Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Unveils Updated Wolf Management Plan

HELENA, Mont. —

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) has published a comprehensive final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the 2025 Wolf Management Plan. This marks a significant step in refining the state’s approach to wolf conservation and management.

Key Timeline and Engagement

The draft EIS was initially available for public comment from October 20, 2023, to December 19, 2023. A second 30-day comment period, from February 8, 2024, to March 9, 2024, was added to accommodate additional input from tribes and affected counties.

Alternatives Considered

FWP evaluated two primary alternatives in the final EIS:

• No Action Alternative: This scenario maintains the current status quo.
• FWP Proposal: This alternative endorses the implementation of the 2025 Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and Management Plan.

If approved, the new plan will supersede the 2003 Montana Wolf Conservation and Management Planning Document.

Improvements and Updates

The 2003 document lacks current details on wolf monitoring and management techniques. It also doesn’t incorporate recent research on survey methodologies and non-lethal preventative strategies.

The final EIS addresses these shortcomings by incorporating feedback from the public comment periods. It includes new data and analytical methods to better understand wolf behavior and public tolerance levels.

Director’s Perspective

“This final EIS means the update to the 2003 Wolf Plan is nearly complete,” said FWP Director Christy Clark. “We appreciate the comments and feedback we’ve received on our draft documents from people across the state and country. That input is critical in ensuring we have a plan that is effective in managing wolves moving forward.”

Public Engagement and Responses

The final EIS thoroughly examines the issues and concerns raised during the public comment periods. All new information and analyses received during these periods were integrated into the final document.

Additionally, FWP provided detailed responses to comments received on the draft EIS. These responses help ensure transparency and accountability in the decision-making process.

Accessing the Final EIS

To view the final EIS, comments on the document, FWP’s responses, and any edits made to the EIS, readers can visit the FWP Wolf Management webpage.

Conclusion

The rollout of the final EIS for the 2025 Wolf Management Plan represents a pivotal moment in Montana’s approach to wildlife management. By incorporating diverse public input and the latest research, FWP aims to create a more effective and efficient system for conserving and managing gray wolves.

The updated plan promises to address long-standing gaps in monitoring and management strategies, ensuring a more balanced approach that considers the needs of both wildlife and human populations.

Call to Action

We encourage our readers to stay informed about developments in wildlife management and conservation efforts in Montana. Your feedback can make a difference in shaping effective policies for years to come.

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