Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission to vote on two Sanders County proposals

On Thursday, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will vote on a pair of proposals in Sanders County.

In the Mount Silcox Wildlife Management Area near Thompson Falls, the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking approval of a 118-acre forest treatment project to improve aspen habitat, open up forest canopy and promote forest habitat for big game animals along with several sensitive bird species.

The treatments would include commercial timber harvest, hand-thinning and prescribed fire. If approved, fish and game would still need to complete further analysis and gather public input for a draft environmental assessment.

A separate proposal would renew a management agreement between the state and Avista Corporation. The agreement provides for public access for camping, fishing, hunting, boating and other outdoor activities during parts of the year outside the general fall hunting season. Several Avista properties are currently in the state’s Block Management program, which already allows for public hunting access.

“Without adoption of this proposal, FWP would not be able to operate under a special-circumstances agreement and would only provide enforcement during the block management season,” the proposal adds. “Enforcement efforts could be hampered if violators cannot be prosecuted outside of hunting season, potentially resulting in decreased access on Avista lands in Sanders County.”

The commission meets Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. in Helena. The FWP Region One office in Kalispell provides a live video feed of the meetings and the opportunity to provide public comments on agenda items.

To view the full agenda or to listen to an audio stream of the meeting online, visit fwp.mt.gov/doingBusiness/insideFwp/commission.