|
November 2006 |
|
 |
5-YEAR REPORT ON FLATHEAD LAKE FISHERIES COMANAGEMENT
PLAN RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT - November 1, 2006
The Flathead Reservation Fish and
Wildlife Board announced that a report on efforts to
meet the goals of the Flathead Lake and River Fisheries
Co-management Plan is now available for public comment.
The report covers the results of the first 5 years of
the Fisheries Co-management Plan and makes
recommendations for mid-term adjustments. The major
recommendation in the report is an increase in the
nonnative lake trout daily angling limit on Flathead
Lake from 20 fish to 50 fish.
All interested persons are invited to review the report,
according to Board Chairman Sid Rundell. Copies of the
Report that covers the accomplishments in detail are
available at the FWP office in Kalispell or the CSKT
office in Polson. He noted that there is a 45-day
comment period that runs through Friday, December 15.
In the report, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP)
and Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT)
present a detailed evaluation of the activities
conducted during the first half of the cooperative plan,
which was approved by FWP and CSKT in November of 2000
and designed to run for 10 years.
The Flathead Reservation Fish and Wildlife Advisory
Board is composed of tribal and state members, and a
representative of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Board advises the State and Tribes regarding
regulations on bird hunting and fishing on the Flathead
Indian Reservation.
Interested persons can get more information by calling
Germaine White at CSKT, 883-2888, or John Fraley at FWP,
752-5501or by sending email to germainew@cskt.org or
jfraley@mt.gov. Comments can be emailed to these
addresses, or sent by mail to FWP, 490 North Meridian
Road, Kalispell, MT 59901; or CSKT P.O. Box 278, Pablo,
MT 59855. |
|
|
STATE/TRIBAL AGREEMENT RENEWED - November 6, 2006
For the fourth time, the state/tribal
agreement on fishing and bird hunting on the Flathead
Reservation has been reauthorized. Confederated Salish
and Kootenai Tribes Chairman James Steele, Jr., Montana
Attorney General Mike McGrath, and Governor Brian
Schweitzer signed the agreement to extend it through
October 2010.
The agreement was originally negotiated by then Attorney
General Marc Racicot and the Tribal Council in the fall
of 1990. It was re-authorized in 1994, 1998, and 2002.
According to Region One FWP Supervisor Jim Satterfield,
the agreement has maintained access to public bird
hunting and fishing and has forged closer cooperation
between FWP and Tribal fish and wildlife biologists. He
pointed out that this close working relationship led to
the successful adoption of a fisheries management plan
for Flathead Lake after years of controversy.
Tom McDonald, Division Manager for Fish, Wildlife,
Recreation and Conservation said that there are two
important issues in regards to the co-management
agreement. The first is that it benefits the resource
and secondly it benefits resource users. Each year the
CS&KT and FWP management partnership has become more
effective. The greater cooperation between partners has
direct benefit for the resource. And people appreciate
the convenience of the tribal-state license, said
McDonald.
The joint licensing agreement has also simplified
regulations and made them more consistent. Funds
generated from license sales have gone for a number of
improvements for fish and wildlife habitat and
management.
As part of the agreement, a Fish and Wildlife Board has
functioned as the liaison between the public, FWP
Commission, and the Tribal Council. The Board accepts
recommendations from state and tribal technical staff
and the public, and then submits recommendations to the
Tribal Council and FWP Commission. The Board is
comprised of three tribal representatives, three state
representatives, and one U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
representative.
For more information on the agreement contact: Jim
Satterfield, Region 1 Supervisor, FWP, 752-5501; or Tom
McDonald, Division Manager for Fish, Wildlife,
Recreation, and Conservation for the Confederated Salish
and Kootenai Tribes, 675-2700. |
|
|
KICKING HORSE RESERVOIR REOPENED TO FISHING -
November 19, 2006
Kicking Horse and Ninepipe reservoirs have been refilled
to the level sufficient to re-open fishing. Kicking
Horse reservoir will reopened to fishing effective
immediately. Ninepipe reservoir will remain closed until
the end of waterfowl hunting season.
For more information regarding fishing at Kicking Horse
and Ninepipe reservoirs contact Barry Hansen or Germaine
White at 883-2888. |
|
|
MILLIE'S WOOD CLOSURE LIFTED - November 30, 2006
The Tribal Wildlife Management
Program announces that the grizzly bear closure area at
Millie's Woods is being lifted effective December 1,
2006. The closure includes all tribal lands east of
Hillside Road, west of the A canal, south of East Post
Creek Road and north of Red Horn Road.
According to Dale Becker, Tribal Wildlife Program
manager, "Historically, Millie's Woods has been an
important late fall feeding area for grizzly bears as
they prepare for winter hibernation. This closure is one
component of our efforts to provide safety for both
hunters and grizzlies in this important habitat".
For more information regarding the closure or for a map
of the closure area contact Stacy Courville, Tribal
Wildlife Program of Frank Gillin, Tribal Fish and Game
at 883-2888. |
|
|
