Community Briefs

Ice Fishing Class for Women Jan. 20-22

SEELEY LAKE - The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' (FWP) Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program is sponsoring an ice fishing class Jan. 20-22 in Seeley Lake.

This class is for beginning or intermediate female anglers who want to learn the basics or improve their fishing skills. Participants must attend the evening class on Friday, Jan. 20 from 6-9 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. 

 Fishing on the ice will take place Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 21 and 22, beginning at 8 a.m., at locations near Seeley Lake.

 Participants do not need a fishing license as this class has been issued a license exemption. Loaner ice fishing equipment is also available.

For more information about the class, contact Kim Driscoll at 406-529-2763 or email Kim at: kimfdriscoll@yahoo.com.

Registration forms are available at the Region 2 FWP office or on the FWP website fwp.mt.gov under Becoming an Outdoors-Woman. The cost is $25 and includes lunch on Saturday.

For more information about the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program contact Liz Lodman at 406-444-9940; or email Liz Lodman at: llodman@mt.gov

Quiet Waters Initiative Open for Comment

A petition, known as the Quiet Waters Initiative, was submitted to the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission this past spring by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. The petition states Montana has experienced advanced motorized technology on its waterways, which has potentially opened up waters previously thought to be unusable by motorized water craft.

At its regular May meeting, the Commission initiated rulemaking on the petition, stating, in part, the Commission should consider being proactive instead of reactive to the changes in recreation on Montana's waterways to avoid conflicts and protect traditional and safe recreational uses.

Public hearings will be held to obtain public comment. • Jan. 3 at the FWP Region 1 office, 490 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell, Mont. at 6 p.m. • Jan. 4 at the FWP Region 2 office, 3201 Spurgin Road, Missoula, Mont. at 6 p.m. • Jan. 5 at the FWP Region 3 office, 1400 S. 19th Ave., Bozeman, Mont. at 6 p.m. • Jan. 9 at the FWP Region 5 office, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, Billings, Mont. at 6 p.m. • Jan. 11 at the FWP Region 4 office, 4600 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, Mont. at 6 p.m. • Jan. 11 at the FWP headquarters office, 1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena, Mont. at 6 p.m.

Written data, views or arguments may also be submitted to: Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Attn: Quiet Waters Petition, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, Montana, 59620-0701; or e-mail QuietWaters@mt.gov. The deadline for comments is Jan. 13, 2017.

For more information and to view the petition and entire Quiet Waters Rule Proposal visit http://fwp.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/rules/pn_0218.html

Public Comment Sought on Draft Heritage Resource Strategic Plan

HELENA – Montana State Parks announced public comment is being sought on the Draft Heritage Resources Strategic Plan. Public comments will be accepted through Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017 at 5 p.m.

The draft plan addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of heritage sites in the park system, including the seven National Historic Landmarks as well as 25 National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) sites and NRHP-eligible sites. The development of this heritage resources strategic plan establishes program priorities and is critical to improving statewide resource protection, management and coordination among park staff, partners and stakeholders.

On Dec. 14, the Montana State Parks & Recreation Board approved the draft plan for public comment. A 31-day public comment period for the draft plan is now open.

The public can view a PDF version of the draft plan at: http://stateparks.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/board/pn_0015.html

The public is asked to comment online using the following online comment form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/hrsp-public-comment.

If necessary, additional written correspondence may be sent to sarascott@mt.gov or by regular mail to: Sara Scott, Montana State Parks – Region 2, 3201 Spurgin Road, Missoula, MT 59804.

Missoula County Sheriff's Office Call Activity 12/19/16 – 12/26/16

12/19, 12:11 a.m., Highway 83N around Salmon Lake, Seeley Lake: Accident – No Injury.

12/20, 2:34 p.m., 17XX S. Canyon Drive, Seeley Lake: Trespassing.

12/20, 4:55 p.m., Highway 200 west of Garnet Range Road, Greenough: Slide-In No Property Damage.

12/21, 7:07 a.m., 23XX Bear Creek Road, Potomac: Slide-In No Property Damage.

12/21, 5:38 p.m., 1XX School Lane Seeley Lake: Disturbance.

12/22, 10:53 a.m., 2XX School Lane, Seeley Lake: Theft.

12/23, 6:03 p.m., 31XX Highway 83, Seeley Lake: Disturbance.

12/23, 7:41 p.m., 28XX Highway 83N, Seeley Lake: Harassment.

12/23, 7:49 p.m., Boy Scout Road and Deer Creek Road, Seeley Lake: Theft.

12/24, 3:07 p.m., Highway 200, Greenough: Slide-In No Property Damage.

12/24, 4:10 p.m., 23XX Highway 83N, Salmon Lake State Park: Slide-In No Property Damage.

12/24, 11:26 p.m., 1XX N. Canyon Drive, Seeley Lake: Disturbance.

12/25, 1:31 p.m., 4XX Cooney Trail, Condon: Suspicious Activity.