FWP taking comments on public use fee, grizzly relocations

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public comment on a variety of items that will go before the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission during its next meeting, Oct. 15. The meeting will be held at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena starting at 8 a.m.  

One of the agenda items open for public comment is grizzly bear relocation sites. Montana law requires FWP staff to only release grizzly bears at commission-approved sites within occupied grizzly bear range. The sites proposed are, by and large, the same as the commission approved five years ago.  

Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a rule change that would provide additional management flexibility for grizzly bears in Montana. This rule change would not impact the requirement for the commission to approve grizzly bear relocation sites.   

Another agenda open for public comment is public use and commercial use fee schedules. The public use fees, such as camping fees, have not been updated since 2014, and commercial use fees, such as vendor fees, have not been updated since 2007.   

The fees in FWP’s proposal were crafted after receiving ample public input. They are clearer and more consistent and affordable for visitors,  businesses and staff than the current fees. They also better reflect inflation and the increasing costs of maintaining and managing public recreation sites.   

Other topics open for public comment are:  2027-2028 fishing regulations, Flathead River drainage, brown trout regulation, northern leopard frog relocations, temporary full closure of Kona Bridge fishing access site, Swan Lake motorized use restrictions, and the Bitterroot River motorized watercraft closure  

For more information, see fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/october-2026-meeting. 

The commission is accepting public comment on meeting agenda items through Sept. 24.  

People may comment via an online portal with SurveyMonkey.  Each agenda item on the website includes a survey for submitting public comment. 

Send written comments via mail to Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, c/o FWP Liaison – Director’s Office, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.    

Comments can be taken in person on Oct. 15 or at the nearest FWP regional office.  

The meeting can be joined virtually but requires advance registration. Registration opens  Sept. 30 and closes at noon on Oct. 14. Comment time at the meeting may be limited at the commission chair's discretion.    

For questions contact Jesse May, at 406-444-7826 or [email protected].