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Montana DNRC Forested State Trust Lands
Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)
Citizen Involvement
Citizen involvement is an important part of the HCP planning process and is further described through the Citizen Participation Plan. Montana DNRC considers all public input and works hard to be responsive to public comment while remaining responsible to the Trust Land Management Division Mission. Public comments are welcome throughout the development of the EIS/HCP, but are most helpful when submitted during designated public comment periods.
Beginning April 28, 2003, the DNRC and the USFWS held a 60-day scoping period for the proposed HCP and EIS to gather public comments on the proposed action. The information collected from scoping was used to help determine if the species list for the HCP was adequate, whether the Permit period of 50 years was acceptable, if the proposed forest management activities were sufficiently addressed, and whether the geographic range for the HCP was appropriate. Comments acquired from scoping were used to identify resource information to be included in the EIS, key issues, and proposed alternatives. The scoping report summarizes comments received during the public and internal scoping meetings, and from letters sent to the DNRC and USFWS.
In October 2005, the DNRC held a 45-day public review period to allow interested parties to review and comment on the conservation strategies. The purpose of the public review was to identify areas of concern with the strategies prior to the completion of the Draft HCP. Public comments were used to revise the conservation strategies and to formulate the EIS alternatives. (Public Meeting Notes and Letters)
In January 2009, the DNRC notified all parties on the scoping list as well as Tribal Nations that the Draft HCP/EIS would be published in the coming months for public review. The January correspondence provided an overview of the HCP and informed interested parties how to obtain a copy. (January 2009 Mailing)
Between June 26 and October 9, 2009 citizens had the opportunity to review and comment on the Draft EIS/HCP. The public was invited to attend public meetings in Kalispell, Helena, and Missoula. Along with the comments made during these meetings, nearly 170 unique comment letters and emails were received during the 90-day Draft EIS/HCP review period.
Between September 17th and November 16th, citizens had the opportunity to review the Final EIS/HCP. Changes between the Draft and Final documents are summarized in the preface to the Final EIS/HCP and responses to comments on the Draft EIS/HCP are provided in full in a new appendix to the Final EIS/HCP (Appendix G).
During the Final EIS/HCP review period, 37 unique comment letters were received. Three of the 37 unique letters were form letters. We received 177 submissions of the Defenders of Wildlife inspired form letter and 256 submissions of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) inspired form letter. Additionally, 67 individuals submitted letters expressing concerns over the same issues raised by Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC). Comment letters on the Final EIS/HCP are available for review. The agencies have also posted draft responses to comments on the Final EIS/HCP.
Both agencies are currently developing their Records of Decision, which will be made available to the public once completed.
If you would like to be included in the distribution of project documents and updates, send your name, mailing address and email address or call 406/542-4300.
If you would like to be included in the distribution of project documents and updates, or to receive a cd copy of the Final EIS/HCP, send your name, mailing address and email address or call 406/542-4300.
