"Keeping the public on public lands & waters"
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HOLMGREN FISHING ACCESS SITEFANTASTIC ACQUISITIONIn yet another sterling effort by the stalwart staff of Region 5 Fish Wildlife and Parks , plans are now being formalized for a critically needed fishing access site on the Yellowstone River between Reed Point and Columbus. Long recognized and advocated by PLWA, this site adds immeasurably to the river access in that reach of the river. We tip our hats to all FWP staff associated with this acquisition. These guys are good ! HOLMGREN RANCH FISHING ACCESS SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN December 2009 A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the development of the Holmgren Ranch Fishing Access Site five miles west of Columbus on the Yellowstone River. Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks proposes development of the Holmgren Ranch Fishing Access Site (FAS) to improve public access to the Yellowstone River on State Highway 10 between Highway 10 and the river. The proposed development would potentially provide travelers a new recreation area in South-central Montana and is supported by the Stillwater County Commission. The location of this property on the Yellowstone River, along the Interstate 90 corridor between Bozeman and Billings, with approximately one mile of river frontage, makes this site a great location for recreating on the Yellowstone River. It is within one hour’s drive of the major population center of Billings as well as close to the growing community of Columbus. This property is between the Indian Fort FAS 12 miles upstream and Itch-Ke-Pee Park in Columbus, 7 miles downstream, making this an ideal split between these two sites for a day float on the Yellowstone River. Those sites have moderate use of approximately 1,000 visitors during peak months. It is anticipated the Holmgren Ranch FAS, once fully developed, would be used heavily by anglers both for bank and float fishing as well as launching and taking out both nonmotorized and motorized watercraft. Recent surveys conducted by FWP show that the Yellowstone River in the stretch where Holmgren Ranch FAS is located supports an average of over 10,000 angler days per year. Game fish opportunities in the river include brown trout, rainbow trout, and burbot (ling). Mountain whitefish are abundant here and are also considered a game fish by some. While there are no current plans to develop campsites at this time, primitive camping would be allowed. The site would be open during established hunting seasons with no restrictions since it is a large, undeveloped area that has been used as a traditional hunting area. Firearms use would be limited to hunting only and restrictions to that use would be posted on regulation signs for the protection of both recreationists and neighboring land use. There are two islands in close proximity to the Holmgren Ranch FAS that are owned by Montana Department of Natural Resources. Development is proposed in two phases with the initial development to include site signage, construction of a public crossing of the railroad tracks and new access road, latrine as well as a temporary fenced parking area for vehicles. The final phase is to include a gravel boat ramp and graveled designated parking area for 10-20 vehicles. There is an active Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad line along the property’s northern edge, currently leased by Montana Rail Link. There is a single lane road from Highway 10 across the BNSF right-of-way to gain access into the property. However a new approach and access road will be developed approximately ¼ mile to the west to improve line-of-sight distances in both easterly and westerly directions. FWP has met on site with officials from Montana Rail Link and Montana Department of Transportation and received approval for the new approach location. Additionally, since the railroad’s right-of-way extends 200 feet each side from the center of the track, FWP will install a fence along the right-of-way and property’s border. This property is 31 miles east of Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park and 18 miles southeast of Cooney State Park. Annual visitation statistics for those two state parks average 15,000 to 150,000 annual visitors, respectively. Management of the proposed development includes routine maintenance, control of vehicles, firearms and other accepted FWP recreation area management policies. Protection of the natural resources, the health and safety of visitors and consideration of neighboring properties would all considered and incorporated into future development plans for this site. Public Comment Period: January 2010 Decision Notice Published: February 2010 FWP Commission Final Approval: March 2010 Estimated Construction/Commencement Date: Spring/Summer 2010 Estimated Completion Date: Fall 2010 (Phase 1) Fall 2011 (Phase 2) Questions and comments will be accepted until Friday, February 5, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. If you have questions or need additional copies of the draft EA, please contact Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) at 247-2940. Please send any written comments by mail to: Terri Walters at FWP, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive, Billings MT 59105; or by e-mail to twalters@mt.gov. The draft EA may be viewed on the FWP home page at fwp.mt.gov under recent public notices. Doug Habermann is Regional Parks Manager for Region 5 of FWP. External Article / Resource
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Citizen Initiative 161 is sponsored by Montana resident hunters, tired of battling negative impacts caused by the current law guaranteeing Montana hunting outfitters 7,800 non-resident clients. These impacts include the loss of hunting access and the privatization of our wildlife.
Sixteenmile Creek Acquisition Project Needs Support and Comment. Two members of Public Land/Water Access Assoc.
