Public comment sought on proposed administrative rules for Sage Grouse program

The Montana Sage Grouse Oversight Team is seeking public comment on proposed administrative rules to further implement the Montana Greater Sage Grouse Stewardship Act.

“The proposed rules relate to mitigation and development of a tool to quantify both conservation and development impacts to sage grouse habitat, “ said Carolyn Sime, Sage Grouse Conservation Program Manager. “A diverse group of stakeholders has worked hard to develop these proposed rules.”

The public comment period opened Dec. 23, 2016, and will run through 5 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2017. A copy of the draft rules is available athttps://sagegrouse.mt.gov/msgot.html.

The Montana Sage Grouse Oversight Team will host three public hearings on the proposed rules. The public can submit comments orally or in writing at the hearings, set for the following dates and locations:

• January 12, 2017, 2 p.m., Dillon, MT: Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Office, 420 Barrett Street

• January 16, 2017, 2 p.m., Roundup, MT: Musselshell County Ambulance Barn, 704 1st Street East

• January 17, 2016, 2 p.m., Malta, MT: First State Bank of Malta, 1 South, 1st Street East

Those unable to attend a hearing may submit written comment electronically through the online comment form at https://sagegrouse.mt.gov/msgot.html. Comments may be typed into the text box or uploaded as an attachment.

Written comment may also be submitted through postal mail to Carolyn Sime, Sage Grouse Resource Program Manager, MT Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation, PO Box 201601, Helena, MT 59620-1601; comments may also be faxed to DNRC at (406) 444-6721.

The Montana Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program works to sustain viable sage grouse populations and conserve habitat, enabling Montanans to maintain control of their lands, wildlife, and economy by avoiding a listing under the federal Endangered Species Act.