FWP Agreement Highlights 3,700 Acres In Phillips County

A memorandum of understanding between Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation allows about 3,700 acres of federal land near Wagner in Phillips County to be specifically designated as being open to the public, FWP announced.

According to Acting FWP Region 6 Hunting Access Coordinator Tim Potter Jr., the new 20-year agreement covers federal lands associated with Reclamation’s Milk River Project.

The Milk River Project was authorized by Congress for the primary purpose of irrigation, but the Project also provides incidental benefits for public recreation, fish and wildlife and flood control along the Hi-Line.

Provisions are included in the agreement to allow it be renewed for an additional 20 years later if both parties concur.

“The South Phillips BOR signing project will be the first of many projects FWP and Reclamation would like to pursue,” Potter explained.

The agreement allows FWP employees to install, monitor, and maintain signs along these

Reclamation lands to facilitate public access for hunting and other recreational use.

FWP will be responsible for all related planning, development, purchasing, and operation and maintenance activities associated with the new public signing project.

“This agreement will allow multiple signs to be placed on the Reclamation lands that will help hunters and other recreationists know for sure when they are on public property in the area,” Potter said. “Maps of the lands will be available through FWP’s Region 6 offices.”