BLM: Special Rec Permit In Works

The Bureau of Land Management Glasgow Field Office is seeking public input regarding an application for a Special Recreation Permit for providing commercially guided big game hunting on BLM administered public lands in north Valley County and northeast Phillips County.

The BLM is currently in the scoping phase of the planning process, which provides an opportunity for the public to identify issues that should be addressed in the Environmental Assessment. Once the EA is completed, it will be posted to the Glasgow Field Office website for public review.

The new application covers all of north Valley County and portions of north Phillips County, including the Frenchman Creek area and the Bitter Creek Wilderness Study Area.

While these public lands are accessible to the general public free of charge, a Special Recreation Permit is required for any commercial activities such as guided big game hunting.

Currently, four other big game outfitters with existing BLM Special Recreation Permits operate in this area.

Regardless of the result of this action, these lands will remain open to all other hunters and recreationists.

Motorized travel is limited to existing roads and trails for all visitors to public lands, including those with Special Recreation Permits.

Within the Bitter Creek Wilderness Study Area motorized travel is limited to primitive routes that existed on Oct. 21, 1976, and were designated open at that time.

Visitors must obtain landowner permission to gain access through private lands.

Substantive scoping comments about this application must be in writing and can be sent to Kathy Tribby, Outdoor Recreation Planner at the Malta Field Office, 501 South 2nd St., East, Malta, MT 59538 or via email at [email protected].

Questions about this application and the Special Recreation Permit program can be emailed or call (406) 654-5124.

To be most useful in issue identification and alternative development, scoping comments should be submitted by April 18, 2014.