HABITAT CONSERVATION LEASE SUPPLEMENTAL EA DECISION NOTICE
May 15, 2023 2:40 PM
On April 10, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks issued a draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (Draft SEA), where FWP proposed to adjust the valuation formula to increase the payment level for habitat conservation leases, which also included a lower payment level for intermingled hay land and cropland that make up part of a lease. The Draft SEA also considered a change to payment requirements for landowners wishing to buy out of a conservation lease for the purpose of substituting the lease with a permanent conservation easement. FWP determined the proposed changes to the program would not have significant adverse impacts on the physical or human environment and the changes would encourage greater landowner participation in the program while also providing flexibility for participating landowners who wish to pursue a permanent conservation option in the future. Through the Decision Notice, FWP summarized and responded to public comments, adopted the Draft SEA as final, and approved the proposed action to proceed with changes to the Habitat Conservation Lease Program as proposed.