BEFORE THE Department of FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS

  OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the adoption of an emergency rule closing the Rosebud Isle Fishing Access Site in Stillwater County

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NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF EMERGENCY RULE

 

            TO: All Concerned Persons

 

 1. The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (department) has determined the following reasons justify the adoption of an emergency rule:

 (a) Human attractants were left at the Rosebud Isle Fishing Access Site, which has attracted a bear.  The department intends to set a bear trap at this location on June 21, 2023, in hopes of trapping the bear, to avoid any conflicts between the bear and humans.

            (b) Persons recreating on the fishing access site are at risk of:

            (i) accidently stepping in, or otherwise being injured by the bear trap; and

            (ii) being injured due to a confrontation with the bear.

 (c) Therefore, as this situation constitutes an imminent peril to public health, safety, and welfare, and this threat cannot be averted or remedied by any other administrative act, the department adopts the following emergency rule.  The emergency rule will be sent as a press release to newspapers throughout the state. Also, signs informing the public of the closure will be posted at access points.  The rule will be sent to interested parties and published as an emergency rule in Issue No. 13 of the 2023 Montana Administrative Register.

 

2. The department will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in the rulemaking process and need an alternative accessible format of the notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the department no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 21, 2023, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Christina Bell, Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701; telephone (406) 444-4594; or e-mail [email protected].

 

3. The emergency rule is effective June 21, 2023, when this rule notice is filed with the Secretary of State.

 

4. The text of the emergency rule provides as follows:

 

            NEW RULE I ROSEBUD ISLE FISHING ACCESS SITE EMERGENCY CLOSURE  (1) The Rosebud Isle Fishing Access Site is located in Stillwater County.

            (2) The Rosebud Isle Fishing Access Site is closed to all public occupation and recreation as signed.

            (3) This rule will expire as soon as the department determines the fishing access site is again safe for occupation and recreation.  This will depend on the extent and duration of the presence of the bear and the trap.  Signs closing the fishing access site will be removed when the rule is no longer effective.

 

            AUTH: 2-4-303, 87-1-202, MCA

            IMP: 2-4-303, 87-1-202, MCA

 

            5. The rationale for the emergency rule is set forth in paragraph 1.

 

 6. Concerned persons are encouraged to submit their comments to the department. Please submit comments along with names and addresses to: Christina Bell, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT, 59602-0701; e-mail [email protected]. Any comments must be received no later than August 4, 2023.

 

 7. The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notice of rulemaking actions proposed by the department or commission. Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make written request that includes the name and mailing address of the person to receive the notice and specifies the subject or subjects about which the person wishes to receive notice. Such written request may be mailed or delivered to Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Legal Unit, P.O. Box 200701, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, Helena, MT 59620-0701, faxed to the office at (406) 444-7456, or may be made by completing the request form at any rules hearing held by the department.

 

 8. The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA, do not apply.

 

 9. The special notice requirements of 2-4-303, MCA have been met. All committee members and staff of the Environmental Quality Council, with addresses provided on the Montana Legislature's website (leg.mt.gov), were contacted by e-mail on June 21, 2023.

 

 

/s/ Robin Graham Robin Graham Acting Deputy Director Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks

/s/ Alex Neill Alex Neill Rule Reviewer

 

Certified to the Secretary of State June 21, 2023.