BEFORE THE Department of FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 12.3.109, 12.3.110, and 12.3.111 pertaining to disease management

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NOTICE OF AMENDMENT

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

1. On August 18, 2017, the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks published MAR Notice No. 12-474 pertaining to the public hearing on the proposed amendment of the above-stated rules at page 1328 of the 2017 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 16.

 

2. The department has amended the above-stated rules as proposed.

 

3. The department has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received. A summary of the comments received and the department's responses are as follows:

 

COMMENT #1: The department received a comment in support of the proposed amendments, stating that the proposed amendments clarify existing authority for wildlife management and will help address elk disease transmission.

 

RESPONSE #1: The department agrees that the proposed amendments address FWP authority for wildlife management. However, FWP's management objectives do not directly address reducing brucellosis transmission between elk. This direction by FWP reflects one of the primary objectives identified by FWP's citizen work group which was to reduce transmission between elk and livestock (not between elk and other elk).

 

 

/s/ Zach Zipfel                                              /s/ Martha Williams

Zach Zipfel                                                   Martha Williams

Rule Reviewer                                             Director

                                                                     Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks

 

           

Certified to the Secretary of State October 16, 2017.