MISSOULA – A U.S. Fish and Wildlife plan that would more than quadruple habitat protection for bull trout in the West is up for public review.
The agency is holding information sessions on the proposal in Montana, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Nevada. Biologist Wade Fredenberg, who held one session in Missoula on Tuesday, says people want to know what’s happening in their home waters. Another public hearing is set for Boise, Idaho on Feb. 25.
The plan would designate 23,000 miles of streams and 533,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs in the five states as critical bull trout habitat. Final action is expected Sept. 30.