Land purchase proposed for for Kremlin fishing access

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is looking to buy some land at Bailey Reservoir south of Kremlin and is holding a meeting in Havre tonight to accept comments and discuss the idea.

FWP said it wants to purchase about 55 acres of rangeland and 47 surface acres of the reservoir. FWP is seeking approval to accept ownership of an adjoining five-acre parcel that the Great Falls Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited is proposing to purchase with the option of donating the land to the agency.

"FWP acquisition of the property would ensure Bailey Reservoir remains open and accessible to the public in perpetuity, " the department's release about the proposal says.

The reservoir was built in the 1960s in conjunction with the U. S. Soil Conservation Service to provide fisheries and wildlife habitat and recreation areas, the release says. The location has become a popular destination for children's fishing clubs as well as adult anglers.

The FWP release says the department would work on improvements to the area as well as acquiring the land, including repairs on the access road, parking area and boat ramp. If approved, the acquisition would take place this summer, and the various improvements would be completed in 2013.

The environmental assessment of the proposal is available online at http://fwp.mt.gov/news/publinotice and a hard copy may be requested by calling (406) 228-3700.

May 4 is the deadline to submit public comments on the proposal.

Tonight's meeting to discuss the proposal starts at 6:30 p. m. at The Duck Inn in Havre.

Hard-copy comments can be sent to: Attn: Bailey Reservoir Acquisition, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 54078 U. S. Highway 2 West, Glasgow, MT 59230. Electronic comments can be submitted to [email protected].