We have an important opportunity to shape a new state program directly affecting the long-term health of our river and landscapes in Park County, and Montana.

Did you know that it is currently illegal in Montana to move beavers, even for needed critical habitat restoration? The new Montana Beaver Transplant Program (MBTP) is Montana's first chance to legally put these valuable animals back onto degraded public lands where they are desperately needed, following centuries of removal and mis-management. To learn more about the history and importance of beavers to the health of our rivers and landscapes, please watch last week's community conversation on the PCEC YouTube Channel.

This program provides a powerful, necessary step in the face of increased budget constraints, drought, and wildfire risk we face locally. Allowing beavers strategically into the landscape enhances water storage and quality, wildfire defense, spawning habitat, and overall watershed health—protecting and improving the free-flowing, clean, cold, and connected waters of the Yellowstone River and its tributaries.

To ensure its longevity, sustainability, and to gain essential landowner buy-in, the current draft policy needs to be strengthened.

The policy requires a clear understanding of liability and established funding for compensation and technical assistance programming.
The policy needs to include multi-year monitoring to secure the program's longevity by quantifying benefits and conservation value, which directly supports our ranching communities and our vital tourism and angling economies.

The MBTP is a massive win for our watersheds. To help us support and enhance this program email comments by 5 p.m. on October 27 to thtorrey.ritter@mt.gov with the subject line Comment on Montana Beaver Transplant Program EA. We've provided more tips below to help you write an impactful comment.

Thank you for being the voice for the beavers, wild habitat, and for the health of our local waters!

*Claire Kirk and Leah Swartz leading a field day at a Mill Creek beaver pond.*

SUBMIT COMMENT TO FWP, DEADLINE OCTOBER 27TH

Deadline: 5 p.m. on October 27th

Email (Easiest): torrey.ritter@mt.gov

Subject: Comment on Montana Beaver Transplant Program EA

Tips for Your Public Comment:

Start your comment by clearly stating your support for the Montana Beaver Transplant Program (MBTP) and emphasizing why beavers matter to you and your community for cost-effective natural infrastructure that increase fire, flood, and drought resilience in Park County.

Strongly recommend incentivized, funded non-lethal strategy. Urge FWP to establish a clear framework that incentivizes non-lethal processes (ideally multiple) before lethal action is considered through tech support and cost-share or full cost coverage. We suggest incorporating requirements for:

A program that incentivizes and funds the installation of engineered non-lethal devices—specifically culvert protection, beaver flow devices (baffles/deceivers), and physical tree protection (like exclusion fencing/wire caging) for valuable riparian trees—as these are proven, cost-effective solutions to prevent flooding and property damage.
A dedicated funded source for expert non-lethal assistance programs should be committed to help landowners install these solutions, ensuring that non-lethal action is truly feasible.
A clear liability framework and compensation mechanism must be established to address property damage resulting from FWP-initiated transplants, securing essential landowner buy-in and trust.

Ask for a commitment to funded, science-based monitoring. Urge FWP to commit to funded, long-term monitoring of transplant sites to scientifically show the benefits (like increased wetted area, increased late season recharge, and riparian health), and that the program includes a plan to protect beavers in the donor sites.

Mention the many necessary local benefits added by this plan. State you want this program implemented to specifically benefit spawning habitat in areas often run dry, which will also improve drought resilience for aquatic species, local producers, and anglers.

Living With Beavers