36.11.430    THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES - GRAY WOLF

(1) The department shall include the following management considerations for gray wolves:

(a) In areas with known wolf activity, evaluate the potential for active den sites prior to start up of mechanized activity of duration greater than five days.

(i) Temporarily suspend all mechanized activities and administrative uses, over which the department has control, in areas that are within a one-mile radius of any known, active wolf den until such time as wolves are known to have vacated the site or it has been determined that resumption of activities will not present conflicts with wolf use.

(b) Temporarily suspend operations if a suspected rendezvous site is observed within 0.5 mile of ongoing mechanized activities. Activities may resume if the department determines that resumption of activities will not present conflicts with wolf use.

(c) Design projects using the coarse filter approach pursuant to ARM 36.11.404 to promote maintenance and development of ecological features occurring naturally and historically that are important elements of the life-history requirements of:

(i) white-tailed deer;

(ii) mule deer; and/or

(iii) elk.

History: 77-1-202, 77-1-209, 77-5-201, 77-5-204, MCA; IMP, 77-5-116, 77-5-204, 77-5-206, 77-5-207, MCA; NEW, 2003 MAR p. 397, Eff. 3/14/03.