Administrative Rules of Montana Department 12 - FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS
Here’s a refined and well‑linked overview of Montana Administrative Rules (ARM) – Department 12: Fish, Wildlife & Parks:
🐾 Department 12 – Fish, Wildlife & Parks (Title 12)
According to official Montana rule compilations, Title 12 includes the following chapters (regulations.justia.com, rules.mt.gov):
12.1 – Organizational Rule
12.2 – Overall Department Rules
12.3 – Licensing
12.4 – Stream Access Rules
12.5 – Resource Protection
12.6 – Enforcement Division
12.7 – Fisheries Division
12.8 – Parks Division
12.9 – Wildlife Division
12.10 – Conservation Education Division
12.11 – Recreational Water Use
12.12 & 12.13 – Reserved
12.14 – Commercial Use (regulations.justia.com)
📌 Highlighted Chapters
Chapter 12.1 – Organizational
Sets out the department’s structure, jurisdictions, and staff roles.
Chapter 12.2 – Overall Department Rules
Includes subchapters for department policies, public notice procedures, citizen participation guidelines, MEPA compliance, nongame wildlife directives, and land access policies (regulations.justia.com).
A notable rule—12.2.454—details MEPA categorical exclusions (e.g., streambank stabilization, habitat improvements) (regulations.justia.com).
Chapter 12.3 – Licensing
Covers sportfishing, hunting, boating, and specialty permits.
Chapter 12.4 – Stream Access Rules
Defines public rights and restrictions on stream and river access for recreation.
Chapter 12.5 – Resource Protection
Addresses management of endangered species, invasive aquatic organisms, angling restrictions, and waterway protections (regulations.justia.com).
Chapter 12.6 – Enforcement Division
Details regulations for compliance, citations, penalties, and enforcement procedures for wildlife, fisheries, and parks.
Chapter 12.7 – Fisheries Division
Regulates fish management programs, hatcheries, stocking, and habitat enhancement.
Chapter 12.8 – Parks Division
Governs state parks: system structure, public use rules, recreational passes, waterways usage, cultural resource protection, development guidelines, and fishing access sites (regulations.justia.com).
Chapter 12.9 – Wildlife Division
Extensive subchapters include wildlife management policy, game preserves, bird permits, nuisance species control, habitat enhancement, damage hunts, wildlife transplants like prairie dogs/peregrine falcons, management seasons, and predator management (wolves & grizzly bears) (regulations.justia.com).
Chapter 12.10 – Conservation Education
Focuses on public outreach programs, hunter safety, and education initiatives.
Chapter 12.11 – Recreational Water Use
Sets boating, floating, and other recreational water activity rules.
Chapters 12.12 & 12.13 – Reserved
Held for future regulatory use.
Chapter 12.14 – Commercial Use
Regulates commercial operations: rafting, guiding, outfitting, fishing access site commerce.
📝 Quick Summary Table
| Chapter | Key Focus |
|---|---|
| 12.1 | Dept structure & roles |
| 12.2 | Department-wide policies |
| 12.3 | Licenses & permits |
| 12.4 | Public stream access |
| 12.5 | Resource & species protections |
| 12.6 | Law enforcement |
| 12.7 | Fisheries management |
| 12.8 | State park system & use |
| 12.9 | Wildlife management |
| 12.10 | Conservation education |
| 12.11 | Water recreation rules |
| 12.12–13 | Reserved |
| 12.14 | Commercial recreational use |
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