Fish Wildlife and Parks Director Begins Review of Land Acquisitions

(Information in the following story is from: Daily Inter Lake, http://www.dailyinterlake.com)

KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — The director of the state wildlife agency says he's begun a review of its recent land acquisitions, holdings and management.

Jeff Hagener was director of Fish, Wildlife and Parks from 2001 to 2008 and reappointed by Gov. Steve Bullock, who requested the review. The Daily Inter Lake reports Hagener spoke with media in Kalispell on Tuesday before a regional staff meeting.

The FWP land-acquisition process became an issue last year when the agency bought 3,000 acres in Hill County for $4.7 million.

After the sale went through, several area ranchers protested by closing their land to hunting and fishing.

The 2013 Legislature passed a bill that would have required public scoping for large land acquisitions and required the agency to respond to comments. Bullock vetoed it.