Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, is seeking public comment for a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the South Fork of Coal Creek Habitat Enhancement Project. FWP proposes to implement a project to increase available spawning and rearing habitat for westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout by adding large, woody debris into an impaired section of the South Fork of Coal Creek in Flathead County. The draft is out for a 21-day public review through 5:00 p.m., Friday, June 28, 2013. Contact person: FWP Fisheries Biologist Amber Steed, (406) 751-4541 or e-mail to asteed@mt.gov.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 06/07/2013)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region One, is seeking public comment for a supplemental environmental assessment (EA) for a Permit Application from Flathead County for Boat Ramp Construction on Church Slough in Flathead County. In October 2009, Flathead County submitted an application for a 124 permit pursuant to the Montana Stream Protection Act to FWP in preparation for the development of a boat ramp at Church Slough. In response to the application, FWP prepared an environmental assessment (EA) pursuant to the Montana Environmental Policy Act and Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM). FWP’s review of the county’s design plan was to determine if the plan was technically sufficient and if the project would adversely affect any fish or wildlife habitat in accordance with the Stream Protection Act. In February 2010 FWP distributed the EA for public review, in April 2010 FWP published the decision notice, in June 2010 a lawsuit was filed to challenge FWP's decision, in June 2012 the county boat ramp was closed by court order, and in January 2013 FWP was remanded to District Court to complete a supplemental MEPA Analysis document. This document focuses on the directions set forth in the remand order by Flathead District Court, which requires FWP to analyze a new alternative that was not included in the 2010 EA and complete a more comprehensive analysis of secondary and cumulative impacts of the proposed action. The significance of those impacts to the human environment, both beneficial and adverse, is determined by using the criteria described in ARM 12-2-431(a-g). Public review and comments are requested on the supplemental components including the new alternative (Alternative C) and analysis of secondary and cumulative impacts for all alternatives. The draft is out for a 30-day public review through July 4, 2013. Comments should be mailed to Church Slough Supplemental EA, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, 490 N Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901, or e-mail comments to mdeleray@mt.gov.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 06/03/2013)

The enclosed Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for a proposal for Assisted Recolonization of Arctic grayling into eleven locations, in the upper mainstem Big Hole River, Governor Creek, and Warm Springs Creek [Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA) Management Segments A and B (Figures 1 and 2)]. The method would involve using Remote Site Incubators (RSIs) to hatch Arctic grayling eggs from the Big Hole River conservation brood stock directly into upstream sections of the mainstem Big Hole River and tributaries to expand the current distribution of grayling in the Big Hole River system. This EA is available for review in Helena at FWP’s Headquarters, the State Library, and the Environmental Quality Council. It also may be obtained from FWP at the address provided above, or viewed on FWP’s internet website: http://www.fwp.mt.gov . Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites you to comment on the attached proposal. Public comment will be accepted until April 8 at 5:00 pm.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 03/08/2013)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project calling for the repair of a structurally failing bridge located on South Woodward Creek. The abutments on this bridge are failing and there is a risk of mass wasting and subsequent delivery of a substantial quantity of fine sediment into the stream. South Woodward Creek, a tributary located in the Swan River drainage, is an important spawning and rearing tributary for Swan Lake bull trout. This potential influx of sediment could smother bull trout spawning and rearing habitat. The project site is located approximately 12 miles east of the town of Polson in Lake County. The property, currently owned by The Nature Conservancy, is in the process of being conveyed to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project calling for the restoration of a reach of Pearson Creek and the replacement of an existing undersized road culvert with a much larger concrete box culvert. Pearson Creek has been the site of numerous previous restoration activities, including a donated water lease for in-stream flow, channel restoration, riparian re-vegetation and changes in grazing management. The intent of the project is to enhance aquatic habitat in a 1,250-foot reach and to improve fish passage to the upper seven miles of the stream. Pearson Creek is a tributary to Chamberlain Creek located in the Blackfoot River drainage about 5 miles west of the town of Ovando in Powell County.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project calling for the installation of about 2,800 feet of riparian fencing and an associated livestock water gap on a reach of McVey Creek located with a section of school trust land. Additionally, the project calls for installing a bridge at the site of an existing, overused, road ford. McVey Creek is the site of a recent successful project involving the restoration of a genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout population. The project site is located approximately 6 miles north of the town of Wisdom in Beaverhead County on property owned by state of Montana (school trust).
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding for a project calling for the construction of a siphon where the Ward irrigation canal crosses Lost Horse Creek. The intent of this project is to restore connectivity between the Bitterroot River and Lost Horse Creek for migratory fish, especially westslope cutthroat trout, a species of special concern in Montana and potentially bull trout, a species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Additionally, the project would reduce a chronic source of sedimentation and enhance in-stream flow. The Ward Canal is a ditch that diverts water from the Bitterroot River. Currently, flow from the canal merges with Lost Horse Creek, allowing canal water to freely mix with Lost Horse Creek. In order to convey water across the stream, the irrigation district must create a gravel push-up dam that essentially disconnects the stream from the river. The installation of a siphon would maintain a separation of canal and creek water and would allow migrating fish to pass unimpeded in Lost Horse Creek. The project site is located approximately 6 miles south of the town of Darby in Ravalli County.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide funding to secure a 2-year diversion reduction agreement between the Lampert Ranch and the Clark Fork Coalition to enhance in-stream flow in lower Lost Creek, a tributary to the Clark Fork River. The agreement would involve the water user foregoing late summer irrigation by shutting down the head gate after July 5 for the next 2 years. The expectation is that this agreement would act as a pilot project that would lead to a long-term in-stream flow lease. Lower Lost Creek is commonly dewatered downstream of the Beckstead ditch during the late summer, essentially severing migratory connectivity to the Clark Fork River. This project would involve shutting down the Beckstead ditch located on Lost Creek. The ditch head gate is located on the Lampert Ranch approximately one mile south of the community of Galen in Township 5 North, Range 9 West, Section 6 in Deer Lodge County.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)

The Future Fisheries Improvement Program is proposing to provide partial funding to a project calling for the replacement of an undersized culvert located at a U.S. Forest Service road crossing on Klondike Creek with a free-span concrete bridge. The existing 48-inch in diameter culvert is undersized, impedes upstream fish passage in higher flows and is causing impairments to the stream channel. Replacing this culvert with a bridge would improve migratory connectivity to approximately 3 miles of upper Klondike Creek. The intent of the project is to improve upstream fish passage for a non-hybridized population of westslope cutthroat trout. The project site is located on Klondike Creek approximately 4 miles northwest of the town of Lincoln in Lewis and Clark County.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)

The Future Fisheries Program tentatively plans to provide partial funding for a project calling for the replacement of a push-up diversion dam located on Harvey Creek with construction of a rock cross vane. Harvey Creek is a tributary to the Clark Fork River. The intent of the project is to improve habitat conditions for populations of bull trout and genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout residing in Harvey Creek. The project site is located on the Harvey Creek Ranch approximately 3 miles southwest of Bearmouth in Granite County.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 01/15/2013)