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)

The enclosed Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to evaluate the potential for establishing a bighorn sheep population in the Bridger Mountains of southwest Montana. Like most mountain ranges in southwest Montana, the Bridgers once supported a native population of bighorn sheep through at least the early 1900’s. Bighorn sheep were extirpated in the Bridgers and throughout much of the west around the turn of the century due to a variety of reasons including disease, over hunting and competition for forage with other grazers, often livestock. There has been continued Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) and public interest in reintroducing bighorns into the Bridgers for over 30 years. The current proposal is to capture approximately 30-40 bighorn sheep from elsewhere in Montana and release them on suitable winter range in Middle Cottonwood Creek on the west slopes of the Bridgers. Prior to release a portion of the bighorn sheep will be marked with radio transmitters to determine movements and distribution. In the EA the proposed transplant is evaluated using MFWP’s Montana Bighorn Sheep Conservation Strategy, a statewide bighorn sheep management plan, completed in January, 2010. MFWP invites you to comment on the attached bighorn sheep transplant proposal. There is a 22-day public comment period from November 5-26, 2012. Comments will be accepted until 5:00 PM, Monday November 26, 2012. You are also invited to attend a public meeting on the proposed bighorn sheep transplant project to be held at 6-8 PM on Thursday November 15, 2012 at the MFWP Region 3 Headquarters, 1400 South 19th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59718.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 11/05/2012)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) seeks public review of its proposal to extend Rock Creek Cattle Company’s grazing lease on the Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area through 2013, while FWP explores options for boundary adjustments and fencing. A draft environmental assessment is available for review below.
(Development, Improvements, and Enhancements - 11/02/2012)