Water Birch Fishing Access Site Camp Area Expansion - Draft EA

Water Birch FAS has been and is an increasingly popular destination for anglers and campers. This site provides access to quality trout fishing in Rock Creek and is used by anglers year-round. Proximity to Red Lodge, Billings, Beartooth Highway, and Yellowstone National Park increases the use of the site particularly in summer months and nearly year-round use by campers. This area also serves as a day use site for many people traveling who are looking for a picnic area, rest stop, or to participate in other outdoor activities including birdwatching, dog walking, and angling to name a few.

Rock Creek channel migration occurred in and near Water Birch FAS over several years. The channel migration resulted in the loss of five of nine campsites and removal and replacement of one of the two latrines at the site.

This proposed action would develop five additional campsites to replace the five lost sites. The action would require construction of road and turnouts with much of the road built on an elevated railroad bed. The latrine that was moved to prevent loss of the structure into the stream would be moved to provide a latrine near the new camp sites. Additional work may include addition of a culvert in the irrigation ditch to allow enough area for the final turn around and campsite.

 

Public Comment

Deadline: March 18

The public comment period will extend for (34) thirty-four days from the initial news release. Comments will be accepted until 12 p.m., March 18, 2021 and can be mailed to:

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
Water Birch FAS
2300 Lake Elmo Drive
Billings, MT 59105

Or emailed to fwpregion5pc@mt.gov. Please use subject line "Water Birch FAS"

 

Related Documents

• Draft EA (PDF)

 

Questions? Contact:

Ryan Taynton at 406-247-2964, or

Mike Ruggles at 406-247-2961