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Westslope Cutthroat Trout Restoration (Bryant Creek) and Introduction (Calvert Mine Pond), Big Hole River Drainage.- Draft EA

Jun 21, 2023 4:14 PM

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks proposes to restore native westslope cutthroat trout (WCT) in Bryant Creek and stock WCT in Calvert Mine Pond. Competition and predation by brook trout reduced WCT distribution to the headwaters of Bryant Creek in Trident Meadows where a high-gradient reach historically precluded brook trout colonization. Following the Alder Creek fire in 2021, brook trout gained access to Trident Meadows. We anticipate that brook trout will eliminate WCT in Bryant Creek within the next 5-10 years. To restore WCT to Bryant Creek, project collaborators constructed a fish barrier 1.5 miles upstream of the confluence with the Big Hole River to prevent upstream fish passage. We propose to remove brook trout upstream of this fish barrier using the piscicide, rotenone. We would salvage WCT prior to brook trout removal and restock them once the project is complete. This action would expand the range of WCT in Bryant Creek from 1 mile of stream in the headwaters to over 11 miles and should secure the long-term survival of the population. We also propose to stock WCT in Calvert Mine Pond within the Bryant Creek drainage. Calvert Mine Pond, an abandoned open pit mine located in a non-sulfur bearing bedrock formation, has high-quality water that can support fish and would create an additional recreational fishery in the area. 
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks invites you to comment on the attached proposal.


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Public Comment Opportunity

Deadline: ublic comment will be accepted until July 22, 2023. Comments should be sent to the address or email listed below.

Public Meeting: A public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, July 6 at the Wise River Community Center at 7:00 PM where the proposed action will be presented. Written comments will also be accepted at this meeting. 

Email comments to: jimolsen@mt.gov

Or mail to:

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Bryant Creek Native Fish Restoration
Attn: Jim Olsen 
1820 Meadowlark Ln. 
Butte, MT 59701