Decision Notice: Pyrenees Rescue Center Trust Private Pond Application
Aug 6, 2024 10:25 AM
A landowner applied for a private fish pond license and proposed to stock Yellowstone cutthroat trout. The pond is located on private land near Barlow Creek, which is a tributary to West Red Lodge Creek. The pond is supplied by groundwater sources and contains a domestic groundwater water right for fishery purposes (43D 30018332). The private pond is approximately 0.3 surface acres and approximately 1.2 miles southeast of Luther, Carbon County, Montana. The outlet of the pond is a screened (~¾” mesh) 10” culvert pipe with a two-foot drop. In addition, it is an earthen dam pond and fish escapement is likely during both normal operations and high flow events. Fish surveys in West Red Lodge Creek have documented both non-native sport fish (e.g., brown trout, brook trout) and native Yellowstone cutthroat trout in the east fork of West Red Lodge Creek. Although non-native salmonids are present, the fisheries management goals for this drainage include reducing the numbers of rainbow, brown, and brook trout where Yellowstone cutthroat trout could be negatively affected. The risks with stocking the pond with hatchery-reared Yellowstone cutthroat trout is minimal as escapement is likely but Barlow Creek experiences intermittent flows in drier years.
The project is sponsored by the private landowner, and the license would be active for a period of 10 years from the year of issuance (2024). The license can be renewed for additional 10-year intervals at the end of each term, and the license is transferable. Private landowner would stock pond upon approval of the private pond license application.
Based on the environmental review provided in the Draft EA, and in accordance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies, FWP determined the proposed action (Alternative 2), will not have significant adverse impacts on the human environment associated with the proposed action and constitutes a reasonable and appropriate strategy to achieve identified objectives. Therefore, preparation of an EIS is unnecessary. FWP hereby adopts the Draft EA as final and approves the Alternative 2, the proposed action.
With this DN, FWP hereby adopts the Final EA, without modifications, and approves the proposed action.