Sullivan-Ramhorn Decision Notice

A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock brook trout, brown
trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and largemouth bass. FWP is required to review the potential impacts
of issuing a Private Fish Pond License. The pond is located on an ephemeral drainage that feeds into an
unnamed tributary of South Fork McDonald Creek. The pond has a manmade dam and is fed by overflow
from a nearby solar tank. The landowner intends to install a screened pipe below the rock spillway as an
outlet for the pond. There is no documented fish presence in the drainage the pond is on, or the unnamed
tributary it feeds into. South Fork McDonald Creek in this area has a prairie fish assemblage. Species
documented in South Fork McDonald Creek are lake chub, longnose dace, longnose sucker, white sucker
and mountain sucker. South Fork McDonald Creek does not provide popular sportfishing. Surveys in nearby
Tyler Creek have documented Northern Redbelly Dace, a Montana Species of Special Concern. It is very
likely that Northern Redbelly Dace are present in South Fork McDonald Creek and the unnamed tributary
the pond drainage flows into.
Risk of escapement is minimal if the outlet pipe is properly sized and screened. The pond is high in the
drainage and will only occasionally see large runoff events that could lead to escapement. It is possible that
trout or bass get washed downstream into the unnamed tributary, or South Fork McDonald Creek itself.
High sediment loads appear to preclude trout from becoming established in this drainage, therefore risks
associated with trout escapement are minimal and short term in duration. Largemouth bass are piscivorous
and if they escape could predate upon Northern Redbelly Dace and other species. These impacts would be
anticipated to have a short‐term impact, as it is unlikely that largemouth bass would persist long term in
the drainage. 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.

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 and approves the proposed action.

Related Documents: Sullivan-Ramhorn Decision Notice