Twomile Coulee Creek Private Pond License Review

A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock rainbow trout, brown trout, and westslope cutthroat trout in a private pond. The pond is roughly 18 surface acres and is located on 48 Pleasant View Farm Ln Oilmont, MT. The pond is an impoundment of Twomile Coulee Creek which is part of the Willow Creek drainage. This pond was previously permitted for rainbow trout stocking but it has not been stocked in over a decade and it is not believed to contain any fish. The landowner states potential of minnow species. The pond is fed by overland snow melt and seasonal runoff in Twomile Coulee Creek. There is no established outlet but there is a slight spillway channel that navigates water into the drainage in highwater events. The overflow discharge is rare but could flow down Twomile Coulee Creek for 1.2 miles until its confluence with Willow Creek. Willow Creek is a seasonally dry tributary to Tiber Reservoir. Northern redbelly dace have been documented in the lower portion of Willow Creek and is the only documented Montana Species of Special Concern. Most trout species are not native to Willow Creek however, risk of escapement is low and associated risks are minimal. Westslope cutthroat trout are native to MT, but conservation populations are not present in drainage, presenting no adverse genetic effects with wild fish. Fish could be removed from the pond via chemical treatments or stocking can be stopped to let the fish age out. 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: Twomile Coulee Creek Private Pond License Review