Nevada Creek Phase 8 Restoration Project - Future Fisheries Decision Notice
Apr 29, 2025 9:53 AM
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is proposing to fund improvements on Nevada Creek, near Helmville. This project is phase 8 and would continue the restoration downstream. It intends to restore fish passage and natural stream and riparian function upgrading existing irrigation diversions, lowering channel width-to-depth ratios, increasing pool frequency and overhead cover, and implementing a grazing management plan. The goal is to improve fish passage while also improving instream, riparian, and upland habitat within a working landscape. The end result would be a benefit to aquatic species, particularly westslope cutthroat trout. The FWP action would be funding the project through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program. The project applicant is the Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Construction is scheduled for fall 2025.
The Draft EA was made available for public review and comment from March 31, 2025 to April 15, 2025. The Draft EA was posted on FWP’s Public Notice webpage: https://fwp.mt.gov/news/public-notices. The Draft EA was also made available for public review on the Environmental Quality Council or EQC website: https://leg.mt.gov/mepa/search/, by individual request, and through notice to identified interested parties. No comments were received during the advertised period.
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 Draft EA, without modification, and approves the proposed action.
[FWP-DN-FSH-R8-2025-003]
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