DECISION NOTICE Bergeron Private Pond License Review FWP-CEA-FSH-R4-25-019

May 27, 2025 9:16 AM

A private landowner is applying for a Private Fish Pond License and proposes to stock brook trout, brown trout, and westslope cutthroat trout. FWP is required to review the potential impacts of issuing a Private Fish Pond License. The pond was originally permitted in 2023 for rainbow trout which are still currently present in the pond.

The landowner is currently permitted to stock rainbow trout; however, a new permit is required to add brook trout, brown trout, and westslope cutthroat trout to the species allowed to be stocked in this pond. The pond is 0.25 surface acres and is located at 225 McCoy Road, Belt, MT 59520. The pond inlet is spring fed by ground water. The pond outlet drains approximately 300 meters in an unnamed coulee before reaching Box Elder Creek, which is a tributary to Morony Reservoir on the Missouri River. The outlet from the pond is screened with a wire mesh fish screen that prevents escapement of fish into Box Elder Creek.

Box Elder Creek is a perennial stream that flows about 24 river miles until it drains into the Missouri River (Morony Reservoir). Rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout and westslope cutthroat trout are already present in the Missouri River drainage. Risk of escapement is very low since the outlet to Box Elder Creek is screened. During extreme high water events it is possible water could flow over the dam into Box Elder Creek, and to the Missouri River where all fish species proposed be stocked are already present in the drainage.

It is unlikely any native Species of Concern reside in Box Elder Creek or Morony Reservoir based on sampling data. Downstream of Morony Reservoir blue suckers, pallid sturgeon, paddlefish, sauger, sturgeon chub, northern redbelly dace, and northern redbelly x finescale dace hybrid could be present in the mainstem or tributaries. Impacts to these Species of Concern would be minimal in the unlikely event trout are flushed from the reservoir and persist, given the minimal habitat overlap with these species, the presence of trout already on the landscape, and since the Missouri River drainage also inhabit other piscivorous fish species such as sauger, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. Furthermore, any impacts from brook trout, brown trout, and westslope cutthroat trout would be similar to those already permitted with rainbow trout. These impacts are expected to be minimal given the lack of suitable habitat in Box Elder Creek and downstream.

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.