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Native fish restoration projects are being proposed for Graves Creek, Crow Creek, Copper Gulch, Fishtrap Creek and upper Prospect Creek. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has identified these areas as vital to native westslope cutthroat and bull trout populations in the Lower Clark Fork watershed because they provide “high quality spawning habitat and contribute to increased juvenile and adult survival,” according to the USFS scoping letter.

Since the areas of interest tend to have few quality spawning areas, the project will create these habitats in each of the designated areas. The USFS Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District is asking for public comments to the proposed practices:

Graves Creek (2-mile reach below the waterfalls) – installation of five to 20 pieces of large woody debris, such as trees, would be anchored to the bed and bank of the stream to enhance habitat and spawning conditions for bull trout. In the first year, only two to eight wood structures would be placed. Monitoring would follow and determine what future treatments would be needed based off this first year.

Crow Creek (Prospect tributary) – bank stability of the lower reaches has been compromised when Bonneville Power and NorthWestern Energy removed vegetation while maintaining two power lines, reducing fish habitat quality. This project, inclusive of channel shaping, introduction of wood and rock structures and connecting the floodplain to the channel, is designed to complement the 2007 restoration which has proven to be successful in improving native fish habitat and increasing populations.

Upper Prospect Creek and Cooper Gulch – the presence of power lines, roads and vegetation removal located close to the streams has reduced aquatic habitat. Installing large wood or rock structures in the stream channels is suggested to create pools, stabilize eroding banks, and improve overall habitat health.

Fishtrap Creek – the USFS proposes to place approximately 75 large woody debris structures, between Beartrap Creek down to the forest land boundary near the Beatrice Creek confluence, to create more pools needed for bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout survival. The junction of the West Fork Fishtrap Road #7609 with the main Fishtrap Road #516 would be relocated roughly 600 feet north to reduce the length of road directly adjacent to Fishtrap Creek. The abandoned road would then be decommissioned, and the created floodplain will have log structures placed to stabilize banks and provide fish habitat. The new road will run perpendicular to Fishtrap Creek, reducing the potential for sediment runoff and allowing more vegetation to grow.

Resource specialists are evaluating any environmental effects that may occur when carrying out these projects. The USFS stated that preliminary assessment indicated that this proposal may be categorically excluded from going through an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement, though a final review will be completed to determine if the project may be excluded.

Public comments should be submitted in writing by July 31 to: Jon Hanson, Project Leader, Superior Ranger District, P.O. Box 460, Superior, MT 59872. Electronic comments may be submitted to: [email protected] (indicate the name of the project in the subject line). All comments should include senders name, address, phone number, organization represented (if applicable), title of project commenting on, specific facts and supporting information to be considered.

For more information contact Hanson at (406) 822-3919 or email him at [email protected].