Commission Approves 10 Future Fisheries Projects
Nearly $484,000 in funding was approved by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission to improve Montana fisheries.
Through this funding, an irrigation diversion will be removed and replaced with a fish-friendly boulder cascade to provide fish passage and maintain water rights on the Clearwater River. And, wood structures that mimic beaver dams and vegetative plantings will be installed on Tolan Creek, a tributary to the East Fork Bitterroot, to restore aquatic habitat after the Trail Ridge fire. These projects are just two of the 10 that recently received funding by the commission through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program.
The fisheries improvement projects also include restoration of streams to a natural condition, installing riparian fencing, restoring streambanks and riparian areas, improving fish passage, creating instream habitat, removing tailings piles and more. Projects will help both native and non-native fish, including bull trout, mountain whitefish, westslope cutthroat trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout.
This year’s funding was paired with $3.1 million in matching funds and other contributions from outside sources. Landowners, watershed organizations, county governments, federal agencies and nonprofits submitted a total of 10 proposed projects. All projects were approved.
Applications for the FFIP summer-cycle grants are due May 15 to FWP’s Fish Habitat Bureau. Application forms are available on FWP’s website, fwp.mt.gov/FFIP or at FWP offices.
Any individual or group with a project designed to restore or enhance habitat for wild or native fish may apply for FFIP funding. Applicants are encouraged to work with local FWP fisheries biologists. Landowners and other project partners usually share project costs, extending FFIP dollars.
More information and FFIP applications are available on FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov/ FFIP.
Approved FFIP projects included: Butte Area
Blacktail Creek Restoration (Butte-Sliver Bow County)
Hamilton Area
Tenmile Creek Bridge (Ravalli County) Tolan Creek Meadow Restoration (Ravalli County) Lincoln Area
Nevada Creek Restoration Phase 8 (Powell County) Poorman Creek Restoration Phase 3 (Lewis and Clark County) Livingston Area
Mill Creek Phase 2 – 5 Bar 6 (Park County)
Missoula Area
Clearwater River fish passage (Missoula County) Lee Creek Fish Passage (Missoula County) Lolo Creek Tenant Meanders (Missoula County) Philipsburg Area
Ranch Creek Gratton Fish Passage
