FWP announces public comment opportunities
HELENA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on several private pond applications, two environmental assessments (EAs) and an emergency closure. For more information, including how to submit comments, click on the links provided or visit fwp.mt.gov/public-notices.
Spanish Peaks Land Holdings, LLC private pond license review
A private landowner is applying for a private fish pond license and proposes to stock rainbow trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is a 0.2 surface acre pond located on 630 Bitterbrush Trail in Big Sky.
The pond is near Big Sky about 1 mile from the Middle Fork of the West Fork (Middle Fork), which is a tributary to the Gallatin River. The Middle Fork contains westslope cutthroat trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. The pond is fed by a groundwater well located at the site. The outlet consists of a screened Argi-Drain control structure. The discharge is perennial and flows onto a vegetated swale on the property with little chance to reach state waters.
Comments due June 14.
Home 40 Homeowners Association, LLC private pond licenses review
A private landowner is applying for private fish pond licenses and proposes to stock rainbow trout and westslope cutthroat trout in two unnamed private ponds. The upper pond is 1.2 surface acres, and the lower pond is 3.4 surface acres. Both ponds are located on 392 Clancy Way in Bozeman. The ponds are about 1 mile east of Hyalite Creek, which is a tributary to the East Gallatin River. Hyalite Creek contains brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. The pond is fed from Hoy Ditch, which is a diversion of Hyalite Creek. This project consists of two ponds that are connected by a small channel. The outlet consists of a screened Clearwater suction screen that flows into a Agri-Drain control structure. The ponds discharge to Hoy Ditch over a manmade waterfall and eventually reach the Middle Creek Ditch.
Comments due June 14.
188 Foxtail Pine, LLC private pond license review
A private landowner is applying for a private fish pond license and proposes to stock westslope cutthroat trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is 2 surface acres. The pond is located on 188 Foxtail Pine Road in Big Sky. The pond is about 1 mile north of the South Fork of the West Fork (South Fork), which is a tributary to the West Gallatin River. The South Fork contains brook trout and westslope cutthroat trout. The pond is fed from a groundwater well located at the site. The outlet consists of a screened Agri-Drain control structure. The outlet of the pond is directed to a vegetated swale on the property.
Risk of escapement is low. Westslope cutthroat trout are native to the South Fork of the West Fork Gallatin River and the West Gallatin River. A conservation population of westslope cutthroat trout exists upstream of Ousel Falls, which necessitates limiting the permit to cutthroat trout. Westslope cutthroat trout could be removed from the pond via chemical treatments or through senescence.
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.
Comments due June 14.
16MT Ranch, LLC private pond license review
A private landowner is applying for a private fish pond license and proposes to stock rainbow trout in a unnamed private pond. The pond is 1 surface acre. The pond is located on 89 Boyer Road in Big Sky.
The pond is about 1 mile east of Wickiup Creek, which is a tributary to Jack Creek. Wickiup Creek likely contains brook trout and hybridized westslope cutthroat trout. The pond is fed from a groundwater well located on site. The outlet of the pond flows into a screened Agri-Drain control structure and directed to a vegetated swale on the property.
Comments due June 14.
Augustine private pond license review
A private landowner is applying for a private fish pond license and proposes to stock rainbow trout in an unnamed private pond. The pond is a 0.02 surface acre pond located on 1020 Stonegate Drive in Bozeman.
The pond is located north of Bozeman approximately 400 feet from Churn Creek, which is a tributary to the East Gallatin River. Churn Creek likely contains brook trout and rainbow trout. The pond is fed by a groundwater well located at the site. There is no outlet for this pond. The pond consists of a recirculating pump that returns water to an inlet channel. Risk of escapement is very low. Rainbow trout are not native to Churn Creek or the East Gallatin River but were legally stocked. Rainbow trout could be removed from the pond via chemical treatments or through senescence.
Comments due June 14.
Westlope cutthroat trout establishment in Rainbow Lake checklist EA
FWP is proposing to eliminate or reduce Yellowstone cutthroat trout in Rainbow Lake over the next two years by 95 percent using gill nets. This is intended to reduce the prevalence of Yellowstone cutthroat trout genes in this population and the hybridization risk posed to downstream westslope cutthroat trout as well as establishing a native trout population in Rainbow Lake that supports a quality fishery.
Comments due June 17.
There is ongoing construction at Carbella Bridge, which is located between the two above-referenced fishing access sites. Various structural components of the bridge are being replaced with heavy construction activities occurring over the waterway.
Comments due June 21.
Lake trout suppression at Swan Lake draft EA
FWP is proposing to conduct a lake trout removal effort in Swan Lake to reduce the lake trout population. The proposed action would be accomplished by FWP contracting with professional fishery consultants to conduct gillnetting beginning in 2025. These activities would be conducted annually until lake trout numbers are sufficiently low to improve bull trout and kokanee salmon numbers.
Comments due June 28.
