Poorman Creek Restoration Phase 3 Draft CEA - (FWP-FCEA-FSH-R8-2025-004)
Mar 31, 2025 8:00 AM
Poorman Creek is a tributary to the Blackfoot River that flows through a mix of USFS and private land. It supports populations of pure westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout. Poorman Creek is a high priority tributary and listed as critical bull trout habitat. Several other Future Fisheries projects were completed in this stream, including fish passage, fish screening, stream restoration, placer mine restoration, and water conservation. This project would address an area with entrenchment, lack of instream and riparian habitat, channel instability, and bank erosion. Approximately 1200 feet of channel would be restored using channel reconstruction, instream habitat (step pools, vegetated wood matrix, large woody debris structures). Tailings piles would be removed from the floodplain, opening channel access. The goal is to reestablish floodplain connectivity and function, improve instream and riparian habitat, correct chronic bank erosion, and restore a self-maintaining stream system. Project actions are expected to increase trout abundance and enhance fishing opportunities within Poorman Creek while also increasing trout recruitment to the Blackfoot River. This restoration effort will contribute to FWP’s fisheries management objectives in the upper Blackfoot River watershed. FWP’s action would be funding this project through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program. The project sponsor is the Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited and construction is planned for summer 2025 to fall 2026. ID: FWP-FCEA-FSH-R8-2025-004.
Public Comment Opportunity
Deadline: Comments will be accepted from March 31, 2025, through April 15, 2025.
Related Documents:
Written comments can be mailed to:
Montana FWP Future Fisheries Program
1420 E. Sixth Ave.
P.O. Box 200701
Helena, MT 59620
Emailed comments can be sent to FWPFFIP@mt.gov