Lolo Creek Tenant Meanders Draft CEA - (FWP-FCEA-FSH-R8-2025-001)
Mar 31, 2025 8:00 AM
Lolo Creek is a tributary to the Bitterroot River, which contains brown trout, brook trout and rainbow trout, as well as known populations of westslope cutthroat trout and mountain whitefish. In the project area, which is adjacent to Highway 12 west of Lolo (Earl Tenant campground), the stream was channelized and rip-rapped due to the highway construction. This project would realign 0.5 miles of the creek in a wide segment of valley bottom and relic channel. Wetland and instream habitat restoration and revegetation would be used to reduce flood energy, increase off-channel water storage, and improve fisheries and aquatic habitat. The stream, floodplain, and wetland areas would be reconnected, and a buffer would be created between the stream and the road to allow for channel adjustments. The restoration would be completed in a publicly accessible area and is intended to be a demonstration project. FWP’s action would be funding this project through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program, as well as permitting oversight and fisheries monitoring. This review under MEPA will also serve as a draft 124 permit CEA.
The primary project sponsors are Trout Unlimited and the Lolo National Forest; construction is planned for summer or fall 2025. ID: FWP-FCEA-FSH-R8-2025-001.
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