Mill Creek Phase 2 – 5 Bar 6 Draft CEA - (FWP-FCEA-FSH-R8-2025-002)
Mar 31, 2025 8:00 AM
Mill Creek (Park County) is a tributary to the Yellowstone River in the Paradise Valley. It is one of the remaining Yellowstone cutthroat trout strongholds outside of Yellowstone National Park. Past land management included channelization that pushed the channel to the westernmost edge of the valley. Lack of large wood and instream habitat complexity indicates that wood was removed, and the channel became simplified. Despite the limitations, the project area is an important spawning and rearing area for migratory Yellowstone cutthroat trout as it is upstream of dewatering in lower Mill Creek. This project is phase 2 and would continue the restoration on Mill Creek (one mile section) by breaching a historical berm in strategic locations to restore floodplain connectivity, allow side channel formation, and restore natural meadow and stream function. Log jams will be built to create habitat complexity. Reconnection is expected to encourage riparian plant growth. The goal is to improve in-stream and spawning habitat for Yellowstone cutthroat trout and other fish species and to enhance fishing opportunities. FWP’s action would be funding this project through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program. The project sponsor is Trout Unlimited and construction is planned for summer 2025 to fall 2026. ID: FWP-FCEA-FSH-R8-2025-002.
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