Nevada Creek Restoration Phase 8 Draft CEA - (FWP-FCEA-FSH-R8-2025-003)
Mar 31, 2025 8:00 AM
Nevada Creek is a tributary to the middle Blackfoot River near Helmville that supports populations of westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout. The project area had past channel manipulations and streamside vegetation removal that led to bank erosion issues. In 2010 and 2017-2024, nearby Future Fisheries channel restoration projects addressed extensive instream and riparian habitat and resulted in reduced sediment, increased stream complexity, improved riparian condition, and increased trout abundance. This project is phase 8 and would continue the restoration downstream. It intends to restore fish passage and natural stream and riparian function upgrading existing irrigation diversions, lowering channel width-to-depth ratios, increasing pool frequency and overhead cover, and implementing a grazing management plan. The goal is to improve fish passage while also improving instream, riparian, and upland habitat within a working landscape. The end result would be a benefit to aquatic species, particularly westslope cutthroat trout. The FWP action would be funding the project through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program. The project applicant is Big Blackfoot Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Construction is scheduled for fall 2025. ID: FWP-FCEA-FSH-R8-2025-003.
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