Future Fisheries projects approved >
HELENA – A historically straightened and dewatered section of Lower Cottonwood Creek in Powell County will be realigned and reconnected to its floodplain. The project also will include instream habitat improvements and upgrades to diversion structures. At Hound Creek, an important Smith River tributary, floodplain reconnection and riparian fencing will improve riparian and instream habitat for spawning trout. These projects are two of fourteen that recently received funding by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission through the Future Fisheries Improvement Program (FFIP). Nearly $581,000 in funding was approved to improve Montana fisheries.
The fisheries improvements include restoration of streams to a natural condition, installing riparian fencing, restoring streambanks and riparian areas, improving fish passage, creating instream habitat, keeping fish out of irrigation ditches and more. Projects will help both native and non-native fish, including bull trout, mountain whitefish, westslope cutthroat trout, brown trout and rainbow trout and numerous non-game fish as well.
This year's funding was paired with $3.9 million in match and other contributions from outside sources. Landowners, watershed organizations, county governments, federal agencies and nonprofits submitted a total of 14 proposed projects. All projects were approved.
Applications for the FFIP summer-cycle grants are due Dec. 15, to FWP's Fish Habitat Bureau. Application forms are available on FWP’s website, fwp.mt.gov/FFIP or at FWP offices.
Any individual or group with a project designed to restore or enhance habitat for wild or native fish may apply for FFIP funding. Applicants are encouraged to work with local FWP fisheries biologists. Landowners and other project partners usually share project costs, extending FFIP dollars.
More information and FFIP applications are available on FWP's website at fwp.mt.gov/FFIP.
Approved FFIP projects
Jackson/Wisdom Area
- Darkhorse Creek Aquatic Passage (Beaverhead County)
- Rock Creek Headgates
- Ruby Creek Stock Water System
Big Sky Area
- Gallatin River Restoration
Great Falls Area
Wise River Area
- Kamperschroer Spring Creek Resubmittal
Drummond/Helmville Area
- Lower Cottonwood Creek Restoration Phase 1
- Wasson Creek Channel Maintenance Flow
Helena Area
Whitehall/Twin Bridges Area
- Parsons Slough Irrigation Change
- Upper Jefferson River Restoration
Bernice Area
- Red Rock Creek Fish Removal Project
Missoula Area
- Upper O’Brien Creek Restoration Project (2nd request)
Other
- Red Rock Creek Stock Water System
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