The whole world isn't looking grim, here is a news release from the people themselves...
MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - APRIL 16, 2004
PRIVATE LANDS KEY TO CONSERVING AND RESTORING NATIVE FISH
BY - DIANE TIPTON, MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS STATEWIDE INFORMATION OFFICER
Work to conserve native fish habitat in Montana is gaining traction.
On the Yellowstone River and its tributaries, the native range of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Pat Byorth, a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fisheries biologist, is working with private landowners to plan and fund habitat restoration projects.
A second biologist will be hired soon to work with landowners on the Big Hole River interested in preserving Arctic grayling habitat. Both positions are funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Landowner Incentive Program grants.
"Substantial state and federal conservation funding is available to landowners because the conservation of native fish is very dependent on habitat and a lot of that habitat is on private land," Byorth said.
Byorth will work with any private landowner along the Yellowstone River and its tributaries, whether they're considering a $100,000 project or one in the $5,000 range.
"No one needs to feel intimidated because they haven't put together or managed a project of this kind," he said. "I'm here to help from the planning and grant writing stages through to completion."
Two watershed groups-the Upper Shields Watershed Association and the Southern Crazy Mountain Watershed Group-also play important roles in the Yellowstone area and a third group is forming in the Paradise Valley.
"Organized watershed groups are good places to share information," Byorth said. "Sometimes the clout of a watershed group helps in getting grants, too."
In the past six months, Byorth has investigated nine projects. Six are already funded and underway.
One large project on Emigrant Spring Creek in the Paradise Valley combines funding from FWP's Future Fisheries Improvement Program, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Montana Department of Natural Resources, the Park Conservation District and others.
The result for the rancher will be valuable irrigation upgrades, riparian fencing, and off-site water development for livestock.
For cutthroat trout, the gains will include 2,500 feet of restored stream channel, improved spawning habitat and fish passage into and out of a natural spring area.
"Along the Yellowstone and its tributaries, there are significant opportunities to restore stream habitats," Byorth said. "We can fence cattle away from streams, rebuild more fish-friendly irrigation diversions, and develop alternative ways to water livestock. All of these projects will improve habitat for the Yellowstone cutthroat trout."
For more information on the FWP Landowner Incentive Program on the Yellowstone, contact Pat Byorth at 406-222-3710 or [email protected]. For information on fisheries grants available to private landowners elsewhere in the state, contact the Future Fisheries Improvement Program at 406-444-5334, or go to the FWP web site and look under Habitat and then Fisheries Habitat.
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MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - APRIL 16, 2004
PRIVATE LANDS KEY TO CONSERVING AND RESTORING NATIVE FISH
BY - DIANE TIPTON, MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS STATEWIDE INFORMATION OFFICER
Work to conserve native fish habitat in Montana is gaining traction.
On the Yellowstone River and its tributaries, the native range of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Pat Byorth, a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fisheries biologist, is working with private landowners to plan and fund habitat restoration projects.
A second biologist will be hired soon to work with landowners on the Big Hole River interested in preserving Arctic grayling habitat. Both positions are funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Landowner Incentive Program grants.
"Substantial state and federal conservation funding is available to landowners because the conservation of native fish is very dependent on habitat and a lot of that habitat is on private land," Byorth said.
Byorth will work with any private landowner along the Yellowstone River and its tributaries, whether they're considering a $100,000 project or one in the $5,000 range.
"No one needs to feel intimidated because they haven't put together or managed a project of this kind," he said. "I'm here to help from the planning and grant writing stages through to completion."
Two watershed groups-the Upper Shields Watershed Association and the Southern Crazy Mountain Watershed Group-also play important roles in the Yellowstone area and a third group is forming in the Paradise Valley.
"Organized watershed groups are good places to share information," Byorth said. "Sometimes the clout of a watershed group helps in getting grants, too."
In the past six months, Byorth has investigated nine projects. Six are already funded and underway.
One large project on Emigrant Spring Creek in the Paradise Valley combines funding from FWP's Future Fisheries Improvement Program, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Montana Department of Natural Resources, the Park Conservation District and others.
The result for the rancher will be valuable irrigation upgrades, riparian fencing, and off-site water development for livestock.
For cutthroat trout, the gains will include 2,500 feet of restored stream channel, improved spawning habitat and fish passage into and out of a natural spring area.
"Along the Yellowstone and its tributaries, there are significant opportunities to restore stream habitats," Byorth said. "We can fence cattle away from streams, rebuild more fish-friendly irrigation diversions, and develop alternative ways to water livestock. All of these projects will improve habitat for the Yellowstone cutthroat trout."
For more information on the FWP Landowner Incentive Program on the Yellowstone, contact Pat Byorth at 406-222-3710 or [email protected]. For information on fisheries grants available to private landowners elsewhere in the state, contact the Future Fisheries Improvement Program at 406-444-5334, or go to the FWP web site and look under Habitat and then Fisheries Habitat.
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