Bitterroot National Forest, January 22, 2010 – The Sula Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest, is soliciting public comment for the Sula District Fish Culverts project. The project proposes to replace 17 culverts on the Sula Ranger District that currently impede the movement of fish.
The purpose of the project is to reconnect isolated and fragmented fish populations and restore the historic connectivity of streams for aquatic species. The culverts proposed for replacement are: Bush Creek (Road 726); Cameron Creek (Road 1398); Camp Creek (north and south driveways to Sula Ranger Station); Dick Creek (Road 729); East Fork Camp Creek (Road 729); Laird Creek (Road 370); Lick Creek (Roads 432 and Road 5771); Needle Creek (Road 724); Paint Creek (Road 13318); Reynolds Creek (Road 432); Sign Creek (Road 432); Tepee Creek (Road 5778); and an unnamed tributary to West Fork Camp Creek (Road 729; lower Road 729-B; and upper Road 729-B).
The culverts would be removed by an excavator, and replaced with a larger culvert, an open-bottomed arch, or a bridge. The new structures would maintain year-round passage for all sizes and species of fish. The Forest will complete the replacements as funds become available. It will likely take at least a decade to replace most of the culverts in this project.
Public comments on this project are due by February 15, 2010. Comments can be written, faxed, hand delivered, or electronic. Written comments should be mailed to: District Ranger Ruth Wooding, Sula Ranger District, 7338 Highway 93 South, Sula, Montana 59871. The Sula District FAX number is (406) 821-2340. The Sula District telephone number is (406) 821-3201. The Sula District office is open from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. Electronic comments may be sent to comments-northern-bitterroot-sula@fs.fed.us. Comments should include: 1) name, address, phone number, and organization represented, if any; 2) title of project on which the comments are being submitted; and 3) substantive comments including specific facts and supporting information for the District Ranger to consider.
If you would like more information on this project, please call Michael Jakober, Project Leader, at the West Fork Ranger District (406) 821-3269.
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