Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking public comment on its proposal to acquire approximately 97 acres of private land along the West Fork of the Bitterroot River in Ravalli County, for creation of the C. Ben White Memorial Fishing Access Site (FAS). The site is located approximately 22 miles downstream of Painted Rocks Reservoir and approximately 3 miles upstream of the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River. The proposed FAS would provide recreational river access to the West Fork. The property encompasses a variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats that provide resources for a wide range of fish and wildlife species. As such, the property offers diverse hunting, angling, and wildlife-watching opportunities. Approximately a half mile of the main stem of the West Fork flows through the property, with an additional half mile of side channels and 68 acres of associated riparian habitat. The riparian habitat includes 56 acres of mixed cottonwood and ponderosa pine riparian forest and 12 acres of willow thickets, gravel bars, and river channel. The upland portion of the property consists of approximately 19 acres of open, large-diameter ponderosa pine forest connected to Bitterroot National Forest (BNF) lands owned by the US Forest Service (USFS)
The proposed FAS would expand the currently leased W. W. White Memorial FAS and permanently protect access, recreation, and wildlife values at the gateway of the West Fork canyon. Proposed FAS developments include expanded day-use improvements, a small campground with 1-3 sites, river-bottom and upland parking areas, 2 vault latrines, and walking trails. The existing boat-launch area would mostly remain the same with possible minor improvements. Fishing, hunting, and wildlife-watching opportunities would increase as a result of the additional acreage.
The Bitterroot River and its forks are blue-ribbon trout waters and experience heavy use by anglers, floaters and other recreationists throughout the year. The West Fork is open annually to angling from the third Saturday in May through November 30th, with extended catch-and-release angling for trout during the remainder of the year1. The West Fork experiences heavy use by anglers especially between the months of April and October. The primary game fish on the West Fork are westslope cutthroat, brown, and rainbow trout as well as mountain whitefish. Brook and bull trout are also present but are rare. Common non-game fish species include largescale sucker, longnose dace, and slimy sculpin. The West Fork is a stronghold for westslope cutthroat trout, a state Species of Concern (SOC) and provides habitat for federally threatened (under the Endangered Species Act) bull trout.
Wetlands and riparian areas are some of the most biologically rich yet threatened habitat types in Montana, and western North America as a whole. The portion of the West Fork within the proposed FAS is still capable of lateral channel migration due to limited development and a relatively wide floodplain. The migration of the river creates favorable conditions for willow and cottonwood growth, develops side channels and backwaters that support rich aquatic and terrestrial life, and maintains a relatively large and accessible section of river for anglers, floaters, and wildlife watchers to enjoy. In the spring, high water dissipates energy in this portion of the river by filling the backwaters and flowing through side channels. This process maintains a healthy river-bottom ecosystem by depositing fresh gravel and providing protection for aquatic and terrestrial species from high waters. Additionally, this process is critical for helping reduce flooding of human structures and alleviating abnormal rates of erosion downstream.
The property is currently owned by the White Family, the Dickman Family, and the Stomberg Family, who have a strong desire to see the property protected and placed in the public domain. According to Tory Ritter, FWP non-game wildlife biologist and land specialist, the Bitter Root Land Trust has been working with the landowners for nearly 10 years on a conservation outcome for this property. The name of the site pays tribute to the owners’ special connection to the land. The property is under imminent threat of development given its prime location in a popular recreation corridor, adjacent and nearby residential development, and the access it provides to the river and USFS land. The current landowners have received multiple offers from private buyers but opted to give FWP the opportunity to acquire the land instead because they want to see the land protected and open to the public.
The total cost of the land purchase and development is estimated at $850,000. About $420,000 has already been committed to the project including $70,000 from the FWP FAS program, $50,000 from the FWP Access to Public Lands Program, and $300,000 from the current landowners. FWP is seeking an additional $250,000 from the Ravalli County Open Lands Bond Program and “beating the bushes” for the additional funds.
A draft environmental assessment (EA) for this proposal is available for public review and comment. The EA may be obtained by mail from Region 2 FWP, 3201 Spurgin Rd., Missoula 59804; phoning 406-542-5500; emailing shrose@mt.gov; or viewing FWP’s Internet website http://fwp.mt.gov (“News,” then “Recent Public Notices,” beginning February 27). Comments may be made online on the EA webpage or submitted by mail or email to the addresses above. Comments must be received by FWP no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 27, 2020.
Regional Supervisor Randy Arnold said he expects to issue the Decision Notice for this EA soon after the end of the comment period. The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has the final decision-making authority for FWP land acquisition proposals, and we expect this proposal to be presented for a decision at its meeting in June 2020. (Please check the “Commission” link on FWP’s webpage for the June 2020 meeting date and location; an agenda will be posted online 1-2 weeks prior to the meeting.) Approval would also be necessary from the Montana Board of Land Commissioners, potentially at its July 2020 meeting. Go to webpagehttp://dnrc.mt.gov/landboard for more information.