HELENA, Mont. – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is seeking public comment on an Atlantic Richfield Company (AR) draft Wetland Restoration Plan, which is designed to address wetland loss related to mining and smelting-related contamination in the Clark Fork River Basin, Montana.
The draft Wetland Restoration Plan was prepared as part of a Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) settlement between AR, as the Responsible Party, and the Service, as the Natural Resource Trustee.
Under the draft plan, AR intends to preserve, protect, and enhance the largest wetland in the Upper Clark Fork Basin, the Dutchman wetland. This wetland provides a diverse mixture of wetland, riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian and upland habitats, including aspen groves, spring-fed creeks, shrub fields, wet meadows, and riparian willow corridors.
Today’s announcement opens a 30 day comment period, which ends on June 11, 2015.
To review the draft Wetland Restoration Plan, visit http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/contaminants/documents/AR%20Wetlands%20Plan_March%202015.pdf, or contact the Service’s Montana Ecological Services Field Office at 406-449-5225.
Comments may be sent by mail to: Attn: Karen Nelson, Montana Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 585 Shepard Way, Helena, MT 59601, or by fax at: 406-449-5339.
