MARION, Mont. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announced today a two-week extension on the public comment period on the draft Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge Pleasant Valley Road Relocation and Stream and Wetland Restoration Project Environmental Assessment (EA) and Section 4(f) de minimus Determination. The project area is located approximately 20 miles northwest of the town of Marion in Flathead County, Montana.
With today’s announcement of the extension, the new deadline for public comments is June 5, 2015.
Restoration work associated with this project would include removing on-stream fish barriers, reconstructing stream channels, improving fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.
Learn more about fish passage conditions at roadway crossings, and restoring and enhancing riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian and floodplain functions associated with Pleasant Valley Creek. To facilitate restoration actions, a portion of Pleasant Valley Road would be relocated.
The project is being carried out in conjunction with the Federal Highways Administration, Flathead County, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Copies of the EA can be obtained in three ways:
Electronically: www.fws.gov/losttrail.
In person: 58355 Bison Range Rd., Moiese, Montana 59824
By Mail: Request hard copies by mail by calling (406) 644-2211 or emailing bisonrange@fws.gov.
Interested persons may provide written comments on the draft EA by letter, fax, or email. All comments must be emailed or postmarked by June 5, 2015 to be considered. Methods for submission include:
Email: bisonrange@fws.gov
Mail: Dean Vaughan, Biologist, National Bison Range Complex, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 58355 Bison Range Rd., Moiese, Montana 59824
Fax: 406-644-2661 Attn: Dean Vaughan, Biologist
Original news release: http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/pressrel/2015/05052015_Lost-Trail-National-Wildlife-Refuge-Hosts-Open-House.php.
