SPRING TROUT LINE 2018 Newsletter from the Council of Trout Unlimited

Stream gauges on the chopping block by Brian Ohs & David Brooks In the early morning hours of Anglers these Wednesday, August 10th of 2016, days monitor several farmers and ranchers ambled the flows on into a cramped conference room just their local outside of Whitehall, Montana. They streams and were there to meet with the fisheries rivers with biologist for the Jefferson River. The smartphones. Jefferson had just dropped below 50 The same cfs at the Parson’s Bridge USGS stream data we use to gauge, which triggered implementation help us decide of the drought management plan that where to fish the Jefferson River Watershed Council a particular had adopted seventeen years earlier. stretch of Jefferson River, MT Today, as we try to say goodbye to a water is critical long winter and welcome the warm for fisheries days of spring, we accept high flows as biologists, as well as irrigators making providing anglers, biologists and a seasonal right of passage. The May water management decisions. Despite irrigators up-to-date temperature flows on the Jefferson River at Parsons’s the importance of stream gauges, they and stream flow data. Most of these Bridge exceeded 10,000 cfs, a far cry have not escaped the tightening belt of U.S. Geological Service gauges have from those hot, late summer days of statewide budget cuts. cost-share agreements with state and 2016. Montana has 225 stream gauges see RUBY, page 6

Blackfoot River Fund is music to our ears by Ryen Nuedecker & Kelley Willett Trout like logjams; they provide The stats of this collaborative effort shelter from predators and often are impressive: refuge from swift current. Starting this • 153 miles of instream habitat summer there is another reason for benefitting 71 streams trout to like logjams… Logjam Presents, • More than 120 miles of riparian that is. The company recently created habitats restored along the banks the Logjam Foundation and plans to of 64 streams raise and donate $100,000 to Montana • 3,000 wetland acres restored Trout Unlimited, from the KettleHouse • 70,000 acres under grazing Amphitheater summer concert series. management systems The money will go to the Blackfoot • More than 700 miles of fish River Fund and be administered by passage barriers removed MTU. Working closely with the Big • 35 fish screens installed Blackfoot Chapter of TU (BBCTU), • Water conservation projects on MTU will identify priority on-the- 41 tributaries equating to over 49 ground projects, advocacy issues, and with the objective of being a “win- cfs (23,000 gallons per minute) of educational opportunities that will win” for both the resource and private instream flows being conserved benefit the Blackfoot River. BBCTU landowners. Since 1990, the Blackfoot Like the Big Blackfoot Chapter project manager, Ryen Neudecker’s restoration program partners have of TU, Montana TU has also spent stream restoration work will be the top worked with over 250 landowners on decades protecting the Blackfoot: priority. 750 different projects ranging from by working through the Montana The restoration program in the stream restoration, grazing management, Legislature, citizens’ initiative process, Blackfoot, which Ryen implements, is riparian revegetation, and fish screen and the daily doings of the state and a voluntary, non-regulatory program and instream flow projects. see BLACKFOOT, page 6 1 SPRING/18 FROM THE CHAIRMAN "It's go time!" In a former life, I MONTANA TU’S MISSION cross country ski raced. During each race, there always came a time when is to conserve, protect and it was "go time", a moment when one restore Montana’s world- had to put the pedal all the way down class coldwater fisheries and and give it everything through the finish of each race. For Montana TU, their watersheds. our members and Montanans who care deeply about our state's clean, Chris Schustrom Founded in 1964, Montana cold, waters, it's go time to support legacy of Montanan's footing the bill Trout Unlimited is a the ballot initiative effort MTU and for out-of-state and foreign mining our conservation partners began on companies' legacy of pollution is statewide grassroots February 21st. An opportunity like beyond long enough. With your help, organization comprised of 13 this does not present itself often. We passage of this initiative in November chapters and approximately recognize this, and this is why some will truly be a watershed event. Read 4,000 TU members. in the mining industry are mobilizing more about how your chapter, you, and working to distract voters and your friends can help to get from the real issue, ensuring that this effort across the finish line on Montanans no longer have to foot November 6, 2018 in this edition of www.montanatu.org the bill for the clean-up of abandoned Troutline. hard-rock mines and the perpetual treatment of waters polluted by acid mine drainage. A one-hundred year TROUT LINE is published quarterly by Montana Trout Unlimited.

EDITING AND DESIGN...... Jessica McCutcheon Conservation-minded guides give back by Kelley Willett

Printed on recycled paper using eco-friendly Montana Trout Unlimited is If you are a guide or outfitter inks. hosting the 3rd annual Tip of the Hat who wants to participate - either in event, Saturday, June 9th. There will Montana or beyond, call, text, or be a special tent set up in Craig, so email ([email protected]; mobile: © 2018 Montana Council of Trout Unlimited. folks on the Mo, can simply drop off 608.225.2779; their tips. office: MONTANA TU STAFF Led by MTU volunteers, Tim 406.543.0054) Linehan and Brian Neilsen, this has and we’ll be DAVID BROOKS raised more than $6k in the past two sure to include EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR years. Tim and Brian understand you in our [email protected] that guides are constantly asked publications, JESSICA McCUTCHEON to “donate” a trip, and this event and send you BUSINESS & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER invites guides to give just their tips, a paid reply [email protected] for just one day. Nobody knows the envelope. rivers better than the folks on them BRIAN OHS If it’s easier everyday. This is a way to help those to hop online SOUTHWEST MONTANA COORDINATOR rivers we all depend on and love. Photo courtesy Robin Poole [email protected] and give, please If you are fishing with a guide on visit our website www.montanatu. KELLEY WILLETT Saturday - be generous and ask him/ org and note “Tip of the Hat” in the DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR her if they are participating in Tip of description field. Funds raised will be [email protected] the Hat. used on the ground IN MONTANA.

2 Spring 2018 Boots on the ground in the Clark Fork basin Montana Council of

Trout Unlimited’s Clark Fork Program is an ambitious and large-scale Trout Unlimited restoration program that includes work such as instream flow improvements, mine reclamation, agricultural efficieny projects and much more. In this past year, the program has increased their capacity by hiring two more project OFFICERS managers. CHRIS SCHUSTROM, CHAIRMAN Whitefish Christine Brissette, Special Project Manager 862-3440 [email protected] SHARON SWEENEY FEE, Christine joined the TU team with 9 years VICE CHAIRWOMAN of experience working on streams in Western Livingston Montana. With a background in hydrology, 579-7735 [email protected] plant , revegetation design and ecological BRIAN NEILSEN, TREASURER monitoring, Christine was hired in August 2017 Great Falls for a joint position managing TU projects and 240-3715 [email protected] leading our monitoring program. As a project LYLE COURTNAGE, SECRETARY manager, she is developing work in habitat Billings restoration, mine reclamation and fish passage, 671-0572 [email protected] focusing on the Bitterroot and Lower Clark Fork Harry Murphy, NLC Director basins. As a monitoring specialist, Christine Bozeman works across our program to evaluate the impact 580-7115 [email protected] of TU projects. Off work, you can usually find DOUG HAACKE, PAST CHAIRMAN Christine backpacking, digging around in her Billings garden or cooking up a tasty meal. 656-4072 [email protected]

DAN VERMILLION, NATIONAL TRUSTEE Livingston 222-0624 [email protected] Tess Scanlon, Rock Creek Program Coordinator Tess Scanlon is the newest member of the Clark Fork Team as of this spring. Tess has worked with us in the past and is excited STEWARDSHIP DIRECTORS to return full-time to work in the Clark Fork River DR. MARSHALL BLOOM basin. As the Rock Creek Project Coordinator, Hamilton, MT she will be launching a new program in the MONTE DOLACK Rock Creek watershed focused restoring and Missoula, MT protecting its iconic coldwater fishery. She will PAUL MOSELEY Missoula, MT be working with TU staff, the local community, and other partners to identify and implement CRAIG & JACKIE MATHEWS Cameron, MT water conservation, fish passage, and restoration projects in the watershed. To promote and support ROY O’CONNOR Clinton, MT the new Rock Creek program, she will also work closely with the WestSlope Chapter and the broader community on outreach and DRS. ROBERT & PEGGY RATCHESON Hamilton, MT engagement activities. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to get involved! PAUL ROOS Lincoln, MT PAUL STANLEY Clark Fork Program Field Staff: Bozeman, MT/Piedmont, CA Casey Hackathorn, Upper Clark Fork Project Manager, [email protected] K.C. Walsh Rob Roberts, Project Manager, [email protected] Bozeman, MT Paul Parson, Middle Clark Fork Project Manager, [email protected] DR. IRVING WEISSMAN Hamilton, MT/Redwood City, CA Christine Brissette, Special Projects Manager, [email protected] Tess Scanlon, Rock Creek Project Coordinator, [email protected]

Montana Trout Unlimited 3 Chapter News MONTANA TROUT UNLIMITED Bitterroot Chapter Joe Brooks Chapter CHAPTERS

Rob Roberts and Christine Brissette The Chapter’s annual fund raising & PRESIDENTS will presented the Upper Bitterroot showing of the F3T films, held March irrigation system fish screening 8, was another success for our small BITTERROOT CHAPTER #080 project, aka “Don’t Ditch The Fish” chapter! We raised over $3500 to be Greg Chester, Hamilton in our General Meeting on April [email protected] used towards conservation projects on www.brtu.org/blog/ 19 in Hamilton. We completed the the Yellowstone River. classroom sessions for our 21st Annual Our annual Yellowstone River Clean-up BIG BLACKFOOT CHAPTER #544 Bitterroot Buggers youth fly tying was held on April 21 and was a great Scott Gordon, Seeley Lake and fly fishing program. The fishing success. Each year that the cleanup [email protected] and picnic is set for April 29th at continues we are finding less and less www.bbctu.org the Stock Farm Club in Hamilton. large trash, that is a great sign that clean FLATHEAD VALLEY CHAPTER #085 Final preparations are in work for our up efforts are working! Larry Timchak, Kalispell 11th Annual Fly Fishing Clinic for [email protected] beginning adults, a 4 evening class www.flatheadtu.org We have engaged with The Teller Flyfishers Wildlife Refuge for continued GEORGE GRANT CHAPTER #183 MRF completed another successful Mark Thompson, Butte education and conservation projects. banquet & art auction on Feb 25th. [email protected] The Chapter voted to help fund Original art was showcased free to the www.ggtu.org conservation and restoration efforts by public at Paris Gibson Square Museum the Bitterroot Water Forum and the prior to the banquet. MRF joins forces JOE BROOKS CHAPTER #025 Bitterroot Land Trust. Julia Tietz, Livingston with Pat Barnes Chapter May 19th for [email protected] the Missouri River cleanup. MRF will be www.joebrookschaptertu.org Big Blackfoot Chapter assisting in the completion of Wegner Creek Westslope Cutthroat Trout barrier KOOTENAI VALLEY CHAPTER #683 Working with our many partners, Mike Rooney, Libby in August by planting willows and being BBCTU is planning on installing two [email protected] on site when adult Westslope cutthroat new fish screens on tributaries to the trout are flown from MT FWP. LEWIS & CLARK CHAPTER #656 Blackfoot River. We also have two large Mike Geary, Twin Bridges stream restoration projects planned Snowy Mountain Chapter [email protected] on Poorman Creek and Lincoln www.lctu.org Spring Creek in the upper valley. An The Chapter recently purchased 20 rods, MADISON-GALLATIN CHAPTER #024 undersized culvert on USFS land will reels and lines for use in TU sponsored also be upgraded restoring fish passage Kris Kumlien, Bozeman education programs and for loan to any [email protected] to over 1 mile of habitat for westslope entity teaching fly casting or fly fishing. www.mgtu.org cutthroat trout. We will be celebrating Also approved were donations to benefit 30+ years of restoration Friday, August riparian habitat on the Lewistown MAGIC CITY FLY FISHERS #582 24 at the Double Arrow Lodge in Seeley Creekside Park project, Montana Lyle Courtnage, Billings 896-1824 Lake, MT—please join us! [email protected] TU, and Public Land/Water Access www.mcffonline.org Association. We arranged to provide Flathead Valley Chapter a fly casting class to the Junior High MISSOURI RIVER FLYFISHERS science students and will assist FWP in Paul Considine, Great Falls The Flathead Chapter held another their June Youth Fishing Clinic. [email protected] successful annual banquet on May 19 missouririverflyfishers.org in Whitefish. We also participated PAT BARNES-MISSOURI RIVER in Earth Day events in Whitefish on CHAPTER #055 April 21. In partnership with the US Will Trimbath, Helena Fish and Wildlife Service, the Chapter [email protected] with assistance from a Montana TU www.patbarnestu.org mini-grant, is purchasing 33 radio tags SNOWY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER #610 to attach to spawning size lake trout Mike Chapman, Lewistown in Swan Lake. The radio tags will help [email protected] delineate spawning areas for future WESTSLOPE CHAPTER #056 suppression efforts. An MSU graduate Mark Kuipers, Missoula student will be applying the tags and [email protected] tracking the lake trout throughout the www.westslope.tu.org summer.

4 Spring 2018 Big Sky Watershed Corps member works on instream flow

Hello, I’m Riley Stiltjes and I am currently serving with the US Forest Service and Montana Trout Unlimited as a member of the Big Sky Watershed Corps. Born and raised in Wisconsin, I earned my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Geoscience with a GIS minor. After graduating in 2016, I served a year term with Washington Conservation Corps on a restoration crew in Yakima and Ellensburg, which was helped improve riparian areas by planting native species, building cattle fence and felling trees to implement into streams for large woody habitat. I moved to Missoula in January of this year to start my position with BSWC, serving out of the Forest Service Regional office under the water rights and uses team. During this tenure I will be assisting the Forest Service’s efforts to acquire instream flow water reservations for aquatic habitat on national forests throughout Montana. In April of 2007 the Montana Reserve Water Right Compact was ratified. As part of that, seventy- seven reservations were issued, proposed for instream fisheries, and assigned 2007 priority dates. The Forest Service was also granted the opportunity to apply for additional instream water Riley (far right) pictured with his family at a Packers game. reservations. This work will involve stream surveys, data analysis, and application work. I’ll also be attending different trainings across the state, and will assist in various aquatics and stream restoration projects. By protecting instream flow and improving riparian habitat on national forests, my work will benefit both the missions of the USFS and MTU. Outside of my service with BSWC, I aim to enjoy Montana’s great outdoors, whether skiing, disc golfing, floating the Clark Fork, or learning the great sport of fly fishing.

What can you do to help pass I-186?

• Visit www.yeson186.org, contact our chapter leaders, or contact us to learn how to become a volunteer signature gatherer or to learn about signing the petition. • Make a contribution online, www.yeson186.org, or to: • Yes for Responsible Mining • PO Box 1524 • Great Falls, MT, 59403 • Follow, like, share, offer positive reviews on Facebook, Yes for Responsible Mining • Write an op-ed or letter to your editor expressing your support for I-186. • Contact MTU if you, or someone you know would like to help us get our message out. • Tell your friends and fishing buddies. • Vote on November 6, 2018.

5 Montana Trout Unlimited GAUGES, from page 1 Bridge, among others, may be information about the water is continue to press upon our in jeopardy in the near future. like preparing for a Montana Congressional delegates and local governments like the Knowing temperature and USGS administrators how Department of Natural spring day on the river without stream flow information the benefit of knowing the important it is for the agency Resources and Conservation on the Jefferson River that established these gauges to and/or Montana Fish, weather report. You might exemplifies how stream suit up for 60 degrees and sun figure out how to fund them. Wildlife and Parks. In gauges trigger conservation There is some good news. some cases, conservation only to find yourself in a snow measures such as “Hoot squall. Whereas lacking a Montana FWP has managed organizations like Montana Owl” restrictions, as well as to backfill approximately Trout Unlimited have weather report can ruin a day the Jefferson River’s drought of fishing, not having scientific $115,000 of funding for their chipped in. But, as the state management plan. Both USGS contracted gauges that faces steep budget cuts, the information about river the Big Hole and Blackfoot conditions, especially in late will sustain current monitoring DNRC slashing $1.8 million rivers also have drought for the rest of 2018. The out of their water resources summer, can be detrimental management measures that to the long-term health of our legislative Water Policy Interim division alone, some of are implemented by the Committee, which deals with the department’s 43 cost- prized trout fisheries. valuable information accrued MTU has always supported all issues related to water, will share stream gauges have from stream gauges. These address this issue in their next fallen victim to the squeeze. sound water management in rivers are renowned trout the state and is committed meeting slated for May 21st. If Montana’s department of fisheries. Having accurate you care about our long-term Fish, Wildlife and Parks to making sure that dozens information from the gauges of gauges aren’t lost to the river health and simply like has watched a decline in is a critical component of to know before you go, please federal match dollars that detriment of streams and conserving those fisheries, rivers. We have kept in touch contact your local legislators has adversely impacted some especially at stressful times to express concerns with the of their 56 stream gauge with the state and federal of year for trout. Making agencies that fund and lack of future funding and the contracts to the tune of hard decisions about river importance of stream gauges $180,000 eliminated from maintain these gauges and recreation or irrigation are advocating for permanent for the long-term health of our the fisheries division. Thus, restrictions without accurate wild Montana rivers. gauges like the one at Parson’s funding fixes. We will

BLACKFOOT, from page 1 Before federal agencies that oversee and grateful that Logjam everything from fishing Presents is committed to regulations to mine permitting giving back and improving and reclamation. Along with this storied watershed. $1 many partners, we helped from every amphitheater defend the Blackfoot from the ticket, and an amount equal practice of pouring cyanide to 5 percent of gross bar sales over mine ore to extract gold at the amphitheater and 100 and running the high risk of percent of the profit from the the associated toxins flowing new Blackfoot River Fund into the river. merchandise will comprise As long as there is a demand the donation. And if the for precious metals, there will already-sold-out shows are any be those who look to take from indication, it is going to be and diminish the Blackfoot another great summer at the rather than give back and KettleHouse Amphitheater. After improve it. For more information, or to purchase tickets visit MTU and BBCTU are thrilled logjampresents.com.

Pictured right is a before and after of a culvert removal. Big Blackfoot Chapter of TU, DNRC, The Conservancy, Montana FWP & Montana Trout Unlimited opened fish passage to around six miles of habitat on Bear Creek. Collaborative projects like these are improving the Blackfoot watershed. The Blackfoot River Fund will help put more projects like this on the ground. Check out more project work @BigBlackfootChapterOfTroutUnlimited on Facebook.

Photos courtesy BBCTU.

6 Spring 2018 Yes for Responsible Mining by David Brooks

In 1906 Montana enacted the and inaccurate claims that opponents citizen’s ballot initiative process have used in the state Legislature to to allow citizen-voters to make law kill common-sense mine regulation directly, outside the state Legislature, reforms in recent years. Anyone who outside the grip of the mining says this initiative will kill mining industry. The Copper Kings owned jobs or revenue either hasn’t read the both the mines and, in practice, the initiative, doesn’t understand its clear seats of government in Helena at the exemption of current mines, or, more time. Montanans needed access to likely, is obscuring the simple truth. As the lawmaking process. The ballot for litigation, this initiative raises the initiative empowered citizens to mine, we will continue to shell out bar of evidence applicants for hardrock protect themselves by directly making $2-3 million more per year - forever mine permits have to provide that law. - to treat contaminated water, which their proposed operation will not leave has already polluted tributary streams This winter, MTU and a coalition behind permanent water pollution. and public drinking water in the of conservation groups, landowners The “clear and convincing evidence” area. Our tax dollars are also covering and representatives of the state’s this new law requires will make legal the permanent water treatment costs robust outdoor recreation economy challenges less necessary and much less associated with keeping heavy metals filed ballot initiative language with likely to succeed. Finally, this initiative from the Beal Mountain mine out the State of Montana. I-186 has is quite necessary. Current state law of the German Gulch tributary to cleared the state review process. and DEQ permitting include no good Silver Bow Creek and the upper Clark The campaign is now gathering way to stop a new mine from leaving Fork. If that treatment or the Beal the signatures. Once the requisite behind permanently contaminated Mountain waste impoundment ever signatures (roughly 26,000) are water and, as history has shown, fail, they will jeopardize the genetically gathered by June 21, then approved permanent taxpayer funding of water pure westslope cutthroat population in by the state, the initiative will appear treatment. As the saying goes, “they German Gulch, as well as the hundreds on the November 2018 ballot and (shareholders) get the mine and we of millions of dollars of restoration Montanans can voice their support (taxpayers) get the shaft.” Trout don’t work that is bringing the Clark Fork with a YES vote on I-186. This care for permanently polluted water fishery back to life. initiative, if passed, will ensure that either. wholly new mines do not leave behind Those are just two examples of So, I-186 puts before Montana permanent sources of pollution, how recent, modern mines put our voters a clear option for better primarily acid mine drainage and coldwater resources and pocketbooks at protecting trout streams, public health, a cocktail of heavy metals such as risk. Reducing the chance of creating and hard-earned dollars. Just as with arsenic, lead, and mercury. It will similar, future problems does not mean the enactment of the ballot initiative do so by giving our Department of an end to mining in Montana. This in this state, Montanans have used the Environmental Quality the legal initiative will not affect current mines, initiative process in the past to defend means to reject new mine permits expansions of current mines, the jobs clean water and their own financial that include permanent treatment associated with those operations, or interests against risky mining practices. of permanently contaminated water new mines that avoid permanently In the late 1990s and early 2000s they as part of their cleanup plan. Thus, polluting water. In no uncertain terms, did so through passage, then defeat of it will hold mining companies the sponsors and supporters of this I-137 and I-147, respectively. MTU is accountable for implementing post- initiative campaign have been very proud to have helped make possible operation remediation that protects careful to ensure that mines such as those efforts to outlaw the practice of Montana taxpayers from bearing the Stillwater, Golden Sunlight and MT pouring cyanide over ore to extract expenses of treating fouled water long Resources are ‘grandfathered in,’ as metals and exposing some of our after mining companies have closed are expansions of those mines. If a most prized waterways to the resulting operations and reclamation bonds mine can operate in Montana without contamination. We strongly believe have been exhausted. permanently polluting our water, it that Yes on I-186 is the right, next step. should be considered for permitting. Montanans and our trout History and common sense are on our streams need this simple change in Our opponents in the mining side. law. Too often we have seen modern industry are trying to fool Montanans mines impact our clean water and by saying I-186 will kill jobs, reduce pocketbooks. On top of the $32 Montana’s mining revenue, and lead million taxpayers have spent on to more litigation, as well as being remediation at the Zortman-Landusky unnecessary. These are the same tired

Montana Trout Unlimited 7 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MISSOULA, MT PERMIT NO. 569

Montana Council of Trout Unlimited PO BOX 7186 MISSOULA, MT 59807 THIS ISSUE: Stream gauges on the chopping block Page 1 ------Blackfoot River Fund Page 1 ------New field staff, chapter news,Yes for Responsible mining Pages 3-7

SPRING TROUT LINE 2018 UPCOMING EVENTS www.montanatu.org 6/9/18 Tip of the Hat - Mo’ style Come out to Craig, MT on Saturday, June 9. Participating guides and outfitters will be donating their tips to MTU.

6/21/18 Primus at the Kettlehouse Amphitheater Kettlehouse Amphitheater and Logjam Productions summer concert series is in full swing. Get tickets for a show and help support the Blackfoot River Fund. Visit logjampresents.com for more shows and information. 7/15-18/18 MTU Conservation & Fly Fishing Camp MTU will be holding its annual conservation and fly fishing camp at Georgetown lake. The camp is full! If you would like to volunteer or donate to the camp, email [email protected] 8/24/18 Big Blackfoot Chapter Anniversary Celebration Smith River brown trout courtesy Janie Osbourne Joing BBCTU in celebrating 30+ years of conservation and restoration in the Blackfoot River watershed. FInd tickets here: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/bbctus-30th-anniversary-celebration- tickets-43203744563

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