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Contents SECTION I: INTRODUCTION ...... 4 VISION: ...... 4 MISSION: ...... 4 PURPOSE: ...... 4 Active NRCS Partners In Natural Resources: ...... 4 High Potential To Become An Active NRCS Partners In Natural Resources: ...... 5 SECTION II: NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY ...... 6 GENERAL INFORMATION ...... 6 PEOPLE ...... 6 CLIMATE ...... 7 AGRICULTURE ...... 8 Conservation Easements ...... 9 LANDCOVER/LAND USE...... 11 Land Description ...... 11 Land Ownership ...... 11 Land Use ...... 13 Conversion of Grassland to Cropland ...... 14 Paleontological Resources ...... 15 Mineral, Energy and Natural Resources ...... 15 Zortman/Landusky Mine Reclamation Project ...... 17 SOILS ...... 18 Geology ...... 18 Soil Associations ...... 20 HEL Soils ...... 20 Hydric Soils ...... 20 WATER...... 21 Surface Water ...... 21 Streamflow ...... 22 Irrigation in Phillips County ...... 23 St. Mary’s and Milk River Irrigation System – US Bureau of Reclamation ...... 23 Frenchman Water Users –State of ...... 24 2

PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 25 Other Irrigation in Phillips County ...... 27 Geothermal Resources and Ground Water ...... 28 Hydrography ...... 30 303-d Listed Streams...... 30 Water Rights ...... 31 AIR AND ENERGY ...... 32 Air Quality ...... 32 Utilities ...... 32 Transportation ...... 33 Public Transportation ...... 33 Transportation ...... 33 PLANTS AND ANIMALS ...... 34 Wildlife ...... 34 Wildlife Management District ...... 34 Milk River Wildlife Management Area (Per MFWP) ...... 35 Animal Species of Concern ...... 35 Greater Sage-grouse ...... 38 Grassland and Sagebrush Birds ...... 38 Plant Species of Concern ...... 41 Wetlands ...... 41 SECTION II---APPENDIX A ...... 42 Appendix A2 Major Streams ...... 43 Appendix A3 Hydrologic Units ...... 44 Appendix A4 Sage-Grouse Habitat ...... 45 Appendix A5. Montana Animal Species of Concern...... 46 SECTION III: CONSERVATION ACTIVITY ANALYSIS ...... 48 SECTION IV: NATURAL RESOURCE PROBLEMS AND DESIRED FUTURE OUTCOMES……………………….……….66 SECTION V: PRIORITZATION OF NATURAL RESOURCE & DESIRED FUTURE OUTCOMES ...... 77 SECTION V---APPENDIX B ...... 83 Appendix B1 Local Working Group Advertisement 2019 ...... 83 Appendix B1 Local Working Group Advertisement 2019 ...... 84 Appendix B2 Local Working Group Questionnaire 2019 ...... 85 3

Appendix B2 Local Working Group Questionnaire 2019 ...... 86 Appendix B2 Local Working Group Questionnaire 2019 ...... 87 Appendix B3 Local Working Group Meeting Minutes May 14, 2019 Page 1 of 3 ...... 88 Appendix B3 Local Working Group Meeting Minutes May 14, 2019 Page 2 of 3 ...... 89 Appendix B3 Local Working Group Meeting Minutes May 14, 2019 Page 3 of 3 ...... 90 Appendix B4 Local Working Group Press Release May 17, 2019 ...... 91 SECTION V---APPENDIX C ...... 92 Appendix C Local Working Group Meeting DRAFT Minutes February 11, 2020...... 92 Appendix C Local Working Group Meeting DRAFT Minutes February 11, 2020 continued: ...... 93 Appendix C Local Working Group Meeting DRAFT Minutes February 11, 2020 continued: ...... 94 Appendix C Local Working Group Meeting DRAFT Minutes February 11, 2020 continued: ...... 95 Appendix C Local Working Group Meeting DRAFT Minutes February 11, 2020 continued: ...... 96 Appendix C Local Working Group Meeting DRAFT Minutes February 11, 2020 continued: ...... 97 Appendix C Local Working Group Meeting DRAFT Minutes February 11, 2020 continued: ...... 98 SECTION VI: Targeted Implementation Plans & Education/Outreach Plans ...... 99 SECTION VII REFERENCES for Section II ...... 110 SECTION VII OTHER REFERENCES ...... 111 SECTION VII OTHER REFERENCES ...... 112

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SECTION I: INTRODUCTION

VISION: The people of Phillips County working together to achieve positive, beneficial land stewardship.

MISSION: Develop relationships with producers and partners in groups, provide conservation education, promote improved conservation and invest in it to solve natural resource problems in Phillips County.

PURPOSE: This N