1 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 Montana ...................................................................................... 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 .......................................................................