BRTU E-News
Because there's more to fishin' than just fishin'!
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April 18, 2021
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The River Takes Another Hit!
Last fall, the newsletter covered the efforts by Y-C Properties, the new owner of the Fetch Inn Property, to construct a bridge across the current west channel of the Bitterroot about a mile upstream of the Main Street bridge so that he could access his property on the big island. Representatives of BRTU attended the relevant meetings of the Bitterroot Conservation and voiced concerns about the advisability of a bridge in this very dynamic stretch of river. In the end we concurred with the recommendations of MFWP concerning how the bridge would be constructed.
Another aspect of the YC Properties plans was to install a pumping station at an existing irrigation diversion from that same west channel. If you drive the West Side Road, you can observe the impressive scope of irrigation being planned.
On April 14, Bob Miller filed a 310 complaint with the Bitterroot Conservation District (BCD) noting that the scale of the pumping station greatly exceeded the conditions of the permit, and providing the photo shown above.
On April 15, Bob received word from the BCD that his complaint had been received and that the landowner had been contacted for a mitigation plan.
Following is the message that the BCD Administrator sent the landowner's representatives on April 14:
The Bitterroot Conservation District (BCD) received from you, on the 14th of April 2020, notification that the permitted (BT057-2019) irrigation pumping station project was completed according to the design submitted. It was verified as complete prior to the permits expiration date of 11/12/2020.
Today (April 14, 2021) the BCD received a complaint that YC Properties has constructed a building on the stream bank, over the the previous permitted irrigation intake pump structure (attached photo), protruding out and over the river.
Montana law provides that any person who: initiates a project on the bed or banks of a natural perennial stream without written consent of the Conservation District, is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $500.00 per violation ( each day of violation constitutes a separate violation).
The BCD is requiring that the construction of the building cease and that you contact the BCD for mitigation requirements. If you fail to contact the BCD, this matter will be turned over to the Ravalli County Attorney for the assessment of the above stated penalty.
A consultant for Y-C Properties responded as follows:
Thank you for your recent correspondence. I spoke with you and Jeff to determine the best course of action to resolve the 310 and floodplain violation. I left a message for Rob Lively. I also spoke with my client and his manager. My client will have the structure removed as soon as a 310 permit can be issued. I will have an application in by Friday hopefully. I will begin working on the 310 permit per Jeff's recommendation in the morning. I am sorry for any misunderstanding by my client. It was there understanding no permanent structure could be built and they thought this pump house/storage structure wasn't a permanent structure. It is not anchored in with concrete footings or a slab so it can be removed with very little disturbance. Again, I apologize for any misunderstanding and we will immediately start on the permit to resolve the complaint and violation. Thank you for you understanding.
Thanks to Bob Miller for observing this violation and following through with an official 310 complaint. BRTU will attend the BCD meeting where this complaint is presented.
The TSA has signs posted all over airports that read "If you see something, say something." The same thing holds true on the river. If you observe a possible violation like a new colossal pumping station, take a picture and file a complaint with the BCD. The BCD will take it seriously and undo the damage as best it can.
On the other hand, if you see a logjam, contact Kent Myers and let the Woody Debris Task Force deal with it legally. Don't break the law by playing Paul Bunyan.
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Landscaper Scott Koppes demonstrates proper planting technique while TU Project Manager Christine Brissette and landowner Skip Tzschantz look on.
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Bitterroot Bugger Ty Balser and his dad Craig wrestle with a piece of landscaping fabric.
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Gird Creek Project Gets It Done!!
On last Saturday - the prettiest day of the year-, a crowd of TU volunteers gathered on the east side property of Skip Tschantz for a small stream project on Gird Creek. The aim is to create fish habitat by planting creekside vegetation and also to plant some species like chokecherries that will attract a variety of birds.
The project was a joint effort coordinated by the landowner, TU Project Manager Christine Brissette, and Teller Wildlife Refuge Executive Director Sam Lawry. Skip wanted to do something to benefit the reach of Gird Creek that crossed his property. With the able assistance and skilled labor of expert landscaper Scott Koppes, the project was designed and the ground prepped so that the volunteers organized by BRTU VP Dave Ward could bed the osiers, chokecherries and other plants, and protect them with landscaping fabric. Among the volunteers were Bitterroot Buggers Ty and Jadie Balser, TU Intern Grant Flamming and his wife Rachael.
Thanks to the bird habitat expertise of Sam Lawry, the experience of Scott, and Skip's vision, the project will be more than a simple streamside willow planting
After the work was done, Skip provided a terrific lunch and the entire group gathered outside the barn admiring the view and projecting how in a few years the bare stream would have shade, birds, and maybe even a few trout.
Few creeks on the eastside of the valley have been battered as badly as Gird Creek. This stream which heads in the Sapphires has been overgrazed, channelized, straightened, rerouted and just about everything else you can imagine. Having worked on this segment of Gird Creek, our imagination was piqued about opportunities to restore additional stretches of Gird Creek, perhaps one day connecting it all the way from Skip's place to the Teller Wildlife Refuge.
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At long last and just in time for the 2021 fishing season, the new BRTU caps and drybags have arrived.
BRTU Vice President Dave Ward reports that the new BRTU soft cotton caps are now available in 5 pleasing colors.
As you can see from inspecting our professional models, one size fits all. However, we were unable to perfect a canine version.
Included with each hat is a small Montana TU dry bag. The size is perfect for stashing your lunch and phone in the boat.
The price for a hat and a bag is just $20.
The hats may be viewed and purchased at Chuck Stranahan’ s Fly Shop in the Safeway parking lot in Hamilton. Supplies are limited, so don't wait too long!
Please cash or check only. Make checks out to Bitterroot Trout Unlimited.
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A shot of the reservoir on April 7, 2021
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A late spring, early summer view of the dam with water spilling over the top of the spillway.
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Painted Rocks: Preparing for Another Year of Water.
Every year about this time, DNRC Engineer Larry Schock and River Commissioner Al Pernichele put together the plans for managing the leased water from Painted Rocks. Because of a decades-long, unique cooperative agreement between DNRC, MFWP, and the Bitterroot Water Users, Larry and Al balance the use of 25,000 acre-feet (the amount that would cover 25,000 acres with 1 foot of water) of stored water for agriculture and in-stream flow for recreation and fish.
On April 7, Larry sent this status report:
Here (the photo on the left) is the current status of the reservoir as of today, and a public announcement regarding construction activities later this summer that will affect access to the area below that dam and modify fall flows in the upper West Fork.
Spring is slowly coming to the basin above the reservoir and the average inflows have increased over the past couple of weeks, from approximately 150 cfs to about 250 cfs, with larger peak flows occurring during the warm days.
The reservoir is currently at 9548 AF, or about 30% full. Outflows are being regulated to insure that the reservoir fills at a slow rate until the ice covering has melted.
Most of the snow at the dam has melted and the snow cover on the ice has started to melt as well.
Weekly adjustments will continue to be made based upon reservoir ice cover and inflows.
I will post updates from Larry and Al. If you would like to receive Larry's updates directly, just send him a note.
Caveat piscator: In late summer, DNRC will be making some major repairs to the dam that will impact users. Larry supplied this DNRC Advisory.
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This week's pictures of the week were submitted by long time BRTU Supporter and Jackson Contractors Group guru Steve Houston.
Readers will recall that Steve, Mike Nesbihal and their Jackson co-workers are not only avid anglers but have enthusistically assisted TU in a number of fish screen projects. They have provided design help, materials and heavy labor here in the Bitterroot and elsewhere, working in conjunction with TU staffers Rob Roberts and Christine Brissette.
They previously installed fish screens on Rattlesnake Creek near Missoula in order to prevent the amazing trout in that stream from ending up in a ditch. Over the last year, it became apparent that the screen was a bit small for the creek.
So earlier this month, they worked to modify the screen structures to accommodate the flow. This involved installing a temporary by-pass of the fish screen and then constructing an adjacent structure.
The upper photo gives an idea of the equipment and work involved to make some thing like this happen. The lower picture shows the completed device. The creek water flows over the screens and some infiltrates to be diverted perpendicularly into the ditch (not seen) while the remaining flow - and the fish of course, - move downstream unimpeded. A great project!
Steve and Mike tell me that largely from their work with TU that Jackson has become a recognized leader regionally for this type of work. How great it is that they have the opportunity to use their work skills for the benefit of their recreational pastime. Thanks to all the Jackson team for their efforts and their continued support of TU!
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This week's BRTU Puzzler was again submitted by the peripatetic Seth Cooley from Lolo. The cool pack bridge is located within a 75 mile radius of Lolo Hot Springs either in Idaho or Montana.
It you can correctly identify the name and location of the bridge and what makes it so special, you will win this week's BRTU Puzzler.
Chuck Stranahan has generously offered a prize to all winners of the BRTU Puzzler. Morgan will be able claim a prize of hand-tied trout flies by contacting Chuck.
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Monte Dolack BRTU prints
now available at Joe's Studio.
A small number of Publisher's Proofs of the limited edition "Bitterroot River-Lost Horse Bend" by Monte Dolack are now available at Joe's Studio. BRTU commissioned Monte Dolack in 2007 to create this iconic print of the Bitterroot River.
The remaining Publisher's Proofs are $375 and all proceeds support BRTU efforts to protect trout and streams.
Joe's Studio, a regular sponsor of our banquets, is located in Hamilton at 220 Marcus Street (961-4586, joesstudio@aol.com)
The "U" in BRTU
Unlike many groups, BTRU has no paid staff. We are an entirely volunteer organization. We are always looking for new members to get involved in projects or to join our board and assist with maintaining our focus on native fish, clean healthy streams and education. If you would like to help out, please contact BRTU Chapter President Jeremy Anderson. We could sure use your help!
In other words, how about putting a little "U" in BRTU?
If "U" are not already a member, "U" can join TU today by going to the the BRTU website. chapter number is #080. If you have a question about your membership, please call Clayton at 406-543-0054.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BRTU board meetings are now being held virtually on ZOOM. They are open to all BRTU members. Date and time vary, so please contact Jeremy. if you would like to log in and learn what is going on.
The BRTU Mission statement is "To conserve, protect, and restore the Bitterroot River and it's watershed," directly in line with the Montana TU mission statement.
For your information, here is a tabulation of our current hard-working BRTU officers and board members.
BOARD OFFICERS
BOARD MEMBERS
Gavin Marston (student board member)
GENERAL FACTOTUM AND NEWSLETTER PUBLISHER
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