Agencies approve alpine lakes project
Controversial plan aims to kill trout hybrids in Flathead River drainage
A controversial plan to eradicate hybrid fish from alpine lakes in the South Fork Flathead River drainage has been approved by state and federal agencies.
Jim Satterfield, regional supervisor for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, signed a record of decision on the project this week.
After a 105-day appeal period, the 10-year project could get under way as soon as this fall.
The project involves treating 21 lakes, from one to three a year, with fish toxins to remove hybrid combinations of rainbow trout, and westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Although the toxins will kill all fish in the lakes, treated lakes would be restocked with pure westslope cutthroats.
The purpose of the project is to protect the world's largest genetically pure westslope population. State biologists are concerned that if left unchecked, hybrid fish would expand into tributaries of the South Fork Flathead River, with a long-term potential of overwhelming the basin's native cutthroat population.
A major component of the project will be public involvement and consultation throughout its 10-year span.
"We plan on keeping the public informed as we implement this project," Satterfield said. "There will be opportunities to learn the details of the project and to give input as we go forward."
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will hold annual meetings to provide status reports on the project.
The project was developed jointly through an environmental impact statement by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bonneville Power Administration.
Since it first was proposed in 2001, the project has drawn fire from wilderness advocates, outfitters and some anglers.
Because some of the lakes are in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, concerns were raised about the use of toxins and methods for delivering them.
The plan, as approved, will involve treating lakes during the fall to reduce conflicts with backcountry visitors and avoid impacts on amphibians. In wilderness lakes, traditional methods of transportation - livestock packing - "will be used as much as possible," according to a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks press release.
"Using helicopters and airplanes to transport materials and equipment in nonwilderness areas will minimize ground impacts to trails that are not designed for heavy transport with livestock," according to the release.
Because of concerns about the temporary loss of fishing opportunities, the sequence of lake treatments will be separated geographically, and in some cases large cutthroats will be used to restock treated lakes.
The environmental review for the project carried on for five years, with four public comment periods and 22 public meetings.
Project documents are available on the Internet at:
Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com