Keep up with Ravalli County Floodplain regulation revisions at the Planning Homepage

Click here to visit the Ravalli County Planning Homepage

The regulations are being revised and the County Commissioners will be discussing them tomorrow, December 13 and provide input for the first time. For more information contact:

Eric Anderson, P.E., CFM

Ravalli County Floodplain Manager

215 S 4th St, Suite F

Hamilton, MT 59840

406-375-6530 phone

406-375-6531 fax

eanderson@rc.mt.gov  

 

Plan to attend the public meeting with the County Commissioners. See the link below for more information.

Ravalli County Floodplain – meeting Dec 13, 1:30 PM

The meeting information is actually the previous BRTU blog post.

Ravalli County Floodplain - meeting Dec 13, 1:30 PM

Aerial view of Bitterroot River, Victor Bridge on May 22, 2009

The Ravalli Commissioners are having a meeting at 1:30 pm Tuesday, December 13 to discuss amending the floodplain regulations. Eric Anderson, Ravalli County Floodplain Manager, has been working with Dan Browder, Deputy County Attorney at Ravalli County Attorney Office, to codify the regulations along with all the other County regulations. Codifying basically means putting all the individual regulations into one large code of ordinances instead of separate stand alone documents.

Montana, Ravalli County Planning Department - Floodplain
www.rc13.mt.gov/planning/land.htm
See the link above for Ravalli County Floodplain Regulations - reposted 11/10/08

The floodplain regulations will be fully open to modification during this codification process. Anderson and Browder have been doing minor modifications to the regulations for the past few weeks, primarily to correct errors and to make the regulations more consistent with State and Federal law. At this point, no changes are seriously substantial, however, one is never 100% sure what’s going to happen during the meeting on Tuesday. It’s possible that the meeting might get a large turn out of people who would like more substantial changes to the regulations, possibly with less protection for the river. Attend the meeting if you would like to track the progress or make comment.

The meeting is scheduled for 1.5 hours and will likely be continued to another day for further discussion. The Commissioner decision is NOT scheduled to be made on Tuesday. It is simply the beginning of the process to open up discussion with the Commissioners. Anderson and Browder will be explaining all the changes they have made, point by point, to the Commissioners


It appears that the entire process is open to written public comment at any time.


If you are interested and have questions, contact Eric Anderson, see information below. Please forward this to anyone you think might be interested.

Eric Anderson, P.E., CFM
Ravalli County Floodplain Manager
215 S 4th St, Suite F
Hamilton, MT 59840
406-375-6530 phone
406-375-6531 fax
eanderson@rc.mt.gov 

Public input sought for Montana fishing regulations - Hamilton meeting is June 8

Photo courtesy Billy Burk

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks review statewide fishing regulations and proposal changes every four years and offers public discussion forums. 

The 2011 MT FWP review public meeting in Hamilton, Montana is:

• Date: Wednesday, June 8
• Time: 7:00 pm
• Where: Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1801 North 1st, Hamilton, MT 406-363-7100. Park behind the building and enter through the back door.

There are a number of proposals statewide. Some of the proposals could potentially affect the fishing regulations in the Bitterroot. Specifically, the two proposals that anglers in the Bitterroot might be interested in are:  

1. Increasing harvest on expanding brown trout populations in areas such as Rock Creek (near Clinton), Bitterroot River and Clark Fork River drainages. and

2. Simplify the regulations throughout the Region by reducing the number and variety of harvest regulation exceptions, particularly within the Bitterroot drainage and between rivers.

Montana Fish  Wildife and Parks will present information and accept comments from the public.

The public comments will be considered when recommendations are placed on the statewide list of tentative proposals. The tentative list will be available this summer and additional  comments accepted at that time. Eventually, the Montana Fish and Game Commission will make final decisions in October 2011.

Questions? Email Chris Clancy at cclancy@fs.fed.us

Three more BRTU monthly programs to note on your calendar

Bitterroot Trout Unlimited proudly presents monthly programs open to the public. For 2011, we only have three more. See below.

February 17, 2011 – “State of the Bitterroot.” Chris Clancy, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, Hamilton, MT.

March 17, 2011 – “Fisheries and Fishing in Yellowstone National Park.” Todd Koel, Supervisory Fisheries Biologist, Yellowstone National Park

April 21, 2011 – “The Kootenai and the Yaak: Rivers and Fishing that Time Forgot.” Tim Linehan, Linehan Outfitting Company, Libby, MT.  

The meetings begin at 7:00 pm at the Elks Lodge
203 State Street
Hamilton, MT 59840-2522
(406) 363-3031
Get directions.

It is tradition to have dinner before the meetings at with the speaker at Spice of Life at 5:00 pm. Long-time TU supporter Karen Suennen will be donating 10% of the proceeds from each bill to Bitterroot Trout Unlimited. The public is invited come on down, have dinner and a drink and visit before the meeting.

Information for Spice of Life Cafe & Catering
163 S 2nd St
Hamilton, Montana
(406) 363-4433
Directions | Menu | Hours

To join or for additional information about Trout Unlimited, go to www.montanatu.org, or contact Greg Chester, 363-0033, gchester55@aol.com), Marshall Bloom (363-3485, drtrout@mtbloom.net) or Chapter President Cassie Buhl, cassie.buhl@gmail.com.

Bitterroot Buggers – Volunteer opportunity for final 2010 class, Sunday April 25

Rachel Tsukamoto Weissman when she was learning to fish

Sunday, April 25 4:00 - 6:00 PM at the Teller Wildlife Thomas Pond.


Thanks to all who have generously contributed  time supporting the  Bitterroot Buggers fly tying  classes.

We need your help for the last  class!

We will be casting, fishing (and grilling burgers and hot dogs !)

Not a caster or fisher person? No worries!
There are many  tasks that keep the class running smoothly - come on down!

Teller is located just outside of Corvallis. At the four-way stop in Corvallis, turn north  onto the Eastside Highway. Approximately one mile north of Corvallis, you will come to Quast Lane.   For the Slack Barn/Slack House turn west onto Quast Lane. Drive until it dead ends at Chaffin Lane. Turn south (left) onto Chaffin Lane. The Slack Barn/Slack House will be the first driveway on your right. (see below for link to a map)

We'll also draw tickets to determine the winner of the Dolak print - you'll receive one more ticket by attending - good luck!

Questions?

• Call Jeff at Western Flies and Guides (406) 363-9099
• Ria of the Keystone Discovery Enrichment Program (406) 363-5996
• Greg Chester of BRTU (406) 363-0033

Thanks in advance for your valued assistance.
For more information about the sponsors, visit: BRTU www.brtu.org
and Keystone Enrichment Program http://keystonetodiscovery.org/

 

Teller Wildlife Refuge

 www.tellerwildlife.org

1288 Eastside Highway
Corvallis, MT 59828-9371
(406) 961-3507
Get directions

The Bitterroot River – protecting the river, fish habitat and homes - by Merle Ann Loman

It is spring in Montana and many people are getting outside to enjoy the sun and warmer weather. A popular place to be in the Bitterroot is the river.

Wade fishing in the Bitteroot
Photo by Merle Ann Loman

---

Rip-rap series index

links will open on original site examiner.com

• Part One: a few rip-rap project descriptions
• Part Two: basic information about permitting
• Part Three: public comment and questions
• Part Four: some things you can do (join Trout Unlimited)
• Slideshow of related photos

When are fishing, floating, canoeing, or on a family outing on the river, one will see a variety of stream bank stabilization (rip-rap) projects. You might even see a bulldozer working on the bank or in the river.

These projects will cause major disturbance to soils and vegetation and turbidity or “clouding” of the water. This article will provide resources for information about the permitting and administration process for the projects/activities.  In listening to comments from the public, some are interested, some are concerned. The public is asking questions and needs to know where to find answers.

On Sunday, March 21, six interested Trout Unlimited (TU) members floated a stretch of the middle Bitterroot River. In this group was the Montana TU Executive Director, Montana TU Council Chairman, three fly fishing outfitters and guides and a Bitterroot Conservation District (BCD) Supervisor. I had the privilege of accompanying them. The day began with a clear sky, but soon a wind picked up. Some clouds rolled in and the air temperature dropped. As one might guess, with three boats fairly close together and much to talk about; the fishing was reasonable but not great.  That didn’t matter; fishing was an important objective but not the only one. This group was also floating in order to view and discuss several bank stabilization projects in a middle section of the river.

The river is considered a free-stone stream with many banks composed of highly erosive glacial till that will change with EVERY high water event. What naturally holds these banks together is the willow, dogwood, cottonwood and other riparian plants and root systems. We can try to stabilize a bank with harder material, but including plenty of natural vegetation and woody debris is most appealing to the trout. The dilemma is how to protect houses built on the river while maintaining healthy trout habitat which includes clean, clear water.

Part One of this article shares photos and talks about some projects the group viewed.

Part Two provides basic information about what projects need to be permitted and from whom, and has links to sites with more detailed information about the laws and the agencies that administer them.

Part Three shares comments and questions from public and the group that floated March 21.

Part Four shares a tool that allows the public to lodge a complaint against a project or activity and talks about other forums and ways to weigh in on the process.

This series of 5 articles (including this introduction) was written for Merle's Outdoor Recreation column. To see it in the original format visit The Bitterroot River – protecting the river, fish habitat and homes on Examiner.com.

Related articles from the Bitterroot Star: 

Homeowners reconstruct river by Michael Howell.
The Bitterroot River – an ever shifting dilemma by Michael Howell

Merle’s SmugMug photo site – More river and rip-rap in their original format/resolution. Incudes photos of four rip-rap installations and portions of the middle Bitterroot River.

Local permitting agency and administrative office

Bitterroot Conservation District 1709 North 1st Hamilton, Montana 59840 (406)-363-1444 ext 101 Website http://bitterrootconservationdistrict.net Email bcd@bitterroot.net

Read or download a PDF file of the NATURAL STREAMBED AND LAND PRESERVATION ACT OF MONTANA, ADMINISTERED BY CONSERVATION DISTRICTS at http://www.deq.mt.gov/winqinfo/Laws/NaturalStreambed.pdf.

If you need a PDF reader application you can download one for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Bitterroot Buggers is calling for volunteers Tuesday, 3/9/10!

We need your help again for the 3rd class!

Tuesday, 3/9, 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the Westview School gymnasium located at 9th and Main in Hamilton. Enter through the east doors facing 9th St.

Beginners Pattern: Elk Hair Caddis
Advanced Pattern: Montana Hopper

Don't forget to pick up a raffle ticket each night you help - there will be a drawing for volunteers in April for a framed Monte Dolak print valued at over $300. The more you attend, the better your chances!

Attention Hamilton kids!
We'll be judging flies each night for those students choosing to enter. Be sure to pick up a judging criteria sheet when you arrive.

Questions?
Call Jeff at Western Flies and Guides (406) 363-9099
Ria of the Keystone Discovery Enrichment Program (406) 363-5996 or
Greg Chester of BRTU (406) 363-0033

Thanks in advance
for your valued assistance - for more information about the sponsors, visit:
BRTU www.brtu.org
and Keystone Enrichment Program http://keystonetodiscovery.org/

December 2009 news from Bitterroot Trout Unlimited

BRTU wishes everyone a Happy Holiday season.

It is probably a bit chilly today for even the most dedicated anglers to be out plying the waters. Plus the blanket of ice and slush complicate that perfect drift with the large stonefly nymph, assuming you have one of the new Polar winter rods with heated guides.

There is no TU meeting this month, but here are a couple of items that might be of interest.

• Notice of spring Fly-Casting Institute at Marcus Daly Hospital. The October presentation by Dr Tim McCue “Casting Healthy” drew one of the largest crowds we have ever had. A number of members expressed interest in learning when the next clinic would be.

See the flyer (on the left) for information about a session scheduled for next April. Certainly, as our shoulders, elbows, wrists and vision show the signs of wear and tear, many of us can use all the help we can get! The cost is a little steep – about 3 float trip equivalents - but reports suggest that the class is very valuable.

For more information about the casting clinic visit www.flycastinginstitute.com and www.mdmh.org.


• Mitchell Slough redux. In case you thought the controversy over Mitchell Slough ended when the Montana Supreme Court rendered its decision, think again! The latest wrinkle relates to some of the landowners establishing feeding stations for migratory waterfowl on their property in an effort to snark duck hunters from hunting the waterway. It is illegal to hunt birds in an area where they are being fed. Ducks are not dumb, so they will quickly recognize that this area not only provides provender but also a refuge from the pesky shotgunners. However, the issue is complicated since a number of houses are right on the banks and also because it would be trespassing to retrieve a bird that landed on the ground instead of in the water.

Stream access only permits recreationists to stay within the highwater marks of the channel. The landowners have petitioned Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to close the stream to duck hunting on part of the slough. MFWP is exploring solutions to this issue and has scheduled a public hearing at the Bitterroot River Inn at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 9. Public comments will be accepted until Friday, December 11.

Here is a link to a Ravalli Republic story that gives more detail. http://www.ravallirepublic.com/articles/2009/12/02/news/news57.tx,

This post was submitted by Marshall Bloom.