January 21, 2002
Montana
Board of Environmental Review
P.O.
Box 200901
Helena,
MT 59620-0901
Dear
Board Members,
The
Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries Society (MCAFS) has reviewed American
Wildlands’ (AW) petition to classify the Gallatin River an Outstanding
Resource Water (ORW). The American
Fisheries Society, organized in 1870, is the oldest professional society in
North America dealing with the natural resources. The MCAFS was chartered in
1967. Among our objectives are conservation, development and wise utilization of
fisheries, promotion of the educational, scientific and technological
development and advancement of all branches of fisheries science and practice,
and exchange and dissemination of knowledge about fish, fisheries and related
subjects.
The
MCAFS supports the ORW designation for the Gallatin River.
The Gallatin River, and most of the Gallatin Drainage, support wild
native and introduced fish that provide recreational and aesthetic values for
many people, as well as the many other ecological and economic benefits detailed
in the petition. Additionally, the
pristine nature of most tributaries of the Gallatin River offer opportunity for
restoration of westslope cutthroat trout, a Montana Species of Special Concern
and a candidate for Threatened Species listing.
The
petition states ORW designation is necessary to prevent permanent water
quality degradation. Efforts to
restore westslope cutthroat trout in any significant fashion currently rely on
the application of piscicides (fish pesticides) to remove competing and/or
hybridizing non-native fish. It is
the understanding of MCAFS that, as currently interpreted, ORW designation of
the mainstem Gallatin River will not affect the ability of agencies to use
piscicides in tributary waters, as the application of piscicides is a short-term,
temporary degradation. MCAFS
strongly supports the ability of agencies to use piscicides in well designed and
researched efforts to remove non-native fish for restoration of native aquatic
fauna. We feel accomplishment of
such restoration efforts in Gallatin River tributaries will only enhance ORW
designation. Undoubtedly, some
westslopes will leave their tributaries and enter the Gallatin River, providing
an opportunity for anglers to experience portions of Montana as it was 200 years
ago.
Sincerely,
Pat
Clancey
President
Box
1336
Ennis,
MT 59729
C: American Wildlands
Back to Chapter Correspondence Page