Future Fisheries Improvement Projects Approved for Western Montana
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission recently approved almost $250,000 in funding for 10 projects that will improve Montana fisheries, as part of the Future Fisheries Improvement Program (FFIP).
Four projects in western Montana’s Missoula and Powell County received $55,250 in grant funds to improve trout spawning habitat, fish survival, and population size.
In the Blackfoot Valley’s Monture and Dunham Creeks, FFIP funds will go towards the installation of riparian fencing to protect bull and cutthroat trout spawning habitat. And in Rattlesnake Creek and Shanley Creeks, crews will use grant money to install fish screens to help keep trout out of irrigation diversions.
Funding will also support the 10-year renewal of an instream flow lease on Wasson Creek, a tributary to Nevada Spring Creek, to increase stream flows for fish in Powell County.
For almost two decades, FFIP funding has helped to restore rivers, streams, and lakes and improve wild fish habitat and fisheries. Between $350,000 and $650,000 are available each year for projects that revitalize wild fish populations.
Any individual or group with a project designed to restore or enhance fish habitat may apply for FFIP funding. Applications for the winter-cycle grants are due by December 1, 2016.
More information or to apply, visit the Future Fisheries Improvement Program at fwp.mt.gov by following links under “Fish and Wildlife,” “Habitat” and then “Fish.” Applications are also available from FWP regional offices or headquarters in Helena.
This article is from an FWP news release.
