Draft Environmental Assessment - North Burnt Fork Creek Restoration - Lee Meetcalf NWR

Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, in partnership with Trout Unlimited and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, has released a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) proposing to remove a barrier culvert and open approximately 2.5 miles of stream habitat on North Burnt Fok Creek as it passes through the refuge.  

Culvert removal and restoration is proposed to improve fish passage fish passage
Fish passage is the ability of fish or other aquatic species to move freely throughout their life to find food, reproduce, and complete their natural migration cycles. Millions of barriers to fish passage across the country are fragmenting habitat and leading to species declines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Fish Passage Program is working to reconnect watersheds to benefit both wildlife and people.

Learn more about fish passage and riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

Learn more about riparian habitat, while maintaining visitor access, through the National Wildlife Refuge in the Bitterroot River Valley of southwestern Montana. 

A 30-day public comment period for the draft EA will run from January 5 through February 3, 2023.