East Fork Rock Creek Dam Rehabilitation Project Environmental Assessment
A multi-agency effort to support dam rehabilitation in critical bull trout habitat.
Morrison-Maierle provided environmental compliance services to support the East Fork Rock Creek Dam rehabilitation in sensitive bull trout habitat within Montana’s largest national forest.
Located in Granite County within the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest, the East Fork Rock Creek Dam (EFRCD) is a high-hazard dam. The dam’s reservoir provides water for irrigation to the Flint Creek Water Users Association (WUA) and offers recreational opportunities. The Montana Department of Natural Resources (DNRC) owns the dam and holds a special use permit from the Forest Service (USFS) to operate and maintain the dam. The Flint Creek WUA conducts day-to-day operations and maintenance via a contract with the DNRC.
The DNRC identified that the dam needed rehabilitation and to do that, they would need to obtain a slate of environmental documentation, including permits. The project required these because of its use of state funding and because the reservoir and East Fork Rock Creek are designated bull trout critical habitats.
The DNRC contracted Morrison-Maierle to lead a suite of environmental services. This included a MEPA-compliant Environmental Assessment, a Section 7 Biological Assessment for threatened and endangered species, wetland delineation, and securing all necessary state and federal stream permits. The firm worked closely with DNRC, the U.S. Forest Service, and other agencies to address sensitive habitat concerns, complete extensive coordination requirements, and deliver critical documents and permits on time.
Highlights and Services
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Biological assessment
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DNRC MEPA-compliant environmental assessment
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Environmental permitting, including Section 404, SPA 124, and DEQ 318
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Environmental resources survey
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FONSI
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Section 106 consultation for cultural resources
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Section 7 consultation, including grizzly bear, lynx, and bull trout
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Wetland delineation
Environmental Compliance in Endangered Species Habitat
Performing environmental work within bull trout habitat is inherently challenging, and requires careful planning and collaboration with state and federal agencies. Morrison-Maierle conducted a full Biological Assessment under the Endangered Species Act, evaluating potential impacts on bull trout, grizzly bear, and Canada lynx. This effort supported formal Section 7 consultation and ultimately secured a biological opinion from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The team also navigated Section 106 consultation requirements for cultural resources in partnership with DNRC and the Forest Service.
A Standalone Environmental Success
Unlike many environmental services that support larger engineering contracts, this project was led solely by Morrison-Maierle’s environmental scientists. The team provided wetland and waterway delineations, assembled a MEPA-compliant Environmental Assessment, and acquired all permits, including Section 404, SPA 124, and DEQ 318, in coordination with multiple stakeholders. Their timely, coordinated efforts allowed the dam rehabilitation work—including spillway and valve replacements and a Forest Service bridge upgrade—to proceed on schedule within a highly sensitive ecological setting.
Learn more about our Regulatory compliance and permitting capabilities