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.