Reading this report brought home the scope of the problem 

 that has been created by mining activity in the upper 

 river. It certainly behooves us to take every precaution 

 to avoid duplicating the mistakes of the past in the 

 mining ventures planned for the lower river. It should be 

 realized that we are dealing with a technology that has 

 the potential for very costly problems. 



Although I have some concern about a report that is 

 sometimes pretty general (especially NPS and nutrient 

 loading, where recommended implementations sounded 

 pretty vague and general) , my response to the Clark 

 Fork Basin Project report and the effort in general is 

 that, by in large, it smacks of good government and good 

 management. I would like to express my admiration for the 

 initiative and follow through it took to try to put 

 together the mass of somewhat unrelated data. It was a 

 worthwhile effort and a success, and it should be 

 continued. 



Judy Hutchins, Clark Fork Coalition 



• Nutrient loading in the river should definitely be 

 limited. However, control of point sources is only 

 the first step. There is also a need to continue 

 serious work on controlling nonpoint sources of pollution, 



Response: The recommendation has been modified 

 (page 5-16) . 



■fe^ 



There is not much discussion in the report about 

 consistent DO violations that have been occurring in the 

 river in the past few years. A comprehensive policy to 

 address these repeated DO violations is needed. 



Response: See responses on pages A-45 and A-46 to the 

 Clark Fork Coalition's written comments regarding this 

 issue. 



Is the recommendation for exercising beaver control 

 serious? Why not address killing off all the great blue 

 herons-they affect the fish. Why not address the cows 

 stomping through the streams... The ultimate impediments 

 to spawning are the Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids 

 reservoirs. 



Response: Fisheries biologists assisting in the 

 preparation of this report have indicated the importance 

 of tributary streams to sustain fish populations. 



A-19 



