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practices that protect present and reasonably anticipated beneficial uses. The state of Montana has 

 adopted Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) through its Non-point Source Management Plan as 

 the principal means of meeting Water Quality Standards. 



Existing beneficial uses in the immediate vicinity of the proposed sale area include v/ater rights for 

 groundwater sources including: stocl< and domestic uses. Surface v/ater sources include stock, domestic, 

 fish and wildlife, lawn and garden and irrigation uses. There are no sensitive beneficial uses in the sale 

 area, however; downstream sensitive beneficial uses include surface domestic uses and cold water 

 fisheries. 



The Clean Water Act and EPA Water Quality Planning and Management Regulations require the 

 determination of allowable pollutant levels in 303(d)-listed streams through the development of Total 

 Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) limits. The streams draining the four state sections are not 303(d)-listed 

 streams. Little Prickley Pear Creek (MT41 QJ003-2), however; is listed as a water quality limited water body 

 (as per Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act) in the 305(b) report. The causes of impairment are flow 

 alteration, other habitat alterations and siltation with the probable sources being agriculture, construction 

 and irrigated crop production. According to this report, Little Prickley Pear Creek is fully supporting of all its 

 uses except aquatic life support and cold water fishery-trout which is listed as partially supporting. 



The Montana Streamside Management Zone Law (MCA 77-5-301) and Rules regulate timber harvest 

 activities that occur adjacent to streams, lakes and other bodies of water. This law prohibits or restricts 

 timber harvest and associated activities within a predetermined (SMZ) buffer on either side of the stream. 

 The v/idth of this buffer varies from 50-1 00 feet, depending on the steepness of the slope and the class of 

 the stream. Both Gladstone Creek and French Creek are Class I streams 



The Montana Stream Protection Act (MCA 87-5-501) regulates activities conducted by government 

 agencies that may affect the bed or banks of any stream in Montana. This law provides a mechanism to 

 require implementation of BMPs in association with stream bank and channel modifications carried out by 

 governmental entities. Agencies are required to notify the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks 

 (MDFWP) of any construction projects which may modify the natural existing conditions of any stream. 



Fisheries: 



There v/as no survey data available for either Gladstone or French Creek. Wolf Creek, however, has 1 996 

 sun;ey data that found westslope cutthroat trout rarely occurring and rainbow, brook and brov/n trout with 

 common occurrence. Personal communication with Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks 

 (MDFWP) Region 4 fisheries biologist revealed that Wolf Creek is considered a very valuable spawning 

 habitat for Missouri River rainbow trout . Recent surveys documented 1 ,981 spawning reds in the lower 7.8 

 miles of Wolf Creek. Concerns are that increases in above natural levels of sedimentation may adversely 

 affect this system. 



EXISTING CONDITIONS 

 Water Quality: 



Access to the sale area is provided by approximately 2 miles of county road (Wolf Creek road) and an 

 existing low standard road system located on private and State ownership (Gladstone Creek road). 

 Portions of the existing Gladstone road are poorly located, in poor condition and do not currently meet 

 minimum BMPs. Most of the road lacks adequate surface drainage which has resulted in undesirable 

 concentrations of surface runoff. There are several segments of the existing road that follow right up the 

 draw relatively close to the stream. One existing bridge crossing along the mainstem of Gladstone Creek is 

 poorly designed and currently restricting the flow of the channel. Several other crossings are functioning 

 well, but lack appropriate mitigation measures that could further reduce the risk of sediment delivery. The 



