For fishery information DNRC referred to the Natural Resource Information 

 System (NRIS) MFISH records of fish population surveys completed by the 

 Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks, a post fire stream survey completed 

 by the Rocky Mountain Research Station (Ethan Mace RMRS), and findings 

 of the BAER team. The following are reported fish populations for the project 

 area streams. 



• 



Fish Creek provides habitat and supports westslope cutthroat trout, bull 

 trout, brook trout, and other salmonid fish species. 



• Deer Creek supports westslope cutthroat trout to the 5.8 stream mile based 

 on MFISH survey data. 



• Thompson Creek supports westslope cutthroat trout to the 4.4 stream mile 

 based on MFISH survey data and possibly bull trout. 



• Camelia Gulch is not a fishery. 



• An unnamed tributary to South Fork of Fish Creek flows through the W V2 

 of DNRC Section 12, T 13N, R25W. The unnamed tributary is a 2°'^ order. 

 Class 1 stream and a possible fishery in the lower reaches above the 

 confluence with the South Fork of Fish Creek. 



Fish habitat impacts could occur from excessive sediment loads, both fine and 

 coarse sediments, due to surface erosion following the fire or from potential 

 culvert or hillslope failures associated with high water flows. High water 

 flows and loss of vegetation could also result in channel scour and migration 

 that alter in-stream pool locations or depth of pools that fish prefer. Changes 

 in stream habitat, temperature, and nutrients will all challenge the tolerance of 

 fish species and their adaptability to changing conditions. 



For the analysis the direct effects of sediment to stream channels were 

 considered. DNRC reviewed segments of Deer Creek and Thompson Creek 

 channels with fishery biologists to assess existing stream conditions. All roads 

 adjacent to streams and stream channel crossings on State land and roads 

 accessing State land were reviewed for sediment sources. No existing 

 sediment sources were noted on current or historic crossing sites that could 

 potentially deliver to streams. Three culverts on State lands were determined 

 to be under-capacity for projected storm flood frequencies and could be 

 potential sediment sources. A project is underway to replace the culverts and 

 these sites will be considered stable for analyzing existing condition. This 

 project will reduce the potential for flooding and sediment delivery to streams. 

 This action was analyzed with a project specific environmental review (Fish 

 12 Roads EA) on October 28, 2003. 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 3-15 



