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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Region 3 Headquarters
1400 South 19th Street
Bozeman, MT 59715
June 30, 2023
Connor Brown
Downing Street Investments
109 East Oak Street,Suite 213
Bozeman, Montana 59715
Dear Connor,
Montana Fish, Wildlife& Parks(FWP) supports your first variance request for the proposed Aaker Phase 1
development, which would eliminate the requirement to extend Remington Way to the western property
boundary. Such an encroachment on Aaker Creek would lead to further degradation of the aquatic resources of
the Gallatin Valley especially in an area with widespread development. FWP's Fish and Wildlife
Recommendations for Subdivision Development in Montana recommends maintaining stream setbacks when
possible and to "minimize the extent of subdivision roads needed to provide access to all areas proposed for
development." Although Aaker Creek is a relatively small stream that is not inhabited by trout within the
proposed development, downstream habitats, including the East Gallatin River, provide anglers with valuable
recreational fisheries.The cumulative effects of road crossings have been shown to impair streams and the
organisms they support, so FWP welcomes any opportunity to minimize such impacts.
For questions or concerns, please reach out to the following FWP personnel:
Mike Duncan, Madison-Gallatin Program Manager(406-577-7871, mikeduncan@mt.gov)
Jen Smitham, Region 3 Public Comment Coordinator(406-495-3262, jsmitham@mt.gov)
Thank you again for the opportunity to comment.
Sincerely,
Marina Yoshioka
Region 3 Supervisor