HomeMy WebLinkAbout13- Letter to Corps of Engineers for Funding for Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project CITY OF BOZEMAN
Bozeman, Montana
Ica, '
March 22, 2013
District Engineer
Omaha District Corps of Engineers
1616 Capitol Ave., Omaha, Nebraska 68102-4901
Dear District Engineer:
This letter is to seek the assistance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in planning, designing
and constructing a project to restore or improve aquatic and riparian habitat along the six-mile
reach of Bozeman. Creek through Bozeman, Montana, under Section 2.06 of the Water Resources
Development Act of 1996.
The principal goal of the Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project is to restore the natural processes
necessary for a healthy, properly functioning stream ecosystem. Additional project goals are to
improve water quality to support aquatic life and primary contact recreation; provide ample
public access and appropriate recreational opportunities along the creek corridor, while ensuring
resource protection; and to faster broad awareness of and appreciation for Bozeman Creek,
leading to a strong community stewardship ethic.
From its headwaters in the Gallatin National Forest to the jurisdictional boundary between
Gallatin County and the City of Bozeman, Bozeman Creek is in relatively good condition.
Significant impacts begin to occur as the creek enters dense residential housing, then the
commercial and industrial areas of the city. Bozeman Creek was channelized through the center
of town back in the early days of the area's settlement, as evidenced by Sanborn maps dating
from 1891. The most highly impaired reach of Bozeman Creek is the one-mile reach extending
on either side of downtown, from Story Street to Peach Street. Here, Bozeman. Creek has been
narrowed and straightened, its banks armored with rock, concrete and other waste materials, its
riparian vegetation removed or reduced to a thin green line. Downtown, the creek runs
underground beneath streets and buildings. Elsewhere in the urban core, the creek is confined by
parking lots, streets and other development. These alterations severely impact the creek's ability
Street address: 121 N.Rouse Ave. Phone: (406) 582-2300
Mailing address: P.0, Box 1.230 Fax: (406) 582-2344
Bozern.aai, Ivlontazna 59771-1.230 TDDI (406) 582-2301
to filter runoff, pass flood flows, provide fish and wildlife habitat, and provide citizens with a
community asset in the heart of town.
The Bozeman Creek Enhancement Project will address these impairments through improvements
to channel morphology and stream corridor habitat. The degree of restoration possible will vary
along the length of the stream, but includes opportunities for daylighting, de-channelization,re-
meandering,re-grading banks, enlarging culverts, restoring floodplain areas, improving
hydraulic complexity and aquatic habitat diversity, widening the riparia-ri zone and improving
diversity of species and age-classes, and improving aquatic and riparian habitat connectivity.
Some improvements can occur on public lands, while others envision property acquisition from
willing sellers to allow expansion of the stream corridor and new opportunities for public access
and enjoyment.
We believe this project may be feasible under the 206 program. We .are aware that after,the
initial $100,000 in federal feasibility study costs, a non-federal sponsor must provide 50 percent
of remaining study costs. We also understand that the sponsor must provide 35 percent of design
and implementation costs, including any needed real estate interests, for any project that might
result, and that the sponsor must maintain the project after completion.
Your reply to this inquiry will be appreciated. Please contact Mitchell Overton, Director, Parks
and Recreation Department, at (406) 582-3222 (moverton@bozeman.net ) for further
coordination.
Sincerely,
C"- A
Chris Kukulski, City Manager