HomeMy WebLinkAboutFWL Response Letter - Duncan 062920
MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Region 3 Headquarters
1400 S 19th Avenue
Bozeman, MT 59718
June 29, 2020
Bozeman Development Review Committee
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, Montana 59771
RE: Northwest Crossing Phase 1 Preliminary Plat - 20113
Dear Review Committee:
Thank you for providing Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) with the opportunity to
comment on the proposed Northwest Crossing development. Streams, whether inhabited by fish or not,
provide numerous ecological and geomorphological functions. In addition to providing habitat for lotic
flora and fauna, riparian corridors are critically important for movement of large and small terrestrial
wildlife. FWP has developed recommended standards for development near water bodies. For perennial
streams, such as Baxter Creek and the unnamed spring creek, we recommend 150 feet of vegetated
buffer plus 50 additional feet of building setback (Fish and Wildlife Recommendations for Subdivision
Development in Montana 2012). Stream corridors, their fish, and other amenities streams provide is a
primary driver for growth in Gallatin County and they should be protected commensurate to their
importance.
We anticipate that your construction plans will include actions to reduce or mitigate sediment
delivery, and to prevent discharges of petroleum products or other harmful substances into Baxter
Creek, the unnamed stream to the east, or other nearby aquatic habitats. An important project goal
should be to ensure that the completed subdivision poses no direct or persistent environmental threat
to the local watershed. Drainage within the subdivision is a critical consideration to avoid increasing
sediment or other contaminants that might be delivered to local waterways. Several permits that may
be required for any work within or adjacent to the streams within the proposed development. In
general, any work that disturbs the bed or banks of a waterway requires a Montana Natural Streambed
and Land Preservation Act Permit (310 – Local Conservation District). If any proposed action will input
sediment into a waterway, a Short-Term Water Quality Standard for Turbidity (318 – Department of
Environmental Quality) is required. If fill is placed in a waterway, a Federal Clean Water Act, or 404
Permit (Corps of Engineers) may be required. The Department of Natural Resources has a website that
details these and other permits that may be required for instream and floodplain work -
http://dnrc.mt.gov/licenses-and-permits/stream-permitting
FWP understands the need for domestic water supplies as growth continues; however, given
these concerns, FWP recommends any development in this area severely restrict irrigation, promote
xeriscaping, and prohibit the construction of new private ponds. Private ponds, in addition to
consumptive loss through evaporation are potential sources for Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS), non-
native species, and fish diseases. Many of the people moving to the Bozeman area are doing so because
of the its fish and wildlife resources, planning efforts will need to balance the water needs of residents
while maintain ample habitat for fish and wildlife.
Thank you again for the opportunity to comment and do not hesitate to contact me with any
questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Mike Duncan
Fisheries Biologist
mike.duncan@mt.gov