This page contains updates and information on conservation issues and projects that MCFF is involved in or are of concern.  Preservation and conservation are the main purposes of our organization.  A Foundation Fund has been established to help fund conservation and restoration projects.  If you have any ideas or suggestions for projects, or would like to be a volunteer, please contact Chris Fleck (Conservation Director) at chris.fleck@mcffonline.org

 

Bighorn River Flow.  Update 10-10-07: Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) announce its fall/winter operating plan for the river this afternoon. You can view the complete plan at:

http://www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/yellowtail/index.cfm

In short, BOR plans to increase flows from 1,750cfs to 1,900cfs in November, and maintain these flows through June (or at least the spring BOR meeting). While Friends of the Bighorn River is delighted with any increase in flows AT THIS POINT, we're still extremely disappointed that the requested flows of 2,000cfs couldn't have been provided. Good, solid science shows us that flows of 2,000cfs will wet only some of the side-channels adequately, while providing limited spawning and rearing habitat. With flows of 1,900cfs, we can only pray the browns can pull off a decent spawn. Nonetheless, our neighbors south of the border continue to call for decreased flows, so FOBR will continue to fight for our world renowned, blue ribbon fishery. Thanks again to all of you who provided comments and feedback to BOR.

Doug Haacke and Paul Morrison
Friends of the Bighorn River

Boulder River Drainage YCT Restoration Project: In November, the board approved the chapter supporting a conservation project that FWP has begun in the Silver and Prospect Lakes in the Four Mile Creek drainage of the Boulder River. The project involves the removal of non-native species and the re-introduction of the native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. Due to budget cuts, the funds FWP has available to complete this project are limited. To help meet the funding shortfall, MCFF submitted an application to Montana Trout Unlimited for $1,750.00. This request has been approved. An application for a grant from the Trout Unlimited Embrace-a-Stream program in the amount of $2,000.00 has also been submitted. This application is pending approval. Finally, at the December board meeting, the board approved a donation for this project from our chapter in the amount of $250.00. for a total contribution of $4,000.00.  We will be looking for volunteers who would like to donate their time and labor for this project sometime during the July-September timeframe in the summer of 2008. Further information will be provided as it becomes available. For details about the exact nature and scope of the project, please see the project summary (pdf).

Yellowstone Floodplain Protection Program: Click here for more information