Salmon-Challis National Forest

Lost River Ranger District

Opportunity to Comment on the Sawmill Canyon Bull Trout Protection Project

The District Ranger of the Lost River Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest is proposing to install a fish barrier structure on Sawmill Creek in the Little Lost River drainage. The general location of the proposed project area is 35 air miles N/NE of Mackay, Idaho and is within Forest Plan Management Area #22. The specific location of the project is on Sawmill Creek approximately 100 feet below the Iron Creek confluence (T12N R26E Section 7 SE). The project is not within any designated or proposed wilderness area, designated national recreation area, or inventoried roadless area.

The purpose of the project is to protect native bull trout populations in the upper portion of the Sawmill Canyon drainage from brook trout invasion. Brook trout, which are not native to Idaho, were introduced into the Little Lost River drainage throughout the 1900s and have subsequently replaced native bull trout in some streams in the Little Lost River drainage. Monitoring data indicates that bull trout and brook trout hybrids have recently expanded into additional areas in the upper Sawmill Canyon drainage and threaten to replace bull tout. This area has 23 miles of stream containing bull trout and contains approximately 95% of the bull trout in the Little Lost River basin. If left unchecked, brook trout will likely eliminate bull trout in this entire area in the next several decades. The proposed project will prevent the expansion of brook trout into this area by creating a small vertical barrier within the stream channel. This waterfall barrier will block the upstream movement of brook trout while still providing upstream passage to large migratory bull trout. Additional information regarding this proposed action can be obtained from the Team Leader: Joe Vacirca, Salmon-Challis National Forest, H/C 63 Box 1669, Challis, Idaho 83226 or phone 208-879-4165.

This comment period provides an opportunity for the public to submit early and meaningful participation on a proposed action prior to a decision being made by the Responsible Official. Those who provide comments during this comment period are eligible to appeal the decision pursuant to 36 CFR part 215 regulations. This will be the only scoping and comment period for the Sawmill Canyon Bull Trout Protection Project.

Published: July 29, 2010