The proposed project is a continuation of an existing lower Clark Fork watershed project including 1) additional assessment of Prospect Creek through existing USFS data review, aerial photo analysis, preparation of a final TMDL plan, and 2) coordination and administration of the Prospect Creek project and the other six lower Clark Fork watershed councils. The major emphasis of this project will be to develop the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Plan for Prospect Creek in order to meet the target deadline of 2004 for final plan submittal as established by Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The Prospect Creek TMDL Plan will address assessment and coordination needs for TMDL development, with focus on the identified impairments of sediments/ habitat alterations, and temperature. Initial efforts toward development of targets, allocations will be pursued, with final plan development components to be funded via 2004 319 or other funds. A significant component of this project involves detailed implementation planning utilizing that incorporates stream restoration design work in a manner that compliments and is consistent with TMDL development. Much of this detailed implementation planning is funded by Avista. The major goal of the project is to continue watershed assessment and restoration work on tributaries to the lower Clark Fork River. For the past five years there have been specific watershed planning efforts sponsored by Green Mountain Conservation District (GMCD), to protect and restore a number of watersheds, including Elk, Prospect, Rock, Whitepine, and Trout Creeks and Bull River. This project will maintain, or where needed, restore the chemical, biological and physical integrity of a number of lower Clark Fork River tributaries by reducing non-point pollution, stabilizing stream banks, and improving stream habitat and riparian vegetation in order to restore native fish populations and improve water quality in order to remove listed water bodies from Montanas 303(d) list. This project will also enable continued coordination of the recently formed Lower Clark Fork Watershed group. This particular grant is coordinated with another 319 project grant of $45,000 using 1998 319 funds.
