The PCCD along with the Dupuyer Watershed Council is working in cooperation with state and federal agencies to improve water quality in the Dupuyer Creek watershed. This project was developed to assess the condition of creek and riparian areas in the watershed, to collect baseline water-quality data and to begin implementation of watershed improvement projects that will address 303(d) listed impairments and fish habitat concerns expressed by u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP). The assessment, monitoring, and restoration goals of this project will complement TMDL assessments in the Dupuyer Creek, Two Medicine River and Marias River watersheds. Demonstration project sites selected for this proposal are representative of conditions over a large portion of the watershed. Landowners throughout the watershed have expressed a strong interest in a larger-scale watershed restoration program. This project will emphasize the development of innovative bioengineered stabilization methods, promote the acceptance of practical and affordable BMPs, and educate and unify landowners in a long-term watershed water-quality protection and improvement program. Funding for this project will support the assessment of surface-water conditions, riparian area health, and creek bank stability in the Dupuyer Creek watershed. Proposed tasks include water quality monitoring, photo documentation including low-level aerial video and infrared photography, engineering design and material purchase for riparian and bank stabilization demonstration projects. Project funds will provide the watershed council and landowners the ability to accomplish these goals. The demonstration projects will include implementation of BMPs, including the removal of livestock from the creeks to generate healthy riparian areas and address water temperature and fish habitat impairments. Evaluation of the demonstration projects and water-quality data will determine the effectiveness of the applied restoration methods and aid in planning future water-quality improvement projects This grant is intended to serve as a beginning phase to future watershed improvements, landowner education opportunities, coordination of watershed activities, and will provide a forum to discuss watershed issues related to water-quality. The Dupuyer Creek Watershed Project is sponsored by the Pondera County Conservation District (PCCD) and is supported by the Dupuyer Creek Watershed Council. The products produced from this project will assist the DEQ and EPA in meeting implementation goals for water-quality and watershed improvements much faster than would otherwise be possible. The goals of this project are to: 1) Assess the condition of creek banks and riparian areas along north fork, south fork and main stem of Dupuyer Creek and its tributaries; 2) monitor and sample surface-water and measure stream flows in the Dupuyer Creek watershed to establish baseline water-quality, to document the effects of restoration work, and to develop a water-quality database for the drainage; 3) Acquire a watershed coordinator to manage future monitoring and restoration projects within the watershed; 4) Restore and improve riparian buffer zones by replanting vegetation along the creek that will provide shade to surface water, long-term bank stability and improved fish and grizzly bear habitat; 5) stabilize failing creek banks to reduce sediment load washed into the creek and reduce the erosion loss of valuable agricultural land; 6) evaluate the effectiveness of restoration and stabilization efforts and develop guidelines for future projects; 7) educate landowners on proper riparian area maintenance techniques and assist them in developing effective Best Management Practices (BMPs) designed to reduce the level of pollutants entering the creek.
