1. Partnering for Conservation

2. The Upper Blackfoot Confluence
A Conservation Partnership…
– Mining Companies
• Monsanto
• Simplot
• Agrium Nu-West
– Conservation Groups
• Trout Unlimited
• Idaho Conservation League
…that works to improve water quality and the fishery in
the Upper Blackfoot River and its tributaries

4. Formed in Fall, 2011
• Build on common interest in enhancing the
Upper Blackfoot
• Do work outside of mining sites
• Beyond what is required of mining companies
by regulation
• Everyone reserves right to disagree on other
issues in other fora

5. A Rapid Start and Quick Success
• Trout Unlimited assessment in Fall, 2011 & Winter,
2012

6. Restoration
Complex
Limiting factors Conservation
Objective
Strategies
Main stem
Blackfoot
River
 Water quality
 Habitat
fragmentation
Improve migratory
corridor for adfluvial
YCT and habitat for
fluvial life forms.
 Riparian restoration
 Channel restoration
 Barrier removal or
modification
Slug/Trail/
Dry Valley
Creeks
 Water quality
 Loss of riparian
habitat
 Habitat
fragmentation
 Summer low
flows (Slug)
 Brook trout
Improve habitat and
restore native fish
assemblage.
Secure habitat for
sensitive nongame
species in Slug Creek.
 Riparian restoration
 Barrier removal or
modification
 Nonnative species
eradication
 Agreements not to
divert or downstream
water rights transfers.
Sheep and
Angus
creeks
 Water quality
 Loss of riparian
habitat
 Habitat
fragmentation
 Brook trout
Improve habitat for
migratory YCT.
 Riparian restoration
 Barrier removal or
modification
Lanes Creek
Complex
 Water quality
 Loss of riparian
habitat
 Habitat
fragmentation
 Brook trout
Improve spawning
and rearing habitat
for YCT and restore
native fish
assemblage.
 Riparian restoration
 Barrier removal or
modification
 Nonnative species
eradication
Diamond
Creek
Complex
 Water quality
 Loss of riparian
habitat
 Habitat
fragmentation
 Brook trout
Improve spawning
and rearing habitat
for YCT and restore
native fish
assemblage.
 Riparian restoration
 Channel restoration
 Barrier removal or
modification
 Nonnative species
eradication

7. A Rapid Start and Quick Success
• Trout Unlimited assessment in Fall, 2011 & Winter,
2012
• Identification of priority projects and establishment
of budget and funding in Winter, 2012
– Mining company funding
– Matching grants (e.g. Natural Resource Conservation
Service)
• First field work started Summer, 2012, coordinated
and often done by TU

8. Additional Partnerships
Critical to Our Success
• Landowners,
including
– Bear Lake Grazing
Company
– Caribou Cattle
Company

9. Additional Partnerships
Critical to Our Success
• Federal agencies,
including
– NRCS
– US Forest Service
• State agencies,
including
– Idaho Fish & Game
– Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality

11. Restoring Fish Passage

12. Restoring Fish Passage