Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) Upper Yellowstone River, Montana: Environmental Assessment, FONSI, and Selected Alternative
Abstract
The Special Area Management Plan (SAMP) was mandated to address the cumulative effects of anthropogenic bank stabilization and flood confinement on the upper Yellowstone River in Park County, Montana. The Corps believes that the preferred alternative will result in an improved regulatory climate for the upper Yellowstone River. The preferred alternative will make the Department of the Army permit process more predictable and more streamlined for the public. The preferred alternative will focus the Corps effort on more thorough reviews where projects could adversely affect the upper Yellowstone River. The preferred alternative recognizes that a moratorium on all permitting is not a prudent course of action to pursue. Many projects proposed in waters of the United States benefit the public, sometimes improving conditions for the environment as well as for society. Other projects could have a neutral effect. Within the 86 miles of the upper Yellowstone River in Park County, Montana, the preferred alternative provides enhanced protection within the SRMZ, 48-mile reach of the upper Yellowstone River that is most susceptible to forced morphology. Some of the channel segments within the SRMZ already have forced morphology. Where practicable, restoration of appropriate channel type and function through permit conditions and compensatory mitigation will ensure avoidance of adverse cumulative impacts. The approximate geographic limits of the SRMZ are from just upstream of the community of Emigrant downstream to a few miles below the Shields River and Mission Creek confluences. Under the preferred alternative, some Nationwide Permits (NWPs) would be revoked, and new Regional Conditions (RCs) would be developed for those NWPs not revoked. Restrictions would be placed on the configuration of all permitted projects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA581182
Entities
People
- Todd Tillinger
Organizations
- United States Army Corps of Engineers