creating environmental improvements through biodiversity

The training programmes cover the following topics:
• Identifying, planning and implementing restoration activities
• Grassroots advocacy
• Collaborative fundraising
• Media, outreach and communication
• Partnership building
• Volunteer recruitment activities
Once a workshop has been completed, volunteer participants have the tools necessary to become active
in an abandoned mine land restoration project and become effective and knowledgeable issue advocates.
Participants are also introduced to the appropriate agency staff to ensure meaningful post-workshop followup.
GRASSROOTS TRAINING PROJECT: EUSTACHE - NINEMILE CREEK,
MONTANA
One of the first grassroots workshops was held in Montana. Participants were introduced to seven concepts
to guide their volunteer involvement in the Eustache restoration project. By avoiding technical and regulatory
information, the workshop enabled a collaboration-focused, positive approach to evaluating, planning,
implementing and monitoring abandoned hardrock mine restoration projects. It became clear that to be
successful, workshops must incorporate a relevant and tangible local project in order to facilitate desired
follow-through action and provide for meaningful participant involvement. Future training site selection will
be determined by watershed priority, current and planned partner agency investment, short-term success
potential, current and potential strength of local Trout Unlimited organization and additional partnership
potential.
Sustainable Aggregates Creating Environmental Improvements through Biodiversity
The Place: Eustache Creek is a headwater tributary of Ninemile Creek in Missoula County, Montana. It
is one of the most important production areas for native cutthroat trout in the Ninemile Creek watershed,
which flows into the Clark Fork River 25 miles west of Missoula, Montana. Eustache Creek is also one of
the only places in the Ninemile Creek watershed where bull trout, a federally threatened species, have been
recently documented. Ninemile Creek is listed as Water Quality Limited under section 303(d) of the Clean
Water Act.
The Problem: Eustache Creek has been subjected to sporadic placer mining activity since 1875. This
mining eliminated much of the natural channel structure (e.g., pools and riffles). Piles of dredged material,
approximately 10–15 feet in height, occupy much of the valley bottom and impede the function of the
floodplain. Ponds left by dredging also add sediment to the creek and disrupt the natural stream flow,
which causes water to stagnate and water temperatures to increase – a severe impediment to native fish
reproduction.
The Partners: The Westslope Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Lolo National Forest have entered
a partnership agreement to restore a one-mile section of the creek to create habitat for native fish and
improve water quality for the community downstream. Other partners in the project include the Ninemile
Watershed Group, Friends of the Ninemile, and Montana Trout.
The Price: Over three years the projected cost for the Eustache Creek project would be $56,950. Estimates
include the permitting and contract work, riparian stock collection and stream reconstruction of the
Eustache Creek mine site.
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