Public Comment. Volume III - Montana Legislature

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Jan-4-00 : 4
F r w M FISH WILDLIFE & PARKS +4064444952 1-401 P.O2/05 F-661
James Flynn, Dl rector
Montana Department of Fish,
Wildlffe and Parks
1120 Fast 6th Avenue
He1 ena, rhntana 59620
Dear hm:
In response to the request for an easement of the Tongue River Railroad to
pass through- the Mi 1es City Fish Hatchery site, we recanmend that you contact
the Montana State of flce of the Bureau of Land Management about this proposal
since the patent for the land was issued to your Department by the Bureau,
The new facilities developed vitth Federal Aid funds must continue to serve the
intended purposes of the project. Otherwise, a loss of control would
constitute a diversion of Federal Aid funds, Since the Environmental Impact
Statement that was prepared earlier did not cover the new facllltfes, the
impact of the proposed Tongue River Pailroad would have to be covered in a
supplement, .
We have- serious concerns about the potential adverse impacts that vibrations
from the railroad cars could cause to the facilities and structures on the
Hatchery grounds. Severe damage to facllltfes occurred on the Hotchkiss
National Flsh Hatchery in Colorado frm vibrations caused by trains haul ing
coal adjacent to the hatchery. Sfmllar structural damages can result from the
proposed rail road right-of-way at the Miles C1 ty Fish Hatchery. Even i f the
raflroad easement does not cross the hatchery propeny, it will cross the
newly isqf pl!.e.P ngter supgly pipe\ lne frm t tie Ye1 loystone Riyer. In . .
addttfon, data are available that demonstrate that various factors, such as
sevefi vibrations, can stress fish easily, Such stress could affect
reproduction of the broodstock and growth of the juvenile fish.
Please contact us if we can be of further assistance on thls matter.
Sincerely,
/s/ Jerry J. Blackard
Jerry 3, Blackard
Oeputy Assistant Regional Director
For Federal Aid
Fl sheries and Federal Aid
cc:
Bobbi Balaz
EQC Eminent Domain Study -247-