FWP announces decision to release revised walleye EA
NOXON – The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks recently released a notice of their intent to proceed with a proposal to suppress the population of walleye in the Noxon Reservoir. The proposal has generated controversy among anglers who flock to the area to fish for the elusive prey.
In February 2013, FWP released a draft environmental assessment to investigate the effects of suppressing the walleye population. The draft EA was intended to solicit public comment that FWP intended to take under consideration before proceeding with their proposal.
Due to substantial input from the public in support and against the proposal, FWP chose to reexamine the EA. According to information released by representatives from FWP, a decision was made to release a revised draft of the original EA for further public comment.
According to FWP, the proposal aims to suppress the population of the illegally introduced walleye in the Noxon Reservoir. FWP asserts that in the late 1980s, walleye were unlawfully introduced into the reservoir. The stated position of FWP is that the walleye represents a threat to established native fisheries.
Issues that will be addressed by the revised draft EA will include the potential impact to sport and native fish species as a result of by-catch of non-target fish. Public controversy generated by the proposal will be considered before implementation of the plan as well as potential impacts to the local economy.
Other issues surrounding the proposal that will be considered by FWP include funding for the project, the potential waste of game fish, origin of the introduced walleye and the long-term potential impacts of suppression.
FWP Fisheries Biologist Kenneth Breidinger said the revised draft would be available for public comment before any plans proceed.
“We will analyze a number of issues including how this proposal will affect local economies,” said Breidinger. “We are trying to address new issues and we are going to be taking some time to include new studies. After we do this work we will release the new information for public comment and go from there.”
A group of concerned citizens known as the Noxon Warm Water Fisheries Association is staunchly opposed to the suppression of the walleye in the Noxon Reservoir. In addition to appreciating the sport of fishing for the notoriously difficult to catch walleye, the NWWFA has expressed concerns in the past about the potential negative economic impact of eradicating a species that many come to the area to harvest.
The NWWFA believes that if the walleye population is suppressed, local economies will suffer a significant loss of business from anglers that spend money in the area while they are in town to fish for walleye.
In response to the announcement from FWP regarding the revised draft EA, the NWWFA released a statement to the Clark Fork Valley Press. NWWFA President Paul Rossignol responded with the following:
“Noxon Warm Water Fisheries has many concerns regarding FWP’s revision of the Environmental Assessment but without further details we are withholding additional comment. NWWFA believes that the substantive issues and informative deficiencies exposed in response to the initial EA are more than adequate to support FWP deferring any further action on suppressing walleye in Noxon Rapids Reservoir.
The Noxon walleye fishery was extensively enjoyed by fishermen throughout the spring and summer season. The impact of harvest of walleye in the newfound fishery will be of interest to all concerned.”
Information on when the revised EA will be released was not immediately available. FWP did announce a request for public assistance in identifying additional issues pertaining to the walleye suppression proposal. Comments and questions must be received by November 30, 2013 and can be submitted to Kenneth Breidinger at kbreidinger@mt.gov or the following address:
Kenneth Breidinger
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
PO Box 95
Thompson Falls, MT 59873