Wetlands in Watershed Planning

Prepared for the US Environmental Protection Agency

Blackfeet Tribe

Blackfeet Environmental Office-Wetlands Program

Browning, Montana

Revised September 20, 2016

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Saint Mary Wetlands in Watershed Planning

Acknowledgements

The Saint Mary Watershed Planning proposal is based on the US Environmental Protection agency “Wetlands in Watershed Planning (2013). Maps were provided by Colleen Barcus of the Blackfeet 106 program. Temperature graphics are from US Global Change Program. Photos were provided by UM Elrod Collection, US Geological Service, Edward Curtis Historical Photo Collection (Smithsonian), MT DNRC, NPS, Glacier County Tourism Office, Alex Gladstone (Saint Mary) and the internet.

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Development of Watershed Plan Implementation

The Saint Mary Watershed is globally recognized as an outstanding environmental and biological area of Tribal, regional and international economic and conservation importance and shares a history with Blackfeet Tribe that dates back thousands of years. The purpose in water shed planning is to protect water quality and wetlands that are essential to area communities and ecosystem processes. Restoring and protecting wetlands will ensure maintenance of the the outstanding water quality of the watershed. Several projects have been identified that address wetland monitoring, restoration and protection. Water and wetland protection, restoration and conservation are pivotal to resolving identified problems and potential impacts to wetland functions and water quality.

Water quality protection is central to protecting local communities, cultural traditions and Tribal health and plays a pivotal role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. Protection of the Saint Mary watershed is crucial to the Tribal and state economies that depend on the outstanding natural resources of the valley. This watershed is of importance to international downstream users with neighboring Canadian First Nations and citizens and agricultural producers in the Milk River Watershed within the United States. Issues of concern include climate change impacts to water quality, timing of runoff events, wetland functionality and ecosystem benefits as well as community safety and economy. Facilitating awareness of the exceptional water quality of the watershed and climate change driven impacts to the watershed are important planning and management goals.

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Overview and Purpose of Watershed PlanningOverview and Purpose of Watershed Planning

Introduction

The Saint Mary Valley is highly influenced by headwaters in Glacier National Park. In particular, rapidly receding glaciers at the head of the Many Glacier and Saint Mary valleys will play a profound role in water-related issues of this watershed in the coming decades. We have specifically addressed these issues in the development of watershed planning as it relates to water quality and wetlands. We have addressed the community of the Reservation as playing a central role in Water Quality and Wetland Protection goals. The following address and follow US EPA guidelines of Wetlands in Watershed Planning (2009).

This plan includes a characterization of the watershed, a summary of past and current wetland monitoring work, past and proposed wetland restoration and conservation work, a general timeline to achieve watershed goals, proposed watershed related projects and budget, identified partners and wetlands related work that can be used to develop performance standards, restoration techniques and site specific restoration activities at identified sites.

Current Climate Change Planning Work and Watershed Plan Development

Wetlands are the vital foundation in watershed planning. Blackfeet wetlands of the Saint Mary Valley are the first storage and discharge points beyond the headwaters of the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park and are essential for protecting exceptional water quality, biodiversity, cultural and community values. Although no formal climate change work has occurred in conjunction with state wetland program plans in the Rocky Mountain region as recently as 2015 (ASWM 2015), the Blackfeet Tribe recognizes the central and critical role wetlands play in climate change adaptation and mitigation planning. The Blackfeet Environmental Office is currently developing of a Tribal Climate Change Plan (Mitigation and Adaptation) Strategic Framework (Wagner 2016 in progress), that address specific climate related impacts based on each Reservation watershed-specific biophysical and ecological characteristics, climate/precipitation zones and land uses.

Regulatory Work

Wetlands are protected by the Blackfeet Tribe Ordinance 90-A (Aquatic Lands Protection Ordinance) as well as by federal regulatory standards. The Blackfeet Tribe has adopted a “no-net loss of wetlands” policy in accordance in accordance with Tribal and Federal regulatory standards. The Tribe’s no-net-loss wetland policy also includes geographically isolated wetlands for regulatory protection. Geographically isolated wetlands in the northern Great Plains region are connected to other jurisdictional waters by groundwater connectivity (Van der Kamp and Hayashi 1998, 2009; Whigham and Jordan 2003; Winter and LaBaugh 2003), and by surface water connectivity following intense precipitation events (Leibowitz 2003a,b; Leibowitz and Vining 2003; Winter and LaBaugh 2003).

Statewide, over half of all depressional wetlands in the Milk and Marias River watersheds are considered isolated wetlands (Vance 2009; McIntrye et al. 2011) and specifically, isolated wetlands of the Reservation occur in greater spatial densities and within landscape topography

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that allow surface water connectivity during periods of abundant precipitation. These dynamic processes are essential for maintenance of wetland biota and preservation of area wildlife and migratory waterfowl.

Potential NPS Sources of Impairment to Water Quality

Potential NPS sources to water quality impairment in the Saint Mary Valley are primarily agriculture-based impairments such as agriculture and livestock grazing. Impairments to water quality can include agricultural chemical runoff, excessive livestock use in wetlands and riparian areas, development and leakage from septic systems. Some oil and gas exploration has occurred in the Saint Mary Valley recently.

The Tribe plans to address potential impairments to water quality through surface water and groundwater sampling in areas of concern to establish baseline water quality data. Secondly, the Tribe enforces Ordinance 90-A Aquatic Lands Protection Ordinance when violations occur. Reduction of potential non-point sources of pollution to wetlands and water quality that are caused by agriculture and livestock grazing can be accomplished primarily through education and outreach to area farmers and ranchers. A map showing potential nps sources to water quality and wetlands of the Saint Mary Valley is shown in Figure 1.

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Figure 1: Saint Mary Watershed Land Use and potential NPS Sources

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Wetland and Water Quality Protection

Water Quality Standards of the Blackfeet Tribe include 3 categories (1) Protected, (2) High Quality and (3) Outstanding.

Beneficial Use designations include Drinking water (Class 1 and Class 2), Fish and Aquatic Life Use (that includes 7 subclasses), Wildlife, Agricultural, Navigational and Cultural Uses.

Tribal Water Quality Standards differ from state standards by the following:

1) The Tribe focuses on specific uses that may be assigned to specific water bodies; whereas Montana groups specific uses into classes.

2) The Tribal Standards include two classes of aquatic life not included in Montana standards: Sensitive species, for both Salmonid and Non-salmonid.

3) There are 2 classes of Municipal Water Supply, due to the outstanding and high water quality of the watershed, vs. 3 for the state.

4) The Tribe has an additional class of Cultural, which is not a beneficial use under Montana standards.

5) The Blackfeet Tribe uses a greater protection, numeric standard risk factor of 1:1,000,000 for all cancer causing agents.

Wetland Function and Benefits in Watershed Planning

Wetlands provide numerous ecological and biophysical functions that are critical to watershed hydrology and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Carbon sequestration, regulation of watershed hydrology and water quality, groundwater recharge, water catchment, storage and discharge, nutrient entrapment and cycling, and provide habitat for area flora and fauna. Groundwater-fed wetlands are sources of cold water that support sensitive fauna and flora and create micro-climates of cooler air temperatures that serve as localized refugia for dispersal-limited plants and aquatic fauna and habitat for larger wildlife seeking respite from hot summer temperatures.

Biodiversity

The Saint Mary watershed and Reservation as a whole contains exceptional biological diversity found within the western edge of the northwestern Glaciated Great Plains and Northern Rocky Mountain Eco-regions. The biological crossroads of these two ecosystems includes 80 mammals, fish, and over 1200 plant taxa, including nearly half of the entire native flora found in the state of Montana.

Wetland and riparian flora and vegetation communities of the Saint Mary Watershed are highly diverse and include nearly all recognized wetland ecosystems found in Montana. Glacially carved, groundwater fed, forested depressional wetlands occur in high density in areas on the

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western edge of the watershed and Duck Lake vicinity. Alkaline and saline influenced prairie potholes, depressions and marshes occur within fescue dominated grasslands. Subalpine wet meadows, subalpine lakes and conifer forested springs occur near the boundary with Glacier National Park. Fens occur on toe-slopes and valley bottoms near Lee Creek and Pike Lake. Concentrations of depressional prairie wetlands are found in the Duck Lake, Swiftcurrent, Kennedy Creek and Chief Mountain areas and at scattered locations in the Saint Mary River Valley near the Canadian border. Many wetlands of the Reservation are species rich and highly diverse: a total of 48% of all wetland vascular plants known to occur in Montana are found locally, including Montana Species of Concern, range-margin species and culturally important species. Some taxa are locally rare or uncommon in the Saint Mary watershed.

Reservation wetlands and riparian areas are crucial to population maintenance, migratory patterns and dispersal of all wildlife species known to occur in the Northern Rocky Mountain ecosystem, as well as fauna restricted to the Northwestern Great Plains region. Healthy beaver populations occur throughout the Park and Reservation watershed and provide critical functions for maintaining high water quality, retaining water catchment, storage and discharge, catching sediments, providing fishery habitat as well as providing a range of riparian hydro-periods that allow greater native wetland plant community diversity. Beaver complexes, due to varied habitat and hydrology, attract rich resident and migratory bird life. Area beaver influenced wetlands and riparian areas serve the vital purpose of maintaining water storage capacity and mitigating flood water events. Beaver complexes also provide greater cover and secure travel corridors for other area wildlife species, such as wolverine, grizzly bears, lynx, grey wolf, moose, deer and elk and other resident mammals.

The Saint Mary watershed is the only area east of the Continental Divide that contains Threatened bull trout, as well as supporting healthy populations of west slope cutthroat trout. Thirty-six other native fish species, including 5 additional Species of Concern are found in Reservation lakes, rivers and streams. Eight species of amphibians, including 3 Species of Concern, are found in Reservation wetlands.

Area wetlands also support rich insect life, driving the pristine fisheries of the watershed as well as successful migratory songbird nesting that rely on the abundance of protein–rich larvae necessary for raising successful broods. Wetland and riparian woody plants, such as native willows (Salix L.) and cottonwoods (Populus L. species) (Salicaceae), serve as larval hosts taxa of brush-footed (Nymphalidae) and swallowtail (Paplionidae) butterflies in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific Northwest regions, including those taxa that are largely found only in wetland habitats. Riparian habitats are preferential nesting and brooding habitat to numerous migratory songbirds, in part due to the abundance of larvae and other insects necessary for raising successful broods. Willows produce minute nectar glands at the base of the inconspicuous flowers and are pollinated by flower flies (Syrphidae) and by early emerging native bees and bumblebees (Apidae) that gather pollen.

Noteworthy, many willow taxa flower in early spring and are often the only available pollen and nectar source at this time of year, when native bees, bumblebees and flower flies first emerge after winter. Preservation of the watershed’s willow shrublands and cottonwood wetland

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forests will be crucial for mitigating climate impacts affecting local pollinator populations, as well as preserving and maintaining exceptionally high insect diversity characteristic of riparian areas. Healthy pollinator populations are necessary for driving the reproductive success of area flora, avian fauna, fisheries and amphibian populations.

Cultural Values of Wetlands

Wetlands are central to the well-being of Reservation communities and provide numerous ecological benefits that support climate change resilience. Blackfeet tradition and culture are founded on the central role of water and the environment that includes wetland ecosystems, wildlife, plants and the ecological web necessary for sustaining human life. For example, Blackfeet culture, tradition and ceremony honor the beaver, recognizing the numerous ecological benefits the beaver provides including the successional appearance of other wildlife and people due to its presence and life-giving activities. Many culturally significant plants and animals are restricted to wetland environments and their preservation and restoration will ensure that cultural practices continue into the future.

Local and State Economy

Area lakes and wetlands support a year-round tourism based economy. The Saint Mary and Many Glacier Valleys are major gateways to 2 million annual visitors per year to Glacier National Park, and contribute a significant amount of Montana’s $3-4 billion/year tourist economy. Tourism supports Saint Mary and Babb tribal resident businesses and services. Agriculture of the Saint Mary Valley includes include livestock grazing, hay production, apiculture, firewood cutting and forestry-related practices such as thinning and recently, post-burn logging. Livestock grazing on tribal leases is a primary source of income to the Tribe. Grazing occurs on tribal leases, allotments and fee lands of the valley. Wetlands support agricultural production and ranching where those land uses occur in the valley. The Saint Mary Canal is important to valley agricultural crop production within the Saint Mary Valley and to producers in the Milk River Watershed as well as producers off-reservation and in Canada.

Wetland Protection and Restoration

Preserving and maintaining the watershed’s wetlands and their inherent ecological functions to withstand and control flood events is the most cost-efficient management strategy for watershed-based climate change mitigation and adaptation. Maintaining, conserving and restoring native vegetation supports cultural continuity, community safety, biodiversity, water quality and numerous ecosystem benefits. Reducing or minimizing wetland impacts and disturbances in riparian buffers, will also assist efforts to increase watershed resiliency to climate impacts.

Further development of the Saint Mary watershed plan, in conjunction with past work and wetland monitoring, will be used to develop specific watershed wetland related projects within the watershed and its tributaries. Recent wetland program work has included wetland ecological condition assessments of the Saint Mary watershed (2014), and utilizing wetland

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data to identify reference quality wetlands of the Reservation for conservation and protection and restoration sites for future program work.

Identified Issues of Concern Affecting Wetlands

Since the early 20th century, most of the glaciers in Glacier National Park have disappeared and remaining glaciers, including those of the Saint Mary watershed, have greatly decreased in surface area. Remaining glaciers are predicted to disappear by 2030. Mean summer temperatures between 1910 and 1980 increased by 1.66°C and significant increased mean summer temperature increases have been recorded during the past 35 years (1980-2015) (Hall and Fagre 2003). Impacts include earlier snow melt and peak streamflow, decreasing snowpack proportion, extent and duration, and increasing air and water temperatures. Timing and severity of precipitation events, combined with warmer annual winter and summer temperatures will impact water quality, wetland hydrologic processes and alter wetland ecosystems and functional processes, as well as impact local Reservation communities and downstream-users.

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Photo reference points of Blackfoot-Jackson Glaciers, at the head of the Saint Mary Valley in Glacier National Park; from 1914 (above) and 2010 (below) Photos courtesy from USGS.

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Photo reference points of Grinnell Glacier, in the Many Glacier Valley, Glacier National Park; from 1914 (above) and 2013 (below). Photos from UM Archives (Elrod collection).

Recent Synthesis of Area Climate Data

Climate of the Saint Mary watershed is influenced by both maritime influences of the Pacific and northern Continental air masses east of the Continental Divide. Pacific air masses from the west and frigid arctic air from the north are influenced by the high mountain peaks. Pacific storms follow the jet stream resulting in significant precipitation west of the Continental Divide, however, some Pacific storm events spill over to the heads of the Saint Mary and Many Glacier Valleys. Cold arctic air masses usually follow the east slope of the Continental Divide. Warm and very strong Chinook winds, often with gusts that exceed 100 mph, are common during winter months on the Reservation. During El Nino years, Pacific moisture deficits occur resulting in significantly decreased snowpack and annual spring and summer rainfall. Chinooks occurring during El Nino years eliminate snow cover on mountain summits and throughout the plains on the Reservation, leading to extreme soil moisture deficits during the growing season and increased frequency of forest and prairie fires.

The past year (2015) was the warmest year on record in the Great Plains region and the nation as a whole. Western Montana climate change models predict a 1.7° C (3.06° F) temperature increase in the area that includes the Blackfeet Reservation. Following analysis of 100 years of climate data in the area, cold temperatures decrease 20 days earlier and decline in number, whereas extremely hot days (≥32°C) show a 3-fold increase in number, with a 24-day increase in the seasonal window during which they occur (Pederson et al 2010). Average spring snowmelt dates, or onset of spring runoff pulse, occur on average in the region 20 days earlier, coupled with predicted decreases in average annual precipitation (USGCRP 2009). Increased frequency of heavy summer precipitation, coupled with warming temperatures, will contribute to more frequent or intensive flooding events.

Temperatures in the Great Plains have generally been above the 1901-1960 average for the last 20 years, both annually and seasonally (Kunkel and others 2013). Eight of the ten summers from 2002 through 2011 were above the 1901-1960 average. The northern Great Plains states have experienced the greatest increases in average temperatures. Significantly, both local studies in Glacier National Park, and recent climate data and climate change analysis for the Pacific Northwest States and Great Plains have indicated temperature increases during winter and summer months and a significant extension of the freeze-free season. Fewer extreme cold events have occurred in the Northern Great Plains. However, there has been a greater frequency of extreme precipitation events since 1990.

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Water Related Emergency Threats

Storm events and spring flooding commonly occur in the Saint Mary watershed. Divide Creek regularly reaches flood stage during spring run-off, causing flooding damage to the community of Saint Mary, blocking resident access along the head of lower Saint Mary Lake and tourist access to the Saint Mary Valley of Glacier National Park. The 1964 flood caused significant issues with Boulder and Swiftcurrent Creeks and as a result has resulted in increased sedimentation in Lower Saint Mary Lake since this event (Figure 2).

The community of Babb is located between the Saint Mary River Diversion Canal and Sherburne Creek, below Sherburne Dam and a broad alluvial fan. Recent flooding damage occurred to the Many Glacier Hotel during an unusual Pacific-influenced storm event in November 2006. Dam infrastructure and integrity at Swiftcurrent Lake and Sherburne Dam to withstand anomalous storm events are on-going concerns to area Tribal residents. Breaks or other issues with siphons and water diversion infrastructure are concerns to area farmers and downstream users of the Milk River watershed.

Fire Frequency and Severity

Three major wildfires occurred within the Saint Mary watershed during the past 13 years: the Fox Creek Fire (2002) and the Red Eagle Fire (2006) (Figure 1). The Fox Creek Fire began as a lightning strike during an exceptionally hot and dry summer and burned several thousand acres in the Saint Mary and Milk River watersheds. The Red Eagle Fire (2006) burned a total of 34,000 acres of forest within the Saint Mary River watershed of the Reservation and Glacier National Park. Some wetland and riparian wetlands and streams, occurring on toe-slopes, were affected by post-fire sedimentation. These events resulted in the evacuation of reservation residences and communities. During the summer of 2015, a 5,000 acre fire (Reynolds Creek Fire) occurred in the Saint Mary Valley in Glacier National Park, but did not cross the Reservation boundary.

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Figure 2: Location of Recent Forest Fires and Sedimentation from Boulder/Swiftcurrent Creeks

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Climate Impacts to Wetlands and Water Quality

Climate related effects to area wetlands includes loss of hydroperiod in shallower depressional wetland due to increased evapo-transpirational water loss, increased potential for stream sedimentation following fire events, increased flooding during spring runoff. Shifts in reproductive phenology of flora and fauna can lead to disruption of pollinator services to area flora or timing of available food sources for migratory and resident wildlife. Timing of the gathering of wetland plants by tribal residents will shift. Plants that are sensitive to habitat change, hydrologic changes or increased temperatures will be at a disadvantage in wetlands that contain invasive species. Collectively, these physiological and competitive stresses can impact native plant populations and wetland ecological processes and services.

Many Blackfeet wetlands occur within largely un-fragmented natural landscapes of native prairie and forest. Natural landscapes buffer area wetlands and provide many purposes to contribute to long term functionality and integrity. These include precipitation catchment and release, moderation of water temperature, improved or optimal water quality through catchment of sediments, nutrient storage and release, and contributions of organic matter. Improving or maintaining buffer condition will be necessary to protect wetlands to the greatest degree possible from climate impacts and the entire range of critical climate resilience ecological benefits they provide local communities.

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Wetland and Water Quality Monitoring

Wetlands of the Saint Mary valley have been monitored using three-tiered wetland ecological assessments during 2007, 2009 and 2014. Recent monitoring results indicate that depressional wetlands of the Saint Mary watershed scored higher than depressional wetlands east of the Reservation in the PPR region and riparian areas scored much higher compared to similar riparian systems in eastern and north-central Montana.

Several reference condition wetlands were located during recent monitoring work, including forested potholes (kettle ponds), prairie potholes, marshes and wet meadows located in a range of landscape settings. Fens, springs and rare forested wetland types have also been assessed in recent monitoring work, resulting in a range of wetland ecosystem types identified for watershed conservation and restoration work.

Wetland complexes, such as the Duck Lake Area Potholes and Goose Lake area Potholes, have been identified during past work as biologically significant wetlands on local and eco-regional scales (Cooper and Jones 2003), supporting a significant population of migratory waterfowl, rare flora and fauna. The Duck Lakes Pothole Area includes numerous groundwater fed-prairie and aspen forested potholes as well as smaller closed depressions and temporary vernal pools. The area is very likely the best remaining example of prairie potholes interfaced with aspen parkland belt in the western United States. Goose Lake and associated pothole wetlands includes fescue grasslands, aspen parkland forest and open Pseudotsuga menziesii woodland. Both areas also serve as travel corridor out of Glacier National Park for area wildlife year-round and during recent large-scale fire events.

Wetlands have been monitored in the Saint Mary watershed during 2007, 2009 and 2014-2015. During the second and third years wetland condition monitoring (2014-2015), under US EPA Wetlands grant, the Blackfeet Environmental Office completed 19 wetland assessments in the Saint Mary watershed. A map of Saint Mary Watershed wetland monitoring sites is found in Figure 3. We used wetland monitoring protocols (2014-2015 MNHP Versions) that evaluate, address and score wetland ecological integrity, based on landscape analysis and field indicators to rate wetland condition, potential impairments, potential NPS sources of water pollution and to locate and identify high quality wetlands for protection and impaired wetlands for restoration work (Figure 4). Wetland monitoring provides an overview of current wetland condition that can be used for future water quality, wetland protection and restoration planning work. Monitoring also achieves the Tribe’s No-Net loss of wetlands goal and improves water quality and wetland condition on the Blackfeet Reservation.

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Wetland Monitoring in the Saint Mary Watershed

Wetland Functions and Values of the Saint Mary Watershed

Nineteen wetlands sampled in the Saint Mary Watershed were in exceptional condition. Forested potholes, wet meadow, alkaline marsh and many of the depressional wetlands sampled scored 77 or higher (r-76.4-97.4) (Appendix 2). Saint Mary wetlands include a range of montane elevational wetlands, including subalpine and montane headwater streams at the boundary of Glacier National Park, fens, springs, beaver influenced streams, prairie potholes, aspen and coniferous forested potholes, open and closed depressions, NRM montane to NWGP floodplain riparian forests. The most common impact to area wetlands assessed during 2014-2015 was livestock grazing. Livestock grazing occurs throughout the watershed on fee, tribal parcels for grazing and allotments.

Watershed based Wetland Monitoring Performance Standards

We have utilized the EPA approved QAPP Plan (April 2016) to assess wetland monitoring data collected in the Saint Mary watershed. Both the QAPP procedure and monitoring data collected will be used to conduct data collection Performance Standards. It will also be used to develop Wetland Restoration Performance Standards during future work.

Using Wetland Reference Sites

Wetland condition of the Saint Mary watershed is reported in the Wetland Condition Monitoring report (2015) and is one of the foundational tools in watershed planning development (Figure 2). Wetland data collected in the Saint Mary Watershed has been used during recent years for other studies including for Montana Wetland Mapping and Reference Quality wetlands sites (2012) and the Milk-Marias River Basin Wetland Condition Study (2010) by the Montana Natural Heritage Program.

Wetland monitoring data is used in conjunction with proposed and current watershed based wetland and riparian restoration, protection and conservation work. Past protection and conservation related projects have included conservation easements on Tribal owned parcels with pothole wetlands by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Tribal Wildlife Department, private conservation easements on spring fed wetlands near Pike Lake, and large scale restoration work on Boulder Creek. Current wetland monitoring work is being used to identify reference condition wetlands for protection as well as potential wetland restoration sites in the watershed (Figures 4,5,6). Efforts will achieve maintaining the outstanding water quality of the watershed. Future monitoring efforts will be important to detect and track climate change effects on watershed wetlands.

Project Specific Implementation Activities

The Saint Mary Wetlands Monitoring Report (2014-2015) has been used to identify wetlands for protection and restoration, as well as identifying wetland reference sites that can be utilized by the Tribe and Blackfeet Tribal Partners. We have identified and developed protection and

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restoration plans for two wetland sites in the Saint Mary Watershed; the Boundary Wetlands wetlands complex (Figure 4) and the Pike Lake Fen (Figure 5).

Figure 3 Wetland Monitoring Sites 2014-2015

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Figure 4: Boundary Wetlands Imagery

Figure 5: Pike Lake Fen Imagery on Canadian border. Wetland area north of international (shown as yellow boundary) border is managed as the Outpost Wetland Natural Area-Alberta.

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Restoration and Protection of Watershed Wetlands

Wetland sites in remote locations and adjoining the international border and National Park Service border are in good to excellent condition. Wetlands occurring in agricultural areas can be restored by active partnerships with landowners and federal agencies through conservation easement incentives. Restoring natural buffers composed of native vegetation will allow catchment of agricultural fertilizer and any pesticides that may be used during hay production. A map showing locations of potential restoration and conservation sites is shown in Figure 6.

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Figure 6: Conservation and Restoration Sites Identified during Wetland Monitoring Work

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Biophysical, Ecological and Hydrological Characters

The spectacular mountain scenery of the Saint Mary and Many Glacier valleys in Glacier National Park are Pre-Cambrian sedimentary bedrock occurring above the Lewis Over-thrust Fault. Proterozoic rock of the Altyn and Greyson formations occur on the highest peaks on the Reservation watershed boundary that includes Chief Mountain, Divide Mountain, Napi Point and Sherburne Peak. Bedrock of Hudson Bay Divide, along edges and ridges of the watershed, is overlain by Quaternary-age unconsolidated deposits of cobbles and Tertiary-age gravels (Cannon 1996). Younger deposits of Pleistocene and older Pliocene gravels occur in pediments and terraces that were reworked by more recent glaciation. Sediments, till, landslide debris and alluvium occur in valley bottom floodplains and stream corridors.

The Saint Mary watershed is fed by Blackfoot and Jackson Glaciers of the Saint Mary Valley and Grinnell and Swiftcurrent Glaciers in the Many Glacier Valley, permanent snowfields and annual snowpack. Headwater streams, alpine and subalpine lakes and a complex network of glacial groundwater from both valleys and Reservation Peaks feed area potholes and riparian streams feeding into the Saint Mary River, Upper Saint Mary Lake, Swiftcurrent Lake and Sherburne Lake Reservoir. Additional groundwater springs, within National Park valleys and near the base of Pleistocene glacial moraines along Hudson Bay Divide and Chief Mountain are found in scattered locations. Groundwater-fed potholes are common at montane and valley bottom elevations.

Saint Mary forms the southernmost headwaters of Hudson Bay, crossing the Canadian border near the Port of Piegan and eventually flows into the Saskatchewan River. Sherburne reservoir and water from the Saint Mary River is diverted by the Saint Mary Canal into the North Fork of the Milk River watershed. Streams within the watershed include Divide, Wild, Boulder, Swiftcurrent, Willow, Otatso, Roberts, Kennedy and Lee Creek and smaller tributaries. Beaver influenced streams, ponds, willow scrub and riparian forests occur along many of the watershed’s streams.

The Saint Mary River is bordered by black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera) dominated floodplain forest as well as extensive willow (Salix spp) dominated communities between upper and lower Saint Mary Lake. Upland forest bordering Lower Saint Mary Lake includes aspen parkland, mixed aspen/black cottonwood and lodgepole, spruce-subalpine fir and Douglas-fir forests. Major Reservation lakes of the watershed include Lower Saint Mary Lake, Sherburne Reservoir, Flat Top Lake, Duck Lake, Goose Lake, Pike Lake and Spider Lake (Canal).

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Saint Mary Watershed Characterization

Flora and Vegetation

Wetland and riparian flora and vegetation communities of the Saint Mary Watershed are highly diverse and include nearly all recognized wetland ecosystems found in Montana. Glacially carved, groundwater fed, forested depressional wetlands occur in high density in areas on the western edge of the watershed and Duck Lake vicinity. Alkaline and saline influenced prairie potholes, depressions and marshes occur within fescue dominated grasslands. Subalpine wet meadows, subalpine lakes and conifer forested springs occur near the boundary with Glacier National Park. Fens occur on toeslopes and valley bottoms near Lee Creek and Pike Lake. Concentrations of depressional wetlands are found in the Duck Lake, Kennedy Creek drainage and Chief Mountain area and at scattered locations in the Saint Mary River Valley near the Canadian border.

Forty-eight percent of all wetland vascular plants known to occur in Montana are found on the Blackfeet Reservation; including Montana Species of Concern, range-margin species and culturally important species. Some species are locally rare or uncommon in the Saint Mary watershed. Others are more broadly distributed or locally common, and are found throughout the watershed, in a range of wetland ecosystem types.

Fauna

Reservation wetlands and riparian areas are crucial to population maintenance, migratory patterns and dispersal of all wildlife species known to occur in the Northern Rocky Mountain ecosystem, as well as fauna restricted to the Northwestern Great Plains region.

Healthy beaver populations occur throughout the Park and Reservation watershed and provide critical functions for maintaining high water quality, retaining water catchment, storage and discharge, as well as providing a range of riparian hydro-periods that allow greater native wetland plant community diversity. Beaver complexes, due to varied habitat and cover, attract rich resident and migratory bird life. Area beaver influenced wetlands and riparian areas serve the vital purpose of maintaining water storage capacity and mitigating flood water events.

Beaver complexes also provide greater cover and secure travel corridors for other wildlife species, such as wolverine, grizzly bears, lynx and grey wolf, moose, deer and the Saint Mary elk herd. Due to dense woody vegetation typically associated with beaver wetland complexes, cattle impacts and invasive pasture grass and noxious species tend to be minimal in some areas.

The Saint Mary watershed is the only area east of the Continental Divide that contains Threatened bull trout, as well as supporting healthy populations of west slope cutthroat trout. Thirty-six other native fish species, including 5 additional Species of Concern are found in Reservation lakes, rivers and streams. Eight species of amphibians, including three Species of Concern, are found in Reservation wetlands. Area wetlands also support rich insect life, driving the pristine fisheries of the watershed as well as successful migratory songbird nesting that rely on the abundance of protein–rich larvae necessary for raising successful broods.

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Recent Fire History of the Saint Mary Watershed

Two major wildfires occurred within the Saint Mary watershed during the past 13 years: the Fox Creek Fire (2002) and the Red Eagle Fire (2006). The Fox Creek Fire began as a lightning strike during an exceptionally hot and dry summer and burned several thousand acres in the Saint Mary and Milk River watersheds. The Red Eagle Fire (2006) burned a total of 34,000 acres of forest within the Saint Mary River watershed of the Reservation and Glacier National Park. Some wetland and riparian wetlands and streams, occurring on toe-slopes, were affected by post-fire sedimentation (Appendix 5). During the summer of 2015, a 5,000 acre fire (Reynolds Creek Fire) occurred in the Saint Mary Valley in Glacier National Park, but did not cross the Reservation boundary.

Land Use

Land use in the Saint Mary River watershed, Blackfeet Reservation includes livestock grazing on native fescue prairie and forests, hay production and apiculture. Tourism, grazing, hay production, fishing, hunting, recreation, apiculture (=honey production) and firewood cutting are important sources of income to local residents and constitute a significant proportion of the state’s tourism economy. Visitation in Glacier National Park during the past 5 years has exceeded an average of 2.0 million visitors per year, with the Saint Mary and Many Glacier valleys being primary draws for tourist traffic from June to early September. Local or shoulder season tourist traffic during spring and late fall are important tourist-based income supplements to area residents and businesses. Logging has occurred in the watershed during the past 10 years following the Red Eagle and Fox Creek fires. Agricultural based economy includes cattle ranching, lands leased for grazing and apiculture operations that rely on the watershed’s native flora for high quality honey production.

Water Infrastructure

Lake Sherburne Dam is a 107 foot earthen dam constructed between 1914 and 1921, which impounds Swiftcurrent Creek flowing east out of Glacier National Park in the Many Glacier Valley. A total storage capacity of 68,080 acre-feet is provided in Lake Sherburne. Reservoir water surfaces are controlled by operation of the two 4- by 5-foot high-pressure gates, which permit a discharge of 2,100 cubic feet per second at an elevation of 4788.0 ft. At water surface elevations above 4788.0 ft, water flows over the crest of the overflow spillway and the discharge through the outlet works; the maximum discharge through the outlet works conduit at an elevation of 4809.2 ft is 4,200 cubic feet per second (MT DNRC). Stored water is released during summer months and is diverted to the North Fork of the Milk River by the Saint Mary Diversion facilities. Sherburne Reservoir water also feeds into the Saint Mary River to meet Boundary Waters Treaty (1909) requirements. Boulder Creek, which originates in Glacier National Park, has released significant amounts of sediment to Lower Saint Mary Lake since the major flood event of 1964. Since this event, the stream channel has had major changes during more recent flooding events and has threatened nearby Reservation properties.

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Swiftcurrent Creek Dike is an earthen dike with a structural height of 13 feet and length of 4,800 feet constructed in 1915 by Bureau of Reclamation to divert all flows from Swiftcurrent Creek and Boulder Creek into Lower St. Mary Lake. Prior to construction of the Swiftcurrent Creek Dike, the two creeks meandered across a large alluvial fan before entering the Saint Mary River. The town of Babb and a tribal housing development occurs on the alluvial fan, between the Saint Mary River and Canal.

The Saint Mary Diversion Dam and head gates were constructed in 1910 and are located less than 1 mile from the foot of Lower Saint Mary Lake. Sluice gates were added in 1995. Both structures have had a negative impact on tribal fisheries. Fish are prevented from reaching the lakes upstream and many fish become trapped into the diversion canal each year during summer months.

The Saint Mary Siphon traverses the valley from the diversion canal over Hudson Bay Divide. The barrels are approximately 3,200 feet long with an approximate discharge rate of 425 cfs at a velocity of 9.63 feet per second in the 90-inch section and 11.05 feet per second in the 84-inch section (DNRC). The Left barrel was constructed during the early 1900’s and was buried for nearly half its length. It has undergone extensive repairs due to the extreme climate, corrosion from burial and buckling and downslope movement of barrels and concrete support walls over time. The Kennedy Creek Siphon is located near the Saint Mary Canal north of Babb.

The Hall Coulee Siphon is located 8 miles from the Saint Mary Siphon and has also been subjected to corrosion, wear and buckling and issues with the concrete supports. Once water from the Saint Mary watershed reaches Hudson Bay Divide, it enters a series of 6 hydraulic concrete drop structures, at 218 feet elevation loss, before entering the North Fork of the Milk River (Figure 7).

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Figure 7: Location of Saint Mary Diversion Dam, Canal and Weir Drops into the North Fork of the Milk River

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The Blackfeet Tribe is

incorporating a holistic approach to watershed planning by addressing climate change impacts to area communities, cultural traditions, biodiversity, economies and livelihoods. Central to watershed model development is integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge as the starting point to watershed planning and development as well as documenting impacts to area wetlands, fauna, flora and timing of cultural traditions including plant gathering, harvest and other cultural activities.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge can be defined as the entire breadth of sophisticated and detailed knowledge of the inter-relationships between living organisms and environmental influences necessary for the timing and cultural practices associated with sustainable living. This includes detailed observations and knowledge of each species, environmental and seasonal cues and the complex web of ecological processes and functions necessary for healthy and functioning ecosystems.

Overall Saint Mary watershed planning goals include:

1) Protect High Water and Outstanding Water Quality Standards of the Saint Mary Watershed, by reducing non-point source pollution (Figure 1);

2) Preserve and conserve and restore wetlands, lakes and riparian areas to maintain high water quality standards and biodiversity of the watershed and by improving wetland functions (storage, catchment and attenuation) through conservation and restoration practices (Figure 6);

3) Develop TEK Based Watershed Planning and Community Education Outreach

4) Develop emergency planning procedures in conjunction with climate change plans.

By addressing watershed specific attributes, features and community concerns, a comprehensive Reservation Watershed Plan will be developed that includes both shared and unique concerns and project implementation per watershed, while incorporating overall water and wetland quality goals.

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Watershed Planning Goals and Objectives

Traditional Ecological Knowledge, utilizing a holistic and integrated approach to Water Quality, Watershed Protection and Environmental Quality, is central to watershed planning and project development, through protection, management, conservation and restoration, as well as developing climate change adaptation strategies for Reservation communities.

Maintaining the Saint Mary Watershed’s exceptional water quality is of utmost importance to the Blackfeet Tribe, to protect Tribal and community health and well-being and the exceptional aquatic life, wildlife, and ecosystems of the Reservation. Under direction from U.S. EPA, all federal agencies, Tribes and states are required to develop and adopt water quality criteria and standards. The Blackfeet Tribe has developed and submitted Water Quality Standards for Reservation surface waters that include wetlands.

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Goal: Preserve and Maintain Outstanding and High Water Quality

Lower Saint Mary Lake on the Blackfeet Reservation, critical to water storage, water quality, environment and economy of local Tribal residents and the greater watershed. Wetland and water quality and wetland monitoring identifies potential non-point sources of pollution and regulatory action required and enables watershed planning, that preserves both ecosystem services and local economies.

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Blackfeet Water Quality Standards and NP Sources

Pollutant Loads of the Saint Mary Watershed

Pollutants are defined by section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act and include metals, pesticides, and organic chemicals. Acute and chronic criteria are not currently available for all pollutants or potential pollutants. When numeric standards do not exist, narrative standards for Tribal water quality protection are applied.

Potential sources on non-point pollution include 1) sediments and sedimentation following major wildfires and storm events 2) industrial non-point sources that may be proposed that can impact surface and ground water quality; 3) pesticide and fertilizer use and 4) abandoned gas well or pipeline non-point source impacts to surface and groundwater resources (Figure 1).

Objective: Maintain High Water Quality Standards and Improve Water Quality in Areas of Concern.

1) Develop site-specific management recommendations to maintain high water quality or improve water quality, by limiting surface disturbance due to road construction impacts that can impact water quality and wetlands, and by preventing introduction and spread of additional aquatic, wetland and upland invasive species.

Objective: Protect Watershed Public and Private Water Systems from non-point source pollution sources by developing measures to reduce non-point source contaminants.

1) Enforce Ordinance 90A regulations of water bodies and wetlands from any proposed or potential non-point industrial sources of pollutants to the watershed’s high and outstanding water quality and ecosystems.

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Achieving watershed goals, by maintaining high water quality standards and concomitant wetland conservation and management, will preserve local TEK and Tribal traditions, community sustainability and tribal and state economies that directly depend on the watershed’s exceptional environmental quality.

Objective: Enhance forest resilience to climate change by conserving, managing and protecting Reservation forests to preserve genetic diversity that provides improved snow catchment capacity, protects fishery and wildlife habitat, travel corridors and wetland and riparian buffers.

1) Improve and conserve forest health and promote conservation easements on forested lands.

Chief Mountain is surrounded by high quality aspen and coniferous forests with numerous wetlands and springs feeding into the Saint Mary watershed.

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Goal: Preserve, Conserve and Restore Wetlands

Objective: Maintain total wetland riparian acreage in watershed to meet no-net loss standards and conserve natural capacities of water retention, catchment and discharge by maintaining and improve wetland acreage functionality.

1) Develop forestry setback standards to buffer forested wetlands, water bodies and streams from sedimentation following major fires, accounting for fire severity and runoff events due to climate change.

Objective: Protection, Conservation and Restoration of Existing High Water Quality Water bodies and Wetlands

1) Promote conservation easement opportunities to the Tribe and local landowners to protect wetlands and upland buffers.

2) Add additional measures to restore and protect impacted wetlands and riparian areas such as voluntary grazing restrictions and improved rest/rotation grazing practices.

3) Adhere to Tribal no-net loss per watershed policy: any proposed impacts to wetlands must be mitigated for within the watershed.

5) Collaborate with wildlife and fishery managers to monitor and protect important fisheries of the watershed.

6) Utilize reference quality wetlands for restoration performance standards and guidelines.

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Objective: Facilitate Wetland Quality Protection, Conservation and Restoration through Public Outreach

1) Promote cultural connections to water and wetlands through Elders and workshops held by Saint Mary area Tribal residents.

2) Incorporate TEK into watershed planning and project development.

3) Provide employment and study opportunities for Tribal residents in natural resources, water management and protection.

4) Seek continued community input and support for watershed plan and amend planning as needed.

5) Disseminate and develop conservation easement program materials; employ Tribal residents in conservation easement projects.

6) Implement voluntary or small grant based, community wetland and riparian conservation and restoration projects; employ Tribal residents.

7) Disseminate aquatic and noxious invasive species educational materials to area residents and visitors; provide local employment opportunities for Tribal residents.

8) Establish website tools that allow community members to submit observations on wetlands, wildlife, local fisheries, flora, habitat conditions and concerns with water resources of the watershed; employ Tribal resident to develop website tools.

9) Seek continued community input and support for watershed plan and amend planning as needed.

10) Establish Watershed Planning Feedback (Elders and community members) during planning and watershed project implementation.

11) Encourage rural and community green services, through expanded recycling and transportation services and solar powered demonstration projects; employ Tribal residents through local development of green services and Reservation-based ecotourism.

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Goal: TEK Planning and Public Outreach

Objective: Develop Emergency Planning Procedures for Flooding and Fire Events

1) Develop emergency procedures for area communities and rural residences for potential flood and fire events.

2) Develop Short and Long Range Plans for Dam Structural Integrity and Management to protect downstream residents.

2015 Reynolds Creek Fire as seen from 2006 Red Eagle Fire (foreground) on the Blackfeet Reservation, Saint Mary Watershed.

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Watershed Planning Implementation ScheduleGoal: Emergency Planning and Prevention

Short Term Milestone: Year One

Incorporate existing TEK as the foundation for watershed planning, management and protection.

Obtain public input into draft watershed management plan through partnership collaboration and watershed community meetings.

Petition Outstanding Tribal Resource Water Bodies and Wetlands to Tribal Council for Protection.

Collect wetland water quality data in the Saint Mary watershed, continue with wetlands monitoring work with an emphasis on locating additional high quality wetlands. Monitoring will be used to identify additional protection and restoration sites, detect violations to O-90A when found, identify future wetland watershed projects and establish baseline condition of area wetlands that can be referenced to monitor changes in wetland condition.

Develop a network of partners to propose sites for conservation easements and improved rest/rotation grazing management practices for Tribal lands.

Obtain funding for release of bio-control insects to control spotted knapweed and leafy spurge in the watershed, with an emphasis on wetlands, riparian areas and wetland buffers.

Employ local community members for aquatic invasive species check station at Lower Saint Mary and Duck Lake and other watershed related projects.

Develop Saint Mary Canal Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect water quality, water dependent fauna and prevent aquatic invasive species.

Collaborate with Tribal Forestry and other technical advisors to implement forested buffer zones to protect surface water quality, riparian areas, lakes and wetlands.

Collaborate with partners to identify culverts that need clearing, repair or resizing and develop measures to reduce impacts to tribal wetlands and improve water flow.

Use innovative methods to encourage healthy beaver populations for water-related ecological benefits.

Implement methods to protect native pollinators, honey bees and flora from pesticides and address invasive species.

Develop and update watershed wetland mapping and conduct GIS analysis and maps for community emergency planning, wetland conservation, wildlife conservation and travel corridors and other mapping tools to address climate impacts/scenarios to area communities and natural resources.

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Short Term Milestones (Years 2-5): Anticipated Results

Reduction of non-point source pollutant sources through regulation, improved surface water flow, retention and catchment through wetland conservation, restoration and best management practices (Appendix 1).

Addition of conserved wetlands on Tribal, allotted and fee lands Monitoring of additional outstanding wetlands for conservation. Implementation of wetland restoration projects in the watershed. Exclusion of aquatic invasive species and implementation of bio-control methods for

noxious weed species. Development of local job opportunities related to watershed management projects. Continued water quality data and wetland condition monitoring. Improved water catchment, flood storage, attenuation of water and improved canal

diversion practices. Improved wetland maps and mapping products to assist climate change adaptation

strategies for communities, wildlife and natural resources.

Mid-Term Milestones (Years 5-10): Anticipated Results

Evaluate wetland acreage conserved and restored by wetland ecosystem type within the watershed.

Facilitate additional wetland conservation and restoration projects. Monitor bio-control release for noxious plant species and exclude noxious aquatic

invasive species Examine water quality data, temperature and precipitation data, record anomalous

weather related events and adjust planning and priorities as needed. Investigate additional concerns to improve water quality, wildlife and ecosystem

protection. Develop Saint Mary Diversion Project and Rehabilitation plan with Working Groups and

Partners

Long Term Milestones (Goals Achieved)

Water quality protection and monitoring

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Improved water catchment, storage, discharge Conserved and restored wetland acreage, function and ecological integrity Reduction of fecal coliform levels and non-point source pollutants Exclusion of aquatic invasive species and reduction of noxious weed species Community preparedness and assistance during run-off or storm or fire-related events Preservation of biodiversity and local economies

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The Blackfeet Tribe and BIA includes several administrative divisions; including Agriculture, Environmental Office, Lands, Irrigation and Water Management, Fish and Wildlife, Forestry and Fire Management, Business, and Tourism. Tribal Offices and BIA Departments can further collaborate on projects, enforcing tribal laws and practices affecting water resources and wetlands. Additional identified partners to watershed planning and project development include:

Saint Mary Elders, Community Members

The Blackfeet Tribe and Tribal Office Divisions

The Blood and Southern Piegan First Nations of Alberta, Canada

Blackfeet Community College

Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribe

Blackfeet Weeds Working Group

US Environmental Protection Agency

Salish-Kootenai College

US National Park Service

US Forest Service

US Geological Service

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Bureau of Reclamation/Army Corps of Engineers

National Resource Conservation Service

US Fish and Wildlife Service

MT Department of Environmental Quality

MT Department of Transportation

MT Department of Reclamation/Saint Mary Working Group

MT Tourism Board

University of Montana, Montana State University

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Partnership Collaboration

Collaborative partnership projects will support TEK-based watershed planning that can be applied to other watershed planning and climate change adaptation strategies elsewhere in the state and region.

Several supporting projects to achieve Saint Mary watershed planning goals have been identified. These include:

1) Develop TEK based cultural workshops to develop watershed planning and project development.

2) Water Quality and Wetland Monitoring

Partners: Blood Tribe, US EPA, MT DEQ, Blackfeet Community College

Improved Water Quality and Wetland Monitoring: assist Tribal water quality monitoring efforts and development of wetland water quality standards.

3) Ordinance 90-A Enforcement

Partners: US EPA

Secure additional funding for on-going O-90A enforcement.

4) Updated Wetland Mapping

Partners: University of Montana/Montana Natural Heritage Program, Blackfeet Community College

Improved Watershed Wetland Mapping: measure wetland loss against historical NWI maps; assess wetland areas and ecosystem types vulnerable to loss

5) Wetland Conservation and Restoration

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Identified Solutions through Project Proposals

Partners: US EPA, USFS, Tribes, Non-Profits, NRCS, Blackfeet Community College, USFWS

-Facilitate wetland conservation and restoration projects and conservation easements in the watershed, with an emphasis on groundwater dependent wetlands, occurrences of species of concern and cultural species.

Facilitate riparian restoration projects, critical to water quality, important fisheries and sensitive species of the watershed.

Encourage formation of Lower Saint Mary Lake and River Group

6) Bio-control release to manage noxious weeds w/ focus on wetlands and riparian areas.

Partners: University of Montana and Montana State University, Blackfeet Community College, community members, off-Reservation cattle producers.

Improve wetland and upland buffer ecological condition: bio-control releases and monitoring for spotted knapweed and leafy spurge; encourage improved rest/rotation practices on grazing leases and Fee lands.

7) Aquatic Invasive Species Monitoring

Partners: Montana State Weed Board, Blackfeet Community College, Glacier County Weed District, National Park Service, Flathead Basin Commission

Develop Aquatic Invasive Species Check Station at Saint Mary and Duck Lake to protect Reservation waters: develop informative pamphlets and other education tools for area residents and visitors.

Perform Routine Monitoring of Area Lakes for Aquatic Invasive Species.

8) Protect wetland area wildlife corridors in the watershed

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Partners: Tribal Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife, National Park Service, MDOT, community members, Blackfeet Community College

Identify and collaborate to protect wildlife corridors and improve water flow, water quality, wetland impacts and tribal natural resources during road construction projects.

9) Update and implement forestry BMPs for wetland/riparian areas buffer protection.

Partners: Tribal Forestry and Fire, Tribes, US Forest Service, National Park Service, MDOT, USGS, community members

Establish forestry buffer zones and updated BMPs for stream and wetland protection, to minimize sediment loading during runoff and post-fire events to improve water quality in areas of concern.

10) Saint Mary Canal Management

Partners: BIA, Saint Mary Canal users, USFWS, NRCS

Improve Saint Canal and Dam usage and further protect threatened aquatic species in Lower Saint Mary Lake through improved management. Address siphon repair and infrastructure in the watershed.

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12) Protect pollinators that contribute important services to watershed quality and water quality.

Partners: Saint Mary Honey producers, Montana State University, University of Montana, US EPA, community members

Develop strategy to protect native pollinators and native flora and protect local bee-keeping operations from pesticides (insecticides and herbicides).

Develop educational materials on the importance of wetland flora for sustaining healthy pollinator populations.

13) Promote benefits of beaver populations in improving water quality and storage capacity of area wetlands.

Partners: Community members, landowners, Non-profits, NPS, USFWS

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Develop strategies to encourage and maintain healthy beaver populations in the watershed to preserve the numerous ecological and biophysical services that protect water quality, enhance water storage and catchment, sediment capture, while enhancing biodiversity and providing diverse habitat for other area wildlife.

14) Collaborate with Tribal and State Tourism Offices and Wildlife Non-profits to promote Reservation area eco-tourism.

Partners: State Tourism Board, Tribal Tourism Division, Non-Profits

Develop Reservation Eco-tourism media and outreach materials that describe area lakes and wetlands that can be used to train, develop and support local eco-tourism services and guides.

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Proposed Watershed Project Title

No. of partners Estimated Financial Cost (2-5 yrs)

Potential Financial Source(s)

No. Tribal members/residents employed

*Ordinance 90A Enforcement

1 Existing US EPA 1

* Water Quality Monitoring

1 Existing US EPA 2

* Wetland Program Development

1 Existing US EPA 1-2

Updated Wetland Mapping

2 10,000.00 US EPA 1-2

TEK based cultural workshops and outreach

multiple 25,000 Non-profits 2

Wetland Conservation and Restoration

multiple 100,000.00 US EPA, NRCS, Non-Profits

1-2

Bio-control of noxious weed species

4 15,000.00/y State Weed Board, USDA NRCS

2

Invasive Aquatic Species Management

5 25,000.00/y State of Montana 2

Wetland Wildlife corridors

6 25,000.00 USFWS, US EPA, FWP

2

Improved Forest Buffers

6 25,000.00 USFS, US EPA, USGS, NPS

1

Saint Mary Canal multiple 10,000.00 Bureau of reclamation, NRCS

1

Beaver restoration or relocation

3 10,000.00 Non-profits 1

Water-related emergency planning

7 25,000.00 FEMA, BIA 1

Reservation eco-tourism

4 25,000.00 State Tourism board, Non-profits

2

14 watershed projects Multiple partners 285,000.00 Multiple sources 22 employed

The Saint Mary watershed is the headwaters of Hudson Bay, an international water course of regional and international concern. Protecting, conserving and restoring area wetlands and

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Project Technical/Financial Assistance Requirements and Tribal Employment ResultsSummary

lakes are crucial to preserving the watershed’s exceptional water quality, biodiversity and protecting area residences and communities. Area wetlands provide habitat and travel corridors for wildlife migration, seasonal dispersal, range expansion and emergency travel routes during fire events. Wetlands support exceptional biodiversity and are refugia for aquatic dependent, dispersal-limited fauna and flora, including those taxa dependent on colder water, soil and air temperatures. Supporting resilience to climate change impacts in the Saint Mary watershed will require collaboration, project implementation and the active involvement of area Elders, community members and agencies. Watershed related projects proposed in this plan provide a range of community and ecological benefits. Preserving and maintaining area water quality and wetlands is the most cost-effective approach to climate adaptation.

References:

ASWM (American Society of Wetland Managers). 2015. Wetlands and Climate Change: Considerations for Wetland Program Managers.

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Blackfeet Tribe Surface Water Quality Standards and Anti-Degradation Policy. 2013. Blackfeet Environmental Office. Prepared for the US Environmental Protection Agency. 61 p.

Cannon, M.R. US Geological Service. 1996. Geology and Groundwater Map of the Blackfeet Reservation, Northwestern Montana.

Cooper S.V and W.M. Jones. 2003. Site descriptions of high quality wetlands derived from existing literature sources. Montana Natural Heritage Program. Helena, MT. 68 p.

DNRC. Montana Department of Natural Resources. Saint Mary Diversion Facilities. Points of Interest. Helena MT.

Hall M and D. Fagre. 2003. Model Climate Induced Glacier Change in Glacier National Park, 1850-2100. BioScience 53 (2) 131-140.

Kunkel, K.E, L.E. Stevens, S.E. Stevens, L. Sun, E. Janssen, D. Wuebbles, M.C. Kruk, D.P. Thomas, M. Shulski, N. Umphlett, K. Hubbard, K. Robbins, L. Romolo, A. Akyuz, T. Pathak, T. Bergantino, and J.G. Dobson, 2013: Regional Climate Trends and Scenarios for the U.S. National Climate Assessment. Part 4. Climate of the U.S. Great Plains, NOAA. Technical Report NESDIS 142-4. 82 p.

Leibowitz, S.G. 2003a. Isolated wetlands: state of the science and future directions. Wetlands. 23 (3): 633-684.

Leibowitz, S.G. 2003b. Isolated wetlands and their functions: an ecological perspective. Wetlands. 23 (3): 517-531.

Leibowitz, S.G., and K.C. Vining. 2003. Temporal connectivity in a prairie pothole complex. Wetlands 23(1):13-25.

Luna, Weatherwax and Running Wolf. 2015. Saint Mary Wetlands Monitoring Report 2015. Report prepared for the Blackfeet Environmental Office and US EPA. Browning, MT. June 2015.

Luna, Weatherwax and Running Wolf 2015. Blackfeet Wetlands Conservation Report. Report prepared for the Blackfeet Environmental Office and US EPA. Browning, MT. September 2015.

Johnson, W.C., B. Werner, G.R. Guntenspergen, R.A. Voldseth, B. Millet, D.E. Naugle, M. Tulbure, R.W.H. Carroll, J. Tracy, and C. Olawsky. 2010. Prairie wetland complexes as landscape functional units in a changing climate. BioScience 60(2):128-140.

Pederson GT, Graumlich L, Fagre D, Kipfer T, Muhlfeld C. 2010. A century of climate and ecosystem change in Western Montana: what do temperature trends portend? Climate Change 98: 133-154.

US Global Change Research Program. Karl T, Melillo JM, and Peterson TC (editors). 2009. Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. Cambridge University Press. 189 p.

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U.S.EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) 2013. Incorporating Wetlands in Watershed Planning. EPA Region 5. 131 p.

Vance, L.K. 2009. Geographically isolated wetlands and intermittent ephemeral streams in Montana: extent, distribution and function. Montana Natural Heritage Program. Helena, Montana. 43 p.

van der Kamp, G. and M. Hayashi. 1998. The groundwater recharge function of small wetlands in the semi-arid northern prairie. Great Plains Research. 8: 39-56.

van der Kamp, G. and M. Hayashi. 2009. Groundwater wetland ecosystem interaction in the semiarid glaciated plains of North America. Hydrogeology Journal. 17 (1): 201-214.

Wagner G and others. 2016 (in progress). Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Plan for the Blackfeet Tribe. Blackfeet Environmental Office. Browning MT.

Whigham, D. F. and T. E. Jordan . 2003. Isolated wetlands and water quality. Wetlands. 23 (1): 540-548.

Winter, T. C. 2000. The vulnerability of wetlands to climate change: a hydrologic landscape perspective. Journal of the American Water Resources Association. 36:305–11.

Winter, T. C. and J. W. LaBaugh. 2003. Hydrologic considerations in defining isolated wetlands. Wetlands 23 (3):532–540.

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