Fish Creek Watershed Management Planning – 2023
Thank you all for attending our Public Stakeholder Meeting on June 7, 2023 at the Old Wilson Schoolhouse. We appreciate the attendance and helpful discussion. If you missed the meeting and would like to view the presentations, please access them in the video below.
Public Stakeholder Survey
Please complete the survey below to enter your comments about the creation of a Fish Creek Watershed Management Plan. We appreciate your feedback!
Fish Creek Survey: Provide your feedback here!
Background
The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) listed Fish Creek as an impaired waterbody in 2020 due to E. coli bacteria concentrations exceeding the recreation use standard. With assistance from Alder Environmental LLC, Teton Conservation District (TCD) is leading a comprehensive watershed planning effort for Fish Creek, with the goal of developing a Watershed Management Plan. The purpose of this Plan is to restore water and habitat quality in the Fish Creek Watershed to meet regulatory requirements and to achieve stakeholder goals. An approved Watershed Management Plan allows the use of federal funds for restoration projects within the watershed. Through gathering stakeholder and public input, we hope to prioritize watershed management practices and policies to improve and protect Fish Creek.
Objective
The Watershed Plan will be submitted by TCD to WDEQ for approval as a nine-element watershed-based plan and may also be submitted as an alternative to a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). This will aid in securing federal funding to implement best management practices and monitoring for use-support determinations, that will improve the water quality in Fish Creek.
Stakeholder Input
Stakeholder input and feedback are very valuable to the Watershed Management Plan development process. There are several ways to be involved and provide input:
Attend the Public Stakeholder Meeting – Wednesday, June 7th, 2023, from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Old Wilson Schoolhouse Community Center (5655 Main St., Wilson, WY) or online via Zoom (register here for Zoom link).
Email or mail written comment to Dan Leaman at Alder Environmental (dan@alderenv.com or P.O. Box 6519, Jackson, WY 83002).
Submit formal comments using the online public input survey at the top of this page.
For more information, please email or call Dan Leaman with Alder Environmental LLC at 307-733-5031 or dan@alderenv.com.
Public Stakeholder Meeting Details
When: Wednesday, June 7th, 2023, 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Where: Old Wilson Schoolhouse, 5655 W Main Street, Wilson WY 83014 or via Zoom. Register for Zoom link here.
Who: Anyone who is interested in learning more or providing input to the Fish Creek Watershed Management Plan is welcome and encouraged to attend!
What: Input will be gathered on information to be included in the watershed management plan, as well as thoughts on the prioritization of proposed future watershed improvements and research study activities. We want to hear from you!
Meeting Agenda
Introductory Presentation and Background (Alder Environmental)
Past Research and Body of Knowledge Summary (Teton Conservation District)
Nutrient Research and Regulatory Perspective (Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality)
Stakeholder Feedback and Input Period (Alder Environmental)
History of Fish Creek Stakeholder Group
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) performed focused studies in the Fish Creek watershed from 2004-2012, which found that excessive plant growth increased with downstream length, suggesting elevated nutrient concentration and transport in the watershed. The Fish Creek Stakeholder Group, previously Friends of Fish Creek (FOFC), was created in 2014 as a collaborative group with the goal of addressing nutrient pollution in Fish Creek. Targeted water quality studies and best management practices have since been implemented to improve water quality within the watershed. However, the actions taken in the watershed have not been documented and coordinated through comprehensive watershed planning.
The Fish Creek Stakeholders Group includes all individuals and organizations that are working to help restore the Fish Creek watershed. The group has initiated a watershed-wide source nutrient study with the United States Geological Survey and will develop a preferred set of options for science-based restoration.
Collaborative problem solving allows stakeholders to work together on a common issue. When multiple stakeholders work together, the resulting vision better achieves mutual goals. Collaboration leads to stronger, more enduring solutions. These community leaders are committed to restoring and protecting Fish Creek by implementing best practices.
