Rock Creek Wetland Restoration
The Natural Resources Conservation Service dedicated the first Wetlands
Reserve Program (WRP) easement in eastern Montana on Earth Day, April 22.
The Rock Creek wetland restoration project involves a permanent WRP easement
and the restoration of 3,475 acres of grasslands in northeastern Montana, near
Hinsdale in Valley County. This part of the state is known for the regional
importance of glaciated prairie potholes to migratory birds.
The landowners’ goal is to achieve the greatest value of wildlife habitat
possible by improving the resources that exist in the area now. The WRP easement
encompasses approximately 500 acres of wetlands and 2,985 acres of uplands,
which offer an excellent opportunity to develop essential wildlife habitat.
The WRP project will involve the restoration and enhancement of the degraded
wetlands and grasslands to more closely resemble the historical condition once
found on the site. Project objectives include the following items.
- Restoration of a 30-acre glaciated pothole located on the northern
portion of the property.
- Development of a 470-acre wetland complex.
- Restoration of the native grasslands.
- Establishment of dense nesting cover areas for avian species.
- Restoration of sagebrush habitat.
- Subsequent wildlife habitat management of these acres.
The uplands are composed of 1,000 acres of meadows that have been used for
crop production and approximately 1,987 acres of degraded rangeland. By
establishing native grass and sagebrush communities across all of the existing
upland acres, the area will provide resting, foraging, and nesting opportunities
for migratory birds, shorebirds, and other upland species such as sage grouse,
sharp-tailed grouse, and pheasants.
The preliminary wetland restoration plan outlines the development of six
wetland areas that will provide a variety of wetland types. The wetland complex
will have semi-permanent, seasonal, and temporary wetlands that will be managed
to maintain ideal habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds. A glaciated pothole will
also be restored on the northern portion of the easement. The wetland
restoration will ensure that migratory birds such as northern pintails and
mallards can nest and raise broods on the site.
Once the restoration and enhancement practices are complete, the site will
provide the types of habitat needed by several species of waterfowl, shorebirds,
wading birds, game birds, and other neotropical migratory birds that utilize the
area.
This project was made possible because of the dedication and enthusiasm of
many people, especially the landowners, Rock Creek Lands Partnership LLC. The
Natural Resources Conservation Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Montana
Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; Ducks Unlimited; and Land and Water Consulting, Inc.
have contributed technical expertise, time, and funds to ensure the success of
the Rock Creek WRP wetland restoration project.
![Bill Puckett at dedication. Prairie pothole is visible amid cropland in the backgrouns.](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090109055101im_/http://www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/images/wrpimages/puckett.jpg)
Bill Puckett, NRCS deputy chief for soil survey and resource assessment, was
present for the dedication. A wetland area typical of the prairie pothole region
is visible in the the background.
Last Modified: 04/25/2005
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