Official Department Position Papers

The Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers In North Dakota ( Williston Reach) - A Report to the Director, 2002

BACKGROUND

The Missouri River of the 1800's has been inalterably changed as a result of numerous channelization and impoundment projects (six main stem dams were constructed beginning in the 1930s). What was once a turbid, warm, and dynamic river has been transformed and segmented into six large storage reservoirs, more than 700 miles of rock lined channel, and five smaller reaches of unchannelized river with highly regulated flows. Dam construction and channelization have collectively and dramatically modified fish and wildlife habitat throughout the entire Missouri River. Main-stem dams have eliminated migrational movements of fish, modified the hydro cycle, changed the depositional nature of sediment carried by the Missouri River and its tributaries, all but eliminated the periodic inundation of the flood plain, transformed the configuration of the river channel and associated backwaters, and caused colder summer water temperatures.

Of the approximately 350 miles of the Missouri River System (MRS) in North Dakota, there are roughly 50 miles of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers above Williston that remain semi-natural in terms of form and function. This area, termed the Williston Reach, is truly unparalleled not only in North Dakota but throughout the Missouri River Basin, due primarily to the influences of the Yellowstone River.

FIGURE 1.

The final 18 miles of the 678 miles of the Yellowstone River lies within North Dakota. It joins with the Missouri River at river mile 1581 and above the confluence of these two rivers, the Missouri extends only about 5 miles upstream before it meets the Montana border (see Figure 1). Downstream from the confluence, the Missouri River is free-flowing until it encounters the headwaters of Lake Sakakawea. Depending upon Lake Sakakawea's elevation, the length of this free-flowing stretch may be as little as 15 miles (e.g. 1997) to as many as 50 miles (e.g. 1991). A tremendous amount of sediment has accumulated in the headwaters of Lake Sakakawea (estimated annual deposit rate of 26,000 acre-feet annually). This sediment has buried the old river channel downstream of river mile 1535 (approximately). Lower elevations in Lake Sakakawea does not provide additional riverine habitat but rather exposes vast expanses of accumulated sediments. The Little Muddy River, which enters the Missouri River from the north just east of Williston, is the only significant tributary of either the Missouri or Yellowstone rivers within the Williston Reach.

The Missouri River above Lake Sakakawea is unique to the entire MRS because it exhibits characteristics of two very dissimilar rivers. The Yellowstone River is basically unregulated, with no main stem impoundments, and thus exhibits natural, seasonally high flows of turbid water. However, a few tributary impoundments do have an influence on the Yellowstone's flow. For example, Yellowtail Reservoir on the Bighorn River (a significant tributary to the Yellowstone River in Montana), impounds nearly a million acre-feet of water and limits the natural, high discharges of the Bighorn into the Yellowstone during snow-melt periods. The average annual flow of the Yellowstone River at its lowest gauge station (at Sidney, Montana) is 12,250 cubic feet per second, with a maximum instantaneous flow estimated at 159,000 cfs in June 1921. Due to upstream water depletion projects, flows in the Yellowstone River have declined by approximately 24% from historical levels. Contrary to the Yellowstone River, the flows of the Missouri River upstream of the confluence are highly regulated (mostly by Ft. Peck Dam, approximately 200 river miles above the confluence), with summer flows relatively clear and cool. Since closure of Ft. Peck Dam in 1937, annual flows of the Missouri River at its lowest gauge station above the confluence with the Yellowstone River (at Culbertson, Montana) have averaged 10,270 cfs. The peak post-impoundment flow for this reach of 78,200 cfs occurred in March 1943.

Due to the meandering nature of both rivers and the fact that the Yellowstone remains unregulated and flows northeasterly, occasional but significant ice-jams occur in this reach. For example, gauge readings during a March 1994 ice-jam in the confluence area produced a flood stage equivalent to flows well in excess of 100,000 cfs. In fact, several of the highest stages ever recorded were caused by ice jams and not necessarily high discharges.

Because the Williston Reach of the Missouri River retains many of the components of a natural river, the fish species assemblage is both unique and very important. Species typical of turbid riverine conditions such as paddlefish, sauger, big mouth and smallmouth buffalo, shovelnose sturgeon, and channel catfish, are abundant and naturally sustained. Walleye and northern pike which thrive in downstream Lake Sakakawea are also seasonally common and support very popular sport fisheries during periods of the year (i.e. when the water is relatively clear). Most of the 41 fish species that have been documented in this reach are generalists and are found across a wide range of habitat and geography. However, several species that require particular and increasingly limited habitat can also be found in the Williston Reach. For example, this reach represents one of the last strongholds for pallid sturgeon (federally endangered), and sicklefin and sturgeon chubs (both considered endangered on the American Fisheries Society Dakota Chapter list). In addition, the Williston Reach of the Missouri River supports one of the most viable populations of paddlefish anywhere within the species range. The critical importance of this reach to several fish species of national predominance, as well as its significance to other federally listed and important wildlife species, indicates that this reach is the most significant aquatic habitat in North Dakota.

The US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) purchased the entire lake bed and shoreline of Lake Sakakawea prior to its impoundment. The acquisition boundary for this reservoir included a substantial portion (approximately 25 river miles) of the Missouri River upstream of Lake Sakakawea. This headwater stretch is occasionally impacted by very high lake levels. The shoreline and much of the floodplain within this Reach, which generally extends from the area near the mouth of the Little Muddy River (RM 1547) upstream to the Erickson Island area (RM 1574), is almost entirely publicly owned land. Most of this land is managed for fish and wildlife purposes by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGFD) as the Lewis and Clark, and Trenton Wildlife Management Areas. Public ownership and management have established a substantial riparian corridor of willows and cottonwoods, which in turn benefit wildlife species such as beaver, white-tail deer, pheasants and bald eagles. The multitude of islands and sandbars of varying elevation throughout the Williston Reach also provide breeding habitat for Canada geese and federally threatened and endangered least terns and piping plovers.

Another unique aspect of the Williston Reach is its' remoteness caused in large part by the relative lack of boating access sites and boat traffic. There are only three boat ramps on the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers upstream of the headwaters of Lake Sakakawea. In fact, there are no boat ramps on the Missouri in nearly 30 miles between the Highway 85 boating access site (RM 1552) and the confluence boating access area (RM 1581). As a result, the entire middle portion of the Williston Reach receives only limited, seasonal boat usage.

The reality of the Williston Reach is that most of the land use on privately owned property along the river and throughout much of the active floodplain consists of high-intensity agricultural use, primarily irrigated sugar beets. Oil development is concentrated along much of the reach (even on public lands), thus oil wells, pipelines and oilfield traffic are commonplace. Irrigation project return flow ditches serve as conduits for the delivery of agricultural fertilizers and contaminants (i.e. herbicides and pesticides) and potential avenues for allowing oil spills to directly enter and contaminate the Missouri and/or Yellowstone rivers. Any such spill has the capability of greatly impacting the aquatic ecosystem. High land values coupled with valuable subsurface minerals complicate potential alternatives for protecting the Williston Reach from further habitat degradation.

NEED

Although the MRS has become a highly segmented ecosystem, each reach from Ft. Peck to St. Louis may have direct or indirect impacts on the others. This is very apparent in the Williston Reach, where the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers above their confluence are so dissimilar, yet the Missouri River below the confluence still maintains many of the same functions as it did before the system was greatly modified. Since approximately one-half of the flows of the Missouri River below the confluence are controlled by Ft. Peck Dam, balancing the riverine habitat needs and demands requires a holistic approach toward management and protection. Management actions need to consider both upstream and downstream ramifications, and specific needs for each reach.

In order to best meet the needs of the various river users, while still protecting the valued fish, wildlife and associated habitat of the Williston Reach, an objective assessment of management possibilities needs to be conducted. This includes the development and implementation of a resource conservation plan. Public expectations need to be appropriately framed within the context of physical reality. Well-intentioned but unrealistic desires to manage the river for a set of conditions which cannot be economically or ecologically justified must be identified and avoided. Any plan should be driven by unbiased hydrological and biological data complemented with sound public education. In the end, the goal for the Corps, North Dakota, and other states, should focus on sustaining a healthy river environment.

CHARACTERISTICS

The characteristics of the Williston Reach necessary to maintain and improve the form and function of the river, including the current fishery and aesthetic components, include:

1. A braided channel in at least 25% percent of the river.
2. A dynamic channel that is allowed to move laterally, through erosion and accretion, rather than vertically. Channel degradation typically is a cumulative result of bank stabilization, channelization and upstream impoundment.
3. Maintenance of the current magnitude, seasonality and other components of the hydrology of the Yellowstone River.
4. Restoration of a more natural, pre-impoundment hydrology (including temperature regime) for the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam.
5. Maintain tributary magnitude and duration of discharge which allow for unrestricted fish passage.
6. Protection and restoration of flood plain woodlands, backwaters and associated wetlands which sustain the river's values.
7. Land management activities which minimize pollution/pesticide inputs.

ISSUES and RECOMMENDATIONS

This section identifies issues of importance and recommendations within the Williston Reach.

1. Fish Management
   Fisheries management actions for this reach include regulations, access, stocking, water management (i.e., flow regimes), and habitat protection/enhancement. The current recreational fishery within the Williston Reach is highly seasonal. Paddlefish, sauger, walleye, northern pike, channel catfish and burbot are important constituents of this fishery, especially from late summer through spring which are clearer water periods.
   
   Several other fish species, although not recreationally important, are of national significance. Habitat within the Williston Reach is critically important for the pallid sturgeon, North Dakota's only federally listed endangered fish species, as well as the sicklefin and sturgeon chubs (two species that nearly warranted federal listing). These three species of fish, along with other unique species such as flathead chub, blue sucker, shovelnose sturgeon and paddlefish, constitute a truly remarkable assemblage of increasingly rare species. The Williston Reach likely supports the largest composite population of these fish species anywhere.
   
   Presently, there are two fish management plans that loosely guide management, protection and restoration of several of these species. The Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Plan, along with efforts of the Upper Basin Pallid Sturgeon Work Group, have established and prioritized work activities needed to restore the pallid sturgeon. The inter jurisdictional Paddlefish Management Plan, which deals with various components of paddlefish harvest regulation, conservation and habitat management, has been developed and implemented by the states of North Dakota and Montana.
   
   In addition to the issues listed in the aforementioned management plans, success for fish management within the Williston Reach is dependent on providing and maintaining adequate habitat (with specific recommendations as outlined elsewhere within this document). Also, as boat usage within this Reach continues to intensify, it may reach a level where it negatively impacts the areas natural resources (i.e. collisions with paddlefish). If so, specific horsepower, speed regulations and/or closures should be adopted to alleviate these impacts.
   
   
2. Flow Regime
   The importance of the Williston Reach to the entire MRS is founded in the continued maintenance of healthy populations of its rarer, native fish species. The fate of these rare species within the Williston Reach is directly related to the quality and quantity of habitat and maintenance of the historic hydrograph.
   
   For Yellowstone River - Maintain the current hydrology of the Yellowstone River
   including magnitude, duration and seasonality of flows.
   
   For Fort Peck releases (Missouri River) - The present release pattern from Fort Peck
   Dam generally includes relatively low releases in spring and early summer and higher releases in mid to late summer, fall and winter (compared to historic flows). This release pattern is implemented primarily to benefit downstream flood control and hydropower interests which are generally very detrimental to fishery needs.
   
   A change in the release pattern from Ft. Peck, specifically to benefit fish and wildlife resource needs, has been recommended by the Missouri River Natural Resources Committee (representatives of the Missouri River basin game and fish agencies) and several others entities. This recommendation, which is yet to be implemented and evaluated, was developed with NDGFD input. The following is a description of that recommendation. Initiate increased flows from the dam for a 30-day period when the lake surface water temperature reaches 18 degrees C. Powerhouse and spillway releases shall be adjusted to attain a target river temperature of 18 degrees C at the Wolf Point, Montana gage. Depending upon the water year, releases from Fort Peck Dam would be as follows:
   
   - For an upper Quartile runoff year: adjust dam and spillway releases to achieve an average flow of 24,000 cfs at the Wolf Point, Montana United States Geological Survey stream gage with a one-day peak flow of 38,000 cfs attained during the second week of the 30-day period. During projected upper decile runoff years, the proposed 38,000 cfs one-day release from Ft. Peck would be reduced if the Yellowstone River flow (Sidney gauge) is more than 60,000 cfs. Likewise, the proposed 24,000 cfs 30-day release from Ft. Peck would be reduced until the Yellowstone flow dropped below 70,000 cfs. This is based on the desire not to surpass the mid-June 1997 inflow (from the two rivers) into Lake Sakakawea of approximately 100,000 cfs.
   
   - For a lower Quartile-Upper Quartile runoff year: adjust dam releases to achieve an average flow of 18,000 cfs at the Wolf Point, Montana stream gage with a one-day peak flow of 27,500 cfs attained during the second week of the 30-day period.
   
   - For a below Lower Quartile runoff year: adjust dam releases to achieve a target flow of 11,500 cfs at the Wolf Point, Montana stream gage between May 11 and June 30. This flow is necessary to maintain suitable spawning and incubation habitat for sauger and other native fish species.
   
   The remainder of the year a flow of at least 7,000 cfs should be provided at the Wolf Point gage for maintenance of riffles and fish rearing pools. In addition, powerhouse and spillway releases must be adjusted through August 20 to ensure suitable water temperatures (at least 18 degrees C at the Wolf Point, Montana gage) for development and survival of native riverine fish eggs, fry, and juveniles. Preliminary data collected by the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department indicate that at least 25 % of the discharge should be through the spillway to attain suitable downstream water temperatures.
   
   * NOTE: as of 2001, the Corps was continuing work on NEPA requirements in order to move forward with modifying Ft. Peck releases. This included implementing and funding a biological monitoring program with data collection beginning in the summer of 2001. Ft Peck release modifications were also included in the USFWS Biological Opinion for Missouri River endangered species.
   
   
3. Endangered Species
   Four federally listed species are present in the Williston Reach: piping plover, least tern, bald eagle, and pallid sturgeon. The plover, tern, and sturgeon recovery plans include efforts and/or objectives within the Williston Reach. Several other species have been petitioned and/or evaluated for listing. The management recommendations, as identified within the respective recovery plans, should be implemented in order to prevent the listing of additional species and to aid the recovery of listed species.
   
   
4. Bank Stabilization/Shoreline Management
   Most of the aquatic habitat in the Williston Reach is continually being rearranged by an active river channel that scours riverbanks and creates a maze of sandbars. River meandering, including both erosion and accretion, is a natural process that is vital to both the creation and maintenance of a healthy river ecosystem. Unfortunately, the purpose of bank stabilization is to reduce lateral erosion, which will ultimately result in riverbed degradation in some areas. If the river can't maintain its sediment load via bank erosion, it will take sediment from the river bottom.
   
   Approximately 9% of the Williston Reach has been directly affected by revetments, jetties, riprap, car bodies, tires, sheet/wood pilings, or channelization (this estimate includes the impacts to nearly four miles of meandering river around what is now Erickson Island, where the river was straightened by the Corps). For comparative purposes, approximately 30% of the Garrison Reach of the Missouri below Garrison Dam has been directly stabilized.
   
   The vast majority of the perceived need to complete additional bank stabilization projects within this reach stems from the highly intense agricultural use of the floodplain. This is especially true at many locations where crops are planted right up to the edge of the river. There is a great need to protect the riparian corridor along much of the private portions of the Williston Reach from additional bank stabilization efforts. Programs to obtain conservation easements and riparian areas in fee title should be developed, funded and implemented to help alleviate the demand for additional bank stabilization. In the event that significant impacts caused by erosion to private lands are documented, sloughing or conservation easements (as identified by the Corps as the most prudent alternative) should be obtained from the affected landowners, in lieu of bank stabilization. In addition to being far more environmentally friendly, sloughing easements, conservation easements, and fee title acquisition tend to be more economically feasible alternatives than riprapping. The Corps estimated that the cost to complete traditional bank stabilization was approximately $600,000 to $1 million dollars per mile. As an example, in 1996 the Corps stabilized approximately 4,000 lineal feet of the Williston Reach using so-called >environmentally-friendly' bank stabilization techniques. The cost of this effort was about $450,000, or $113 per lineal foot (not including an estimated $8,000 annual maintenance cost). By comparison, the cost of purchasing the bank in fee title or acquiring a sloughing easement on the adjacent land was evaluated at $69,000, or only $17 per lineal foot.
   
   Even though approximately 40% of the shoreline and adjoining lands of the Williston Reach of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers are in public ownership, bank stabilization efforts continue to be recommended in order to protect select infrastructure, regardless of land ownership. The purpose and need for any additional bank stabilization should be critically evaluated, and only under extreme circumstances should any additional rip-rapping or bank stabilization be allowed. At the very least, no additional public funds should be spent if the sole intent of the project is to protect adjoining private property interests.
   
   
5. Sovereign Lands
   Sovereign lands are those areas, including the bed and islands, lying within the ordinary high watermark of navigable lakes and streams within North Dakota. The Yellowstone and Missouri rivers are considered navigable. Generally speaking, the public has a right to use sovereign lands for nondestructive, recreational purposes (in some rare instances, the state may prohibit the public's use of these lands for just causes). A substantial portion of the sovereign land near the Confluence provides good fish and wildlife habitat and offers excellent recreational opportunities. However, the public's use and access to many of these areas is becoming increasingly restricted due to confrontations with riparian landowners.
   
   Currently there is a dispute among some riparian landowners and recreational users over the location or existence of sovereign land in the Confluence area. Because of the dynamic nature of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers, the bed and islands within a particular reach may change considerably in a short time. These changes make it difficult to clearly identify the ordinary high water mark used to define or establish sovereign land. As a result, some adjoining landowners are claiming riparian ownership (private) and restricting access and use over what recreational users contend is sovereign land.
   
   The Department is currently working with the State Engineer's office to develop a process that will assist in the identification of sovereign land in the Williston Reach. This process should identify and confirm the public's right of ingress and egress to a sizeable area of additional public land for fishing, hunting and other recreational uses. In addition, it should reduce modification/alteration (e.g. bank stabilization) of public lands.
   
   
6. Oil / Gas Development
   A considerable amount of oil and gas development/activity has been conducted in this Reach. More than 20 wells and numerous pipelines are within the active floodplain, and on occasion are completely submerged during periods of high river flows and/or high lake levels. Although several fairly minor oil spills have occurred in recent years, no major spills have yet impacted this reach. However, a major spill within this reach has the potential to cause severe negative impacts. Most of the oil field companies have oil spill contingency plans. Many of these same companies have purchased some of the needed equipment and supplies and have had their employees complete mock oil spillway cleanup activities. The US Fish and Wildlife Service developed an oil spill contingency plan in response to a spill on the west side of Erickson Island in the mid 1990's. This plan contains a detailed listing of all oil wells, pipeline locations, and detailed information regarding the proper reporting and cleanup of any spill which might occur in the future.
   
   
7. Floodplain Management
   The floodplain adjacent to the Williston Reach has not experienced significant commercial or residential development and associated impacts. In order to adequately protect the river ecosystem within this reach, no additional development on any of the publicly owned floodplain should occur, and there should be limited development on all privately owned property immediately adjacent to the shoreline. As mentioned earlier clear delineation of sovereign lands will help reduce resource impacts, including all of the shoreline and associated habitats below the ordinary high water mark.
   
   Agricultural activities have cleared most of the floodplain's natural vegetation to allow for the production of high value crops. Existing agricultural practices within the
   floodplain often employ the use of flood irrigation and the application of large quantities
   of fertilizers and pesticides. For example, water depletion (for agricultural uses) of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers continues and has significant impacts on aquatic resources during low flow years. In addition, over time, flood irrigation (compared to sprinkler systems) has been shown to cause higher groundwater and saturated soil problems. As a result, there are greater losses of nutrients and pesticides to groundwater and surface drainages. Since sprinkler irrigation requires the diversion and application of less water, efforts to convert from flood to sprinkler irrigation should be undertaken so that less water would need to be diverted from the rivers.
   
   Noxious species of vegetation are a serious and growing concern within this reach. Canada thistle has been a serious problem for many years, especially within the lower portions of this Reach (e.g. Lewis and Clark WMA). Leafy spurge has not been a serious problem but it has been spreading in recent years. Russian olive has become established and appears to be thriving. In June 2001, a field survey documented the presence of salt cedar along the Yellowstone River in North Dakota just downstream from the Montana border. In 2002, more salt cedar in more locations was documented, making long-term control very challenging. Most of these invasive species are known to be extremely detrimental. With the exception of Russian olive, which has some wildlife benefits, aggressive efforts should be made to control the spread of each of these noxious species.
   
   Adoption of agricultural best management practices on the floodplain within this reach is another highly desirable goal. The Reach's fish and wildlife resources would all benefit from better livestock grazing practices, buffer strip development and management, better timber management practices, and proper fertilizer and pesticide application and management.
   
   
8. Riparian Aesthetics
   Most of the immediate shoreline near the water surface of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers in this Reach has not been heavily impacted by development or agricultural uses. As a result, the viewscape from the river throughout most of the Reach is mostly natural and very appealing. However, as is the case with all river corridors, small portions of the shoreline often become localized dump sites. The NDGF and the USFWS have identified a number of these sites and have prioritized them for cleanup.
   
   The North Dakota Department of Health has become more active on this issue and has proposed a program that will assist in the overall cleanup. The proposed Riverbank Cleanup and Restoration Project would address the removal of abandoned automobile bodies, household white goods, and other miscellaneous waste materials from the banks of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers. These waste materials can pose threats to water quality, aquatic life and human health, in addition to being aesthetically unpleasant. Further justification for cleanup is the fact that these rivers are important sources of drinking water for several communities and rural water systems. To date, one garbage site (spring 2000) has been cleaned up.
   
   The river has numerous recreational uses and sites, including Trenton Lake which is a popular summer recreation spot. In addition, the Williston Reach is an important spawning area for paddlefish and perhaps the endangered pallid sturgeon. The Williston Reach will receive much greater attention in the next several years, as the nation prepares for and celebrates the Lewis and Clark bicentennial. The Confluence area, including Fort Union and Fort Buford, will be a focal point for many visitors interested in historical and cultural aspects of the area. Efforts to make the rivers appear as natural and aesthetically pleasing as possible would greatly help to insure that these visitors have a quality experience.
   
   
9. Habitat - Erickson Island
   The Erickson Island area contains some of the most unique and valuable habitats within this reach. The backwater area consists of about four miles of seasonally connected (previously the main channel of the Missouri before a cutoff was constructed) water to the Missouri River (Figures 2 & 3 - general and detailed photo's). The island itself consists entirely of natural floodplain vegetation, including vast stands of cottonwoods and willows. The stretch of the Missouri River along the south side of the island has been documented to support some of the highest concentrations of adult paddlefish and pallid sturgeon found anywhere within this Reach. The NDGFD has funded an ongoing study to quantify the riverine habitats in this area, in an effort to identify unique habitat requirements. Effort must be made to protect this highly important reach from being degraded; any development or agricultural project proposed within or in proximity to this area should be carefully scrutinized before it is allowed to proceed.
   
   Aerial photo below of the area from the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers' confluence above Williston, North Dakota. Erickson Island, at center, is enlarged in the next photo.

FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 3.

CONCLUSION

The Williston Reach of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers contains some of the best remaining riverine habitats within the entire Missouri River Basin. Although lower Basin efforts (i.e. Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri) have begun to restore and mitigate for some of the habitat lost as a result of the massive channelization and dam construction activities during the 1900s, the upper basin has not. It is in our best interest to adequately protect the limited amount of high quality, fairly natural habitat that remains. Without adequate safeguards, it will not be possible to maintain the reach's existing populations of native, large river fish species, such as pallid sturgeon, paddlefish, blue sucker, sicklefin chub and sturgeon chub.

The rivers in this reach contain numerous sandbars and braided channels; the sandbars are seasonally used by a number of avian species, including the listed least tern and piping plover. Sovereign lands and the publicly owned lands within this Reach support vast stands of native terrestrial habitats, including self-sustaining stands of cottonwoods and willows. These forested areas in turn support large populations of terrestrial wildlife, such as beaver, white-tailed deer, and pheasants. These deer and pheasant populations support a high and increasing amount of hunting activity. Because North Dakota contains a relatively limited acreage of public lands, the public and sovereign lands within this Reach are increasingly valuable in meeting the demand for public use, including fishing and hunting.

The enormous biological, recreational, cultural and historic values of this Reach can only be maintained through a concerted effort between numerous state and local governmental entities, local landowners, hunters, anglers, and the affected local communities. Better land use and consideration of the needs of the rivers would go a long ways to insure that the Reach maintains many of its most desirable attributes. Many of these values can be protected simply by maintaining the status quo and by carefully considering and limiting the impacts of proposed developments.

For more information on this paper contact Greg Power at 701 328-6323 or Steve Dyke at 701 328-6347; or, write them at the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, 100 N. Bismarck Expressway, Bismarck, ND 58501-5095.

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