Restoring impaired streams to safeguard uses riparian-wetland ecosystems is exceedingly important, especially in the regions semi-arid landscape, as they occupy only a small portion of the broader…

The National Wildlife Federation received a $206,603.40 Cooperative Agreement from the Bureau of Land Management's Montana-Dakotas Region under the Aquatic Resources Management program (CFDA 15.244), awarded September 25, 2025, with completion targeted for September 24, 2026. The award funds stream and riparian habitat restoration work on BLM-managed lands in Montana, with NWF implementing 8–18 miles of targeted aquatic habitat improvements focused on water retention and availability enhancement. Key deliverables include native vegetation plantings, conifer removal, project protection fencing, structural treatments employing beaver mimicry and wood accumulation techniques, in-stream slash placement to restore floodplain connectivity, and collaborative improvements with BLM staff.

In addition to on-the-ground restoration activities, NWF provides comprehensive technical assistance and capacity-building support to BLM personnel and regional stakeholders. Services include conducting watershed assessments and reach prioritization using spatial analysis tools, delivering training on aquatic resource management, coordinating permitting assistance for water resource projects, establishing monitoring systems to track water availability and habitat functionality, and facilitating partnerships among federal agencies, state and local governments, adjacent landowners, and stakeholder organizations including watershed groups and agricultural operators. This integrated approach aligns with the BLM's multiple-use mission while addressing the ecological importance of riparian and wetland ecosystems in semi-arid landscapes.

Restoring impaired streams to safeguard uses riparian-wetland ecosystems is exceedingly important, especially in the regions semi-arid landscape, as they occupy only a small portion of the broader landscape, yet have a disproportionately important influence on land use, wildlife (sage-grouse), vegetation, and water resources (naiman ET AL. 2010 donnelly ET AL. 2016). The national wildlife federation (NWF) proposes to work closely with the bureau of land management s montana dakotas aquatic resources program to enhance the management of riparian and wetland ecosystems on BLM lands through strategic capacity building and project implementation to support BLM s mission to balance multiple uses including domestic mineral extraction, timber harvesting, livestock grazing, and wildlife habitat conservation while ensuring adequate water resources for current and future beneficial uses. In coordination with BLM field and state office staff, NWF will implement 8-18 miles of targeted aquatic habitat improvements focused on water retention and availability enhancement. Activities include conducting watershed assessments and reach prioritization using spatial analysis tools, providing technical assistance training and capacity for BLM staff on aquatic resource management, coordinating permitting assistance for water resource projects, establishing monitoring systems to track water availability and habitat functionality, and facilitating partnerships between federal agencies, local governments, adjacent land owners, and stakeholder organizations including watershed groups and agricultural operators. This project will fund labor, materials, and technical oversight for NWF to implement stream and riparian treatments. Specifically, key deliverables include native vegetation plantings, conifer removal, project protection fencing, structural treatments (beaver mimicry and wood accumulation), in-stream slash placement to restore floodplain connectivity, and work with BLM staff to improve cost effective aquatic resource management (i.e. beaver mimicry and coexistence). With documented water retention benefits, standardized assessment protocols for efficient permitting processes, trained BLM personnel with increased capacity for independent project management, comprehensive monitoring data demonstrating water resource availability and habitat response, strengthened collaborative frameworks supporting multi-use land management objectives, and enhanced partnerships with stakeholder groups to expand practice application. The targeted stream reaches in this proposal are not currently meeting land health standards (43 CFR part 4180) for riparian function, water quality, or habitat. Treatments are necessary to address these deficiencies and maintain compliance. If left unaddressed, these conditions could force BLM to reduce authorized use levels or impose more restrictive terms and conditions on activities such as grazing, timber harvest, and mineral development. BLM field and state offices will gain enhanced technical capacity and streamlined permitting processes, enabling more efficient management of aquatic resources to reduce regulatory uncertainty and preserve blms flexibility to authorize multiple uses. Local ranchers and grazing permittees will benefit through improved water availability and forage quality, mining and timber operators through increased water availability, enhanced access to fishing and hunting habitat for recreational users, enhanced wildfire resilience both pre and post fire events, and downstream communities receiving improved water quality and flood protection. Regional watershed groups will also benefit from collaborative restoration efforts that address landscape-scale water resource challenges.