This project provides funding to montana trout unlimited to implement its project, which will expand the geographic extent of previous identification of toxins in columbia river basin water and fish

Expanded fish sampling and analysis, alongside water sampling will lead to updated fish consumption advisories for the entire upper columbia river system in montana, which will better protect public health, better inform the public about columbia basin toxicity concerns, and identify opportunities for future toxin reduction efforts throughout the project's geographic scope.activities:this project will provide a much-needed analysis of the geographic expanse, severity and likely sources of toxins posing risk to human health and the aquatic resources of the upper columbia river basin in montana. IT will do so by greatly expanding initial research and engaging in broad, planned public education and outreach. The project activities include: development of a quality assurance project plan; fish sample collection and tissue analysis for toxic pollutants from 17 sites on the clark fork river; deployment of passive water quality samplers and sampling at 19 sites on the clark fork river; outreach and education to the public in western montana on project goals and benefits, as well as toxicity issues in the upper columbia basin; receive, analyze and summarize lab analysis of fish samples and passive water samples; create and distribute clear, consistent information/messaging on study results of toxins in the clark fork; and produce a new fish consumption advisory. The project timeline will run from october 2022, first with project planning and reconnaissance, initial public outreach, fish and water quality sampling, and extensive outreach based on project results culminating the end of 2024. Fish sampling and passive water sampler deployment and retrieval will extend from spring-fall 2023 during which time public outreach on project goals and benefits will also commence. Data analysis and summary will take place fall 2023-winter 2024. Also, during that timeframe, final project report writing, establishment of new fish consumption advisories (FCA), and production of FCA outreach material will happen. Public education and outreach on project results, revised fish consumption advisories, and identification of future contaminant cleanup actions will continue through spring-fall 2024, along with at least two community events in this time window.subrecipient:subawards are part the cost-share for this project and includes $42,636 of in-kind contribution from project partners covering personnel for project planning, fish sampling, travel, data analysis and interpretation, supplies, outreach/education, and grant reporting. Outcomes:IT is anticipated that this project will result in the following deliverables: a quality assurance project plan, data from fish sampling at 17 sampling sites, data from passive water quality monitoring at 19 sites, summary of data from both fish sampling and water quality sampling, new data from project incorporated into 14 existing fish consumption advisories, direct s to members; social media posts; newsletter stories; traditional media stores (print, radio, TV). Outcomes will be a better understanding of target toxin levels (pcbs, furans, and dioxins) in both fish tissue and whole body fish and in the water column available for uptake by aquatic organisms. Outreach activities will lead to a better understanding by the public of pcbs, furans and dioxins in commonly angled game fish throughout the clark fork basin and, hence, an improved awareness by the public of associated river, aquatic life and human health concerns. The primary beneficiaries will be the citizens within montana and in particular to people who live near and recreate on the clark fork river.