Montana Geographic Names Advisor
Geographic Name Change Request
Wally McClure Creek
Gallatin County, Montana
Status =
Approved
| Description |
stream,
4.8 km (3 mi) long,
located in Gallatin National Forest; heads at 44°46’32”N, 111°19’51”W, 22 km (14 mi) NW of West Yellowstone, flows NE to join Ruof Ditch, 1.3 km (0.8 mi) SW of Hebgen Lake; named in honor of Walter “Wally” V. McClure (1961–2003), Gallatin National Forest fishery biologist |
| Location |
44°48’15”N, 111°17’39”W |
| PLSS Location |
Secs 12-14&23, T12S, R3E and Sec 7, T12S, R4E |
| Proposal |
new commemorative name for an unnamed stream |
| Proponent |
Mary Erickson, Bozeman, MT |
| Administrative area |
Gallatin National Forest |
| Previous BGN Action |
None |
| See also |
|
| GNIS ID |
2612064
|
| Local Usage |
None found
|
| Published |
None found
|
This 4.8 km (3 mi) long stream, proposed to be named Wally McClure Creek, is located in Gallatin National Forest, on the west side of Hebgen Lake in Gallatin County. The proposal, which was submitted by the Supervisor of the Gallatin National Forest, is intended to honor Forest Service fishery biologist Walter “Wally” V. McClure (1961-2003), who according to the proponent made substantial professional contributions to both the U.S. Forest Service and to aquatic education and conservation. Mr. McClure was “committed to the education of people on many diverse aquatic topics and taught educational programs each year. He was a leader in native species conservation, particularly cutthroat trout conservation.” He was also an active member of the American Fisheries Society (AFS), and received posthumously a Lifetime Achievement Award from the organization’s Montana Chapter, which is in support of this proposal. The AFS has also established the Wally McClure scholarship. The stream chosen to bear the name Wally McClure Creek was the last place Mr. McClure conducted fieldwork before he passed away from cancer; during that work he discovered a population of rare, genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout. This discovery has subsequently become important in conserving the species in the Madison River Basin.
The proposal for Wally McClure Creek has the support of the Gallatin County Commissioners, the Montana State Names Authority, and the U.S. Forest Service. There are no Federally-recognized Tribes with an interest in Gallatin County
|
| Montana Geographic Names Advisor Recommendation -
Support
(Friday, January 15, 2010)
|
| Domestic Names Committee Decision Date -
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 |
Domestic Names Committee Discussion -
A motion was made and seconded to approve this new name.
Vote: 14 in favor
0 against
0 abstentions
|
