Author: Stephanie Murphy

Western Montana Conservation Commission to Hold Meeting in Libby

Posted on by Stephanie Murphy

LIBBY, Mont. – The Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC) will hold its next two-day meeting on Wednesday, May 28 and Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the Libby Dam Visitor Center. 

“Lincoln County is one of the best kept secrets in Montana and it is an honor to share this area by hosting the WMCC meeting,” shared Lincoln County Commissioner Noel Duram. “The quality of the water for our communities is so important and WMCC is a big part of facilitating ways for industry, conservation groups, and users to work together with local, state, tribal and federal governments to ensure a clean future for the waters in western Montana.”

The Commission will provide updates on their aquatic resource protection projects including aquatic invasive species prevention, reducing toxic pollution in the Columbia River Basin through grant funding and ongoing community outreach events. The meeting will also include a behind-the-scenes tour of Libby Dam.

Prior to the tour, Greg Hoffman, fishery biologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Kootenai River at Libby Dam and WMCC Member, will speak about local and regional coordination of dam operations as well as local ecosystem enhancement efforts. “Lake Koocanusa, created by Libby Dam, is a transboundary body of water that provides flood risk reduction and hydropower generation,” emphasized Hoffman. “The reservoir also provides vital water for ecosystem function downstream in the Kootenai River.” 

A photo ID is required to attend the meeting’s tour of Libby Dam. The meeting is open to the public and a public comment period will be held each day.

To view the agenda, visit Meetings & Events – Western Montana Conservation Commission. You will also find links there to register to attend the meeting in person or by Zoom.

About the Western Montana Conservation Commission:

The Western Montana Conservation Commission is administratively attached to the State of Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). WMCC is tasked with holding public hearings and monitoring the condition of aquatic and natural resources in western Montana, supporting the continuation of a comprehensive aquatic invasive species prevention program, enhancing collaboration among natural resource partners and agencies and undertaking investigations related to water quality and natural resource utilization. Learn more at www.westernMTwaters.com

About DNRC:

The DNRC’s mission is to help ensure that Montana’s land and water resources provide benefits for present and future generations. For more information visit dnrc.mt.gov. 

2 new rain gardens built in Kalispell with easy viewing for the community

Posted on by Stephanie Murphy

Kiana Wilson | KPAX

The Flathead Rain Garden Initiative has been helping keep pollutants out of local water bodies and this summer, two new rain gardens have been added to the program. Working with the Flathead Conservation District and Western Montana Conservation Commission, Habitat for Humanity installed the rain garden to help filter the water that comes from their parking lot.

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Giving thanks to Montana’s first line of defense against invasive species

Posted on by Stephanie Murphy

Emily Brown | KPAX

Watershed stewards are working to keep aquatic invasive species from coming into Montana. “Montana’s waterways are absolutely beautiful and so much fun, but they’re also a part of our culture,” said Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC) spokeswoman Stephanie Murphy.

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Fourth Annual Watercraft Inspector Appreciation Week Takes Place Aug. 4-10, 2024

Posted on by Stephanie Murphy

Watercraft inspectors work to protect our waters and aquatic resources by preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) at more than 20 inspection stations across Montana. AIS can cause ecological or economic harm by outcompeting native species, damaging infrastructure and diminishing the quality of recreational experiences. Inspectors are trained to ensure all watercraft—from pontoon boats to inflatable kayaks— are cleaned of any plants, mud, or sediment; drained of any standing water; and dried. 

Inspectors work through summer heat, smoke, storms and holidays at check stations operated by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and partner organizations including conservation districts and tribal programs. Inspectors have checked over 66,000 vessels in the 2024 season so far, preventing 31 mussel-fouled vessels and over 400 with aquatic weeds from entering Montana’s waters.  

“Watercraft inspectors are working long hours to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species in Montana,” says Emilie Henry, Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC)’s Program Coordinator. “They’re our first line of defense. If you see a local watercraft inspector this week, stop and thank them for their service to keep our waters clean.  We appreciate their hard work and dedication.” 

During the fourth annual Watercraft Inspector Appreciation Week, the Western Montana Conservation Commission will be bringing partner-led inspection stations supplies as a thank you and supporting partner-led events. WMCC and the Montana Invasive Species Council (MISC) will also be highlighting the efforts of various stations or inspectors on outreach networks. 

For more information on aquatic invasive species prevention efforts in Montana, visit: fwp.mt.gov/ais. 

Volunteers sought for Flathead Waters Cleanup

Posted on by Stephanie Murphy

Lake County Leader

Those who spend time on local lakes and rivers are encouraged to put some muscle into cleaning them up during the annual Flathead Waters Cleanup Event from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 10.

Will your efforts make a difference? To date the annual cleanup effort has engaged 534 volunteers, removed 9,770 pounds of trash and improved 330 miles of river banks and lakeshore.  

The event is organized by the Flathead Conservation District, Lake County Conservation District, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources Department, Flathead Rivers Alliance, Flathead Lakers and the Western Montana Conservation Commission.

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Western Montana Conservation Commission’s Stormwater and Septic Leachate Toxics Reduction Grant Program Guidelines Public Comment Period ends August 30, 2024

Posted on by Stephanie Murphy

The Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC)’s Stormwater and Septic Leachate Toxics Reduction Grant Program will be seeking applicants in early 2025. Local entities may be granted awards to host water quality education, outreach, cost-share programs, and community projects addressing toxic pollution reduction focused on septic leachate and stormwater concerns in Western Montana.

As part of the grant program process, WMCC is requesting public comment on the Stormwater and Septic Leachate Toxics Reduction Grant Program Guidelines. The Guidelines provide information about the grant program including eligibility, match information, procurement, and other policies. The Guidelines include an overview of the competitive grants tentatively opening in January 2025 from WMCC’s EPA funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This includes: 1) Residential Septic System Education & Maintenance Program, 2) Septic System Replacement & Sewer Connectivity, 3) Showcase Green Stormwater Infrastructure Project, and 4) Residential & Community Green Stormwater Infrastructure Program. Please submit public comments to DNRCARDDWMCC@mt.gov and be sure to include “Grant Program Guidelines” in the subject line of the email.

Comment period ends August 30, 2024 at 11:59PM.
For more information about the grants, visit westernmtwaters.com/our-work-and-projects/grants-resources/

Boating Bonanza: Paddlers at Georgetown Lake Help Prevent Aquatic Invaders!

Posted on by Stephanie Murphy

Moosetrack Megan | Montana Outdoor

What could be better than spending a sunny summer weekend at Georgetown Lake? Why, protecting our favorite paddling waters from aquatic invasive species (AIS), of course! AIS are most often moved between waterbodies unintentionally by hitching a ride on our boats and watersports gear. And by “boat” we mean all kinds of vessels, from motorboats, jet skis, and rafts to stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Invasive species don’t discriminate! Once AIS are introduced, they are extremely hard to remove and can drastically change the waters we love to recreate on. They harm ecosystems, prevent boats from navigating, and invasive mussels leave behind piles of sharp shells that can cut bare feet and even neoprene!

That’s why Invasive Species Action Network (ISAN) and the Western Montana Conservation Commission
(WMCC) are hosting outreach activities for boaters at Georgetown Lake August 3-4, 2024!

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Protecting groundwater in Western Montana

Posted on by Stephanie Murphy

Michael Howell | Bitterroot Star

The Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC) was recently awarded $7 million dollars from the EPA Columbia River Basin Restoration Program to grant to local entities to host water quality education, outreach, cost-share programs, and community projects addressing toxic pollution reduction focused on septic leachate and stormwater concerns in Western Montana. The WMCC serves all communities west of the Continental Divide including the Bitterroot River watershed. 

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Community Leaders Launch ‘Living in Flathead’ Guide to the Valley

Posted on by Stephanie Murphy

Tristan Scott | Flathead Beacon

As the Flathead Valley grapples with challenges associated with the accelerated pace of population growth, and as a groundswell of newcomers adjusts to an evolving western landscape, a consortium of community leaders has joined forces to provide guideposts for newly minted Montanans and promote responsible land ethics in the region.

The guide to being a good neighbor is called “Living in Flathead,” an online resource that its architects describe as “dedicated to promoting responsible living, community connection, and sustainable practices in Flathead County.”

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EPA Awards Western Montana Conservation Commission $7 Million to Safeguard Critical Headwaters

Posted on by Stephanie Murphy

Tristan Scott | Flathead Beacon

Last spring, when the Montana Legislature fused the powers of two existing water-quality watchdog groups, the genesis of the concept was to form a single entity with broader geographic dominion. Although the legislative action was part of Gov. Greg Gianforte’s “red tape reduction” initiative, proponents saw the merger as an opportunity to broaden the regional scale of stewardship to encompass watersheds spanning Montana’s entire west slope.

For years, administrators for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) had been angling to expand and combine the powers of the Flathead Basin Commission (FBC) and the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission (UC3), conjoining the entities’ shared objectives with a single unifying tent-pole.

Under the new Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC), the horizon has expanded to include the Kootenai River, the upper and lower Clark Fork River and the Bitterroot River, as well as a host of other drainages and tributaries.

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