Category: Meeting Notice

BUTTE, Mont. – The Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC) will hold its next two-day meeting on Tuesday, January 20 and Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

In 2025, the WMCC awarded over $2.8 million for projects across Western Montana that enhance water quality by mitigating effects from stormwater and septic leachate. With many of these projects launching in 2026, WMCC’s January meeting will dig into what’s next for the Commission and how to best support these efforts in Western Montana communities.

For their first meeting of 2026, the Commission will dive into annual reviews for each committee, reflect on WMCC’s accomplishments so far, and plan for future next steps. The Commission will also provide updates on their aquatic resource protection projects including aquatic invasive species prevention and ongoing water quality outreach events.

Guest speakers, including the Clark Fork Coalition, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and Montana Department of Environmental Quality, will provide information about water quality and resource protection in Western Montana.

“WMCC meetings bring together partners, friends and allies to build and strengthen relationships in service of aquatic preservation across western Montana. WMCC provides a space to share ideas, learn from one another, and spark new partnerships that turn those shared ideas into action,” explained WMCC’s Grant Administrative Specialist, Krista Lammers.

The meeting is open to the public, and a public comment period will be held each day. To view the agenda, visit the WMCC meeting and events webpage. You will also find links there to register to attend the meeting by Zoom. You will also find links there to register to attend the meeting by Zoom.

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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

MISSOULA, Mont – The Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC) announces its next two-day meeting on September 9 -10, 2025 in Pablo at the Salish Kootenai College.

“As the Western Montana Conservation Commission hosts their September meeting in the heart of the Flathead Indian Reservation, we invite all our friends and neighbors to attend,” encouraged Rich Janssen Jr., the natural resources department head for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), and WMCC Member. “This is a great opportunity for the local community interested in our waters to learn about WMCC’s and CSKT’s important work.”

The meeting includes a presentation from the CSKT-Montana Compact Implementation Technical Team, and an interactive panel about CSKT’s Aquatic Invasive Species prevention and mitigation efforts. The Commission will provide updates on their aquatic resource protection projects and their Stormwater and Septic Leachate Toxics Reduction Grant Program.

“We’re thrilled to bring forward to the Commission two innovative grant applicants for our Showcase Green Stormwater Infrastructure Projects” shared WMCC Executive Director Casey Lewis. “With funding capped at $1.1 million each, these projects will serve as community hubs for stormwater education while simultaneously playing a critical role in keeping toxic stormwater runoff from reaching our rivers, lakes and streams.”

The meeting is open to the public and a public comment period will be held each day. To view the agenda, see here. To attend the meeting virtually, please register here.

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About the Western Montana Conservation Commission:

The Western Montana Conservation Commission is administratively attached to the 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 westernmtwaters.com.

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.

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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. 

HELENA, Mont. – Last month, Governor Greg Gianforte announced eight appointments to the Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC). Their work began during the inaugural meeting of the WMCC on November 2 and 3.

“Each of you brings your own background expertise, and together you’re better because of that combined knowledge and experience,” said Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras “Thank you for taking this commitment on and for working to preserve our Montana waters.”

The following individuals were appointed to serve on the commission:

• Private Industry Representative: Sandy Beder-Miller – retired Pulp and Paper Process Engineer
• Electric Cooperative Representative: Duane Braaten – Flathead Electric Co-op Trustee
• Flathead River Basin Representative: Mike Koopal – Executive Director, Whitefish Lake Institute
• Private Citizen At Large: Phil Matson – Research Coordinator, Flathead Lake Biological Station
• Kootenai River Basin Representative: Lech Naumovich – Director and Ecologist, Greater Than Image, LLC
• Private Landowner: Matt Peterson – Civil Engineer, NewFields
• Hydropower Utility Industry Representative: Arthur Potts – Terrestrial Program Manager, Avista
• Upper Clark Fork River Basin & Blackfoot River Basin: Onno Wieringa – Recreation Business Owner and Manager
• Lower Clark Fork River Basin & Bitterroot River Basin: not filled

Mike Koopal, Executive Director of the Whitefish Lake Institute, was appointed to chair the commission with Onno Wieringa as vice chair. Koopal previously served on the Flathead Basin Commission (FBC) Executive Committee and on the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission (UC3) Early Detection and Monitoring Committee.

“We have an opportunity and responsibility to expand the successes of Flathead Basin Commission’s long 40-year history across western Montana. Coupled with the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission’s five-year history of successes in AIS monitoring and outreach efforts across the region, WMCC can engage with more groups and communities to address important water quality and natural resource issues,” said Koopal. “The Governor’s Office has assembled a group of talented individuals to serve as commissioners and I look forward to working with them to protect our connected waters and our connected economy.”

Together with the governor-appointed voting members, WMCC’s membership consists of seven additional voting members representing county commissions, conservation districts, wastewater or stormwater utilities, and the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) natural resource department. The remaining eighteen members of the commission are nonvoting and advisory, along with representatives from state and federal agencies.

Senate Bill 83 combined the roles and jurisdiction of the FBC and the UC3 effectively creating WMCC on July 1, 2023.

The November 2 and 3 meeting focused on commission foundations including: introductions, an overview of the history of FBC and UC3, duties and responsibilities, financials, by-laws, committees, and future work directions. In adherence to the statutory duties of the commission, potential and past projects include community education and outreach, supporting a comprehensive aquatic invasive species prevention program, and monitoring and preventing point and nonpoint source pollution.

“Since WMCC was established in July, we have been busy building upon the incredible foundations of FBC and UC3 to create a new organization. We’ve been meeting with new partners, continuing the work in our communities, sharing success at conferences across the US, and working with the Governor’s office to establish a diverse commission,” said WMCC Executive Director Casey Lewis. “I am impressed by the engaging energy of our new commission members as we begin this next chapter together to protect Montana waters.”

The next WMCC meeting will be held in early 2024. For more information and to sign up for the WMCC newsletter, visit WesternMTWaters.com or contact Executive Director Casey Lewis at casey.lewis@mt.gov.