August 2013 

The Montana Natural Heritage Program and Montana Wetland Council are pleased to offer several 1-day wetland plant identification workshops this August.  The target audience for these workshops include; biologists and managers from federal, tribal, and state agencies, local government planners, Non-Government Organizations, private consultants, and others who work with wetland vegetation and issues of wetland management and identification. The courses will be designed to provide the basic skills required to identify Montana's common wetland plant genera (Carex, Juncus, Salix) and species, including invasive plants, and will be tailored to accommodate the plants common to the specific geographic area of the individual workshop.  Each workshop will be limited to a maximum of 20 participants and will be filled, in part, on a first come, first serve basis with priority given to representatives from federal, tribal, state, and local agencies and NGOs. Workshop dates and locations will include the following: 

August 28: Billings area 

 Additional details including meeting location will be provided to registered participants prior to each workshop.  To register for a workshop, please fill out and submit a Registration Form -OR- send an email with your contact information (including phone and email), date and location of workshop you wish to attend, and extent of wetland plant identification experience to DEQ Administrative Assistant Janelle Egli (JEgli@mt.gov). For questions or additional information concerning these workshops, please contact Lynda Saul at 406-444-6652 or lsaul@mt.gov or for more information click here. 

Members of the Board of Directors enjoyed helping the Madison Conservation District out with work creating Beaver Mimicry Structures on Norwegian Creek.  A beautiful day and a novel idea!

Senator Max Baucus floated down the Madison River to show his support for the Land and Water Conservation funds.

Falling water levels are taking their toll at a popular Bitterroot recreation spot.

As more wells penetrate the formation below the state, estimates of the amount of oil trapped there continue to increase. Missouri River water is a crucial ingredient in this boom that is making North Dakota rich.

Groups firmly opposed to a proposed water compact between the state, federal government and the nearby Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes invited the public to a meeting in Sanders County recently to explain their side.

You know the old saying: if you don’t like the weather in Montana, just wait five minutes. We’re a state that’s known for its wild weather changes.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks is considering buying nearly 190 acres of farmland and wetlands on the north shore of Flathead Lake and adding the land to its wildlife management area program.

Senior Volunteer Funding-Due September 10, 2013

Unspent 319 Funds Proposals

This year, instead of seeking separate comments from different MWCC work groups and committees, DEQ is inviting the committee/work group members to gather for a single meeting in which all of the Project Proposals will be discussed. A toll-free conference call option is available. The meeting and conference call information is printed below. We sincerely hope that you will join us for the meeting/conference call.

MEETING INFORMATION 

Date: Thursday, August 15, 2013 

Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm 

Location: Room 111 of the DEQ Metcalf Building, 1520 E Sixth Avenue, Helena, MT 59620 

Organizer: Robert Ray, Water Committee Chair and Supervisor of the DEQ Watershed Protection Section Conference Call Number: 1-866-906-9888 Conference Call Pass Code: 7508058 Link to 319 Projects Wiki web site

New WPCAC Member Needed The Water Pollution Control Advisory Council (WPCAC) is looking for members of conservation organizations to apply for an open WPCAC position. WPCAC members are appointed by the Governor and advise the Department of Environmental Quality on water quality issues. For more information on WPCAC, please visit http://deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/WPCAC/default.mcpx. For information on how to apply for the position or to recommend someone else for the position, please contact Amy Steinmetz at (406) 444-0371 or asteinmetz@mt.gov.

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The Montana Legislature, in recognition of increasing demands on our state's limited water resources, directed the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to transform the current State Water Plan into a dynamic guide that will be responsive to the varying needs of residents and water managers. Members are being solicited from agricultural producer associations, irrigation districts, water user associations, petroleum organizations, real estate interests, economic development councils, recreational user and sportsmen organizations, watershed groups, conservation districts, counties, cities, tribes, and others. 

The Lower Missouri River BAC will include representatives from as many basin geographical areas and water interests as possible. The Lower Missouri River Basin includes all watersheds that empty into the Missouri River from the confluence of the Marias River downstream to the North Dakota border.The deadline for application is August 21, 2013. More information available here. 

The Upper Missouri Basin Advisory Council is soliciting nominations from organizations and individuals. We have set up an online nomination form for individuals that are willing to participate as a representative on the BAC. Anyone who would just like to be on the mailing list to stay apprised of activities and meetings can contact Ann Schwend aschwend@mt.gov or Kathleen Williams (facilitator) k.williams@bresnan.net for more information. 

For information regarding the Yellowston basin please contact jrobinson@mt.gov and for the Clark Fork basin please contact jaber@mt.gov.

Water Conservation Specialist - FWP

Helena Closes 8/16/13