Water Policy Interim Committee
The state of Montana has paid out more than $1.8 million to jump start improvements on the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project–work that was long envisioned under the terms of the CSKT water rights settlement.
State, tribal, federal, and irrigation project managers met recently to discuss ongoing and planned operational improvements, such
A state website makes it easy to keep an eye on possible flooding in Montana. A live map from Montana Disaster and Emergency Services uses stream gauges around the state to show flood stages as well as emergency declarations. (Click on
In spite of recent rains, about half of Montana is experiencing severe drought—meagre soil moisture, low water levels in ponds and streams, and wilting fields. Climate experts have said the state has been experiencing long-term drought and temperature conditions perhaps not seen in thousands of years. This includes warmer
Revised federal rules will require more than 1,000 Montana water systems to identify all lead service lines over the next 2 1/2 years.
There are an estimated 6 million to 10 million lead service lines in the United States, according to EPA estimates. Lead enters drinking water mostly due
Fees on bottled water, hunting licenses, and tourists are just a few ideas to raise money for conservation districts, which are local governments across the state charged with protecting soil and water resources.
Members of the Environmental Quality Council will discuss these proposals and others at a meeting March
Sampling at Montana’s schools is identifying lead in water–right down to each faucet, sink, or drinking fountain.
Children absorb lead at higher rates than the average adult and exposure may lead to brain, red blood cell, or kidney damage, and result in reduced IQ, hearing impairment, recued attention span, and poor
There are many actions related to natural resources and the environment regulated by state law. Every two years, the Environmental Quality Council reviews how the department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Conservation, and Environmental Quality are enforcing those laws and encouraging compliance.
The latest reports are available online.
Conservation Districts are local government entities across Montana run by local elected supervisors. Districts perform an array of functions, all geared toward in some way toward conserving soil and water. Over the last decade, almost $10 million in state tax money from the general fund went to the 58 districts
Irrigators, recreationists, public safety officials, and other water users rely on stream gauges to measure a stream’s condition. Gauges provide the basis for many water use decisions across Montana–when to turn water into fields, when to store water, when to fish or float, or when to stop using water.
Montana’s streams
Leaders of the Montana Legislature deemed Jan. 26 as a Training Day for lawmakers. All legislators are invited to the capitol that Wednesday for refresher courses on campaigns and ethics, preparation of legislation, and other topics. Legislators can talk one on one with technical staff as well as researchers and
