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Bozeman Watershed Council
County: Gallatin
Sub-Major Basin: Unknown
Affected Watershed: # Unknown
Watershed Description: We have expanded our area of interest from that of Sourdough / Bozeman Ck south of Bozeman, MT to all the tributaries that form the East Gallatin River. The Gallatin River is one of the three forks of the Missouri Headwaters. The land ownership in the East Gallatin drainage is divided between private lands, the City of Bozeman, US Forest Service and the State of Montana. Sourdough/Bozeman Ck, which has so far been the focus of our efforts, is a pristine, healthy alpine watershed that is a source of water for the City of Bozeman.
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Why was a watershed effort begun? In 1991, concern about the aesthetic view resulting from a series of US Forest Service logging clearcuts brought a diverse group of citizens together to problem solve a solution. This was the first time a group of citizens in our area had tried to work together with public land managers in a non confrontational manner.
· What has been accomplished so far?
· The resulting mitigation logging of the square clearcuts and existing heavy recreational use led to a series of public meetings that informed City of Bozeman officials as well as citizens about our watershed. Because of public interest, the Bozeman Watershed Council published a high quality educational map of the watershed mainly for area schools. We also brought the different public land managers together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) in regards to communication about the activities proposed on their lands. We were part of the City of Bozeman Broad Spectrum Task Force that studied proposals for a dam on Sourdough/Bozeman Ck. Presentations were made to the Bozeman City Commission that showed the value of the watershed to wildlife ( we have grizzly bears) , fisheries ( we have cutthroat trout) and non motorized recreation (over 200 people a day). The current multi-year project has been the completion of a Resource Assessment of the drainage by private contractors and volunteers from the Bozeman Watershed Council. This detailed document is due to be published in Nov. 2003
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Group Accomplishments: The resulting mitigation logging of the square clearcuts and existing heavy recreational use led to a series of public meetings that informed City of Bozeman officials as well as citizens about our watershed. Because of public interest, the Bozeman Watershed Council published a high quality educational map of the watershed mainly for area schools. We also brought the different public land managers together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) in regards to communication about the activities proposed on their lands. We were part of the City of Bozeman Broad Spectrum Task Force that studied proposals for a dam on Sourdough/Bozeman Ck. Presentations were made to the Bozeman City Commission that showed the value of the watershed to wildlife ( we have grizzly bears) , fisheries ( we have cutthroat trout) and non motorized recreation (over 200 people a day). The current multi-year project has been the completion of a Resource Assessment of the drainage by private contractors and volunteers from the Bozeman Watershed Council. This detailed document is due to be published in Nov. 2003
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Group Plans: We have expanded our area of interest and mission in 2003 to that of all of the tributaries of the East Gallatin River. There are deadlines in 2007 for TMDL studies and storm water drain mitigation for the City of Bozeman. We intend to become involved with the private landowners who own land adjacent to the urban interface of Bozeman Creek as well as that part of the drainage that passes through and under the City. We are currently without a BWC Coordinator and intend to have public meetings in Fall/Winter 2003-04 to figure out where we are headed.
Biggest Challenge: From 1991 - 2000, we had been a 13 member volunteer concensus council that rotated leadership and had an unpaid facilator, meeting once a month. We advertised for a 1/3 time coordinator to be paid with a grant from MT DNRC. Immediately, BWC Council members sat back and the coordinator went after money to fund his position that were not necessarily part of our goals and objectives.We are down to a core group of 4 or 5 people and the Conservation dist and DNRC will not award any grants until we get our act together ( hopefully Jan 2004)
Additional Comments:
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Contact Information:
John Montagne, Co-Chair
Bozeman Watershed Council
17 Hodgeman Canyon Dr. Bozeman, MT 59718
Phone: 406-587-2406
Email: montagne@mcn.net
Cindi Crayton, Co-Chair
4027 Bridger Canyon Dr. Bozeman, MT 59715
Phone: 406-585-2789
Email: iwc@integratedweedcontrol.com
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| This information was last updated on: 11/19/2003 |
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Montana is one of four headwater states in the Rocky Mountain region that provides drinking water for over 60 million US Citizens in 11 states.
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