The Department of Natural Resources and Conservation today announced the Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC) will be officially stood up on July 1.
The Commission will serve as the convening body to facilitate coordination between natural resource managers and is tasked with protecting the existing high quality of Montana’s western aquatic and natural resources west of the Continental Divide.
“Working with the Lieutenant Governor this session, we cut red tape and removed unnecessary, burdensome, and outdated regulations to create greater opportunity for Montanans,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This commission is a perfect example of making government more efficient and responsive to better manage our prized natural resources.”
As recommended by Governor Greg Gianforte’s Red Tape Relief Task Force to reform inefficient state regulations, the passage of Senate Bill 83 in the 2023 Legislative Session establishes the Western Montana Conservation Commission. The newly formed commission combines and replaces the roles and jurisdiction of the Flathead Basin Commission and the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission to increase management efficiency and broaden the scope of work.
“Combining the duties of natural resource protection with an emphasis on water quality and the aquatic invasive species prevention under a single commission with a wide geographic scope will provide many benefits and efficiencies,” said Department Director Amanda Kaster.
WMCC is tasked with 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, undertaking investigations related to water quality and natural resource utilization, and holding public hearings concerning the condition of the aquatic resources and other natural resources in western Montana.
“Under the continuity of our leadership, the Western Montana Conservation Commission will support many of the programs created by the Flathead Basin and Upper Columbia Conservation Commissions and will rely on active participation by its members to develop new, innovative projects to fulfill its statutory duty,” said Kaster.
Learn more about WMCC by visiting WesternMTWaters.com or contacting Executive Director, Casey Lewis at casey.lewis@mt.gov.
About the Western Montana Conservation Commission: Established by House Bill 83 in the 2023 legislative session, the Western Montana Conservation Commission effectively combines the Flathead Basin Commission and the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission into a single entity. WMCC consists of 16 voting members and is administratively attached to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The WMCC is tasked with 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, undertaking investigations related to water quality and natural resource utilization, and holding public hearings concerning the condition of the aquatic resources and other natural resources in western Montana.
History of Flathead Basin Commission: The Flathead Basin Commission was created in 1983 to protect the natural resources of the Flathead Basin and has focused on water quality protection through nonpoint source pollution mitigation efforts, emphasizing resident education, outreach, and engagement. Notable work of FBC to date includes: a moratorium on coal mining in the transboundary Flathead, an inventory, mapping, and comprehensive assessment of stormwater infrastructure in Flathead County, and an innovative, publicly available GIS Septic Risk Mapping tool, which aims to demonstrate the future and existing risk of septic leachate in the Flathead watershed. Under the new WMCC, this water quality protection work will expand to include the Kootenai River Basin, the upper and lower Clark Fork River Basins, the Bitterroot River Basin, and the Blackfoot River Basin. More information about each commission’s work can be found in the FBC biennial report.
History of the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission: The Upper Columbia Conservation Commission was created in 2017 to bolster the state’s aquatic invasive species program and to encourage comprehensive prevention and management efforts within western Montana. Notable work of UC3 to date includes: an industry outreach education program that now serves as a model for programs across the state, assistance in the creation of the Upper Columbia Lakes Network, a citizen science monitoring program, and years of successful legislative education and engagement. More information about each commission’s work can be found in the UC3 annual report.
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