Accomplishments & Trends

The FBC’s strategy to accomplish nutrient pollution reduction to Flathead Lake, approved by both the U.S. EPA and MDEQ, is fully underway. The FBC’s Voluntary Nutrient Reduction Strategy (VNRS), increased citizen awareness and involvement, the formation of new partnerships with agencies and non-government organizations, and receipt of additional funding are all keys to the long-term success of the VNRS. In the past two years, the FBC has obtained close to $1.2 million in grant funds for VNRS, watershed and monitoring projects. The receipt of an equivalent amount is anticipated in the coming biennium for additional VNRS work.

Local Citizen Watershed Groups

The growth of local citizen-based watershed groups, such as the FBC-sponsored organizations in Ashley and Stoner creeks and others coordinated by partner agencies, reflects heightened awareness on the part of area citizens and their resolve to be influential participants in basin-wide efforts to protect and improve water quality.

Citizen Volunteer Monitor Programs

The growth of the FBC’s volunteer monitor program, both in number of participants and development of new programs, reflects a growing interest among basin residents to become directly involved in efforts to monitor and protect water quality. While not a substitute for fully funded agency level monitoring, these programs provide a certain amount of dependable water quality monitoring information and serve to increase the public’s knowledge of important water quality related issues.

Citizen, NGO and Agency Initiatives and Partnerships

The individual actions of basin residents in addressing water quality problems on their own land and in their communities provide examples of effective citizen participation. Increased involvement in water quality issues of local non-government organizations, such as the Flathead Lakers, strengthens the overall effort to protect and improve the basin’s water quality. New initiatives by such governmental organizations as the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes bring more resources to the overall basin-wide effort.

Legislative Funding of Flathead Lake Monitoring

The full funding of water quality monitoring of Flathead Lake, made possible through an appropriation of the Montana Legislature, provides researchers an opportunity to collect and analyze a full range of data over a long period. Continued support of this program is essential to gauge the effectiveness of the FBC’s effort to meet interim water quality standards for the Flathead Lake TMDL.