Two days of inter-active panels, issue-specific break-out
sessions and presentations explored some of the most important issues of the
day facing large lakes experiencing rapid growth and development. The conference showcased examples of those working on lake issues in other regions of the western U.S. and Canada. The program includes lake experts from Lake Tahoe (California and Nevada), Coeur d’Alene and Pend ‘Oreille (Idaho), plus other presenters from Oregon, Alberta and Montana.
Conference attendees included, but were not limited to those on the front lines of environmental regulations, enforcement and lake advocacy, including state legislators, county commissioners, county, neighborhood and city
planning board members, mayors and city council representatives, land
planning and public health agencies, representatives of lake
organizations and other public policy non-profit groups -- in essence all parties interested in the future of lakes and how to protect them.
Conference attendees gained ideas for new voluntary, incentive-based and
regulatory techniques, how to improve multi-jurisdictional planning efforts, and better ways to engage the public in lake management, as well as tools for dealing with such critical issues as invasive species, gravel mining in shallow aquifers, and surface and groundwater impacts from recreational watercrafts and the disposal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products.
It is hoped that post-conference follow up with local governments and communities to implement selected tools highlighted at the conference will assist in protecting and preserving the water quality of Flathead, Whitefish, Swan, Ashley, Little Bitterroot and other large lakes in the Flathead Basin.
