Protecting the Gallatin
A New Strategy
In January of 2007, American Wildlands implemented a new strategy to protect the water quality of the Gallatin River. This new strategy works to not only maintain the Gallatin River’s water quality, but to improve it, while gaining greater community support for the river’s long term protection. Specifically, we decided to put our pursuit of an “Outstanding Resource Water” designation for the Gallatin River on hold, and instead pursue a more “community-driven” solution. The American Wildlands’ staff and Board believe this change in strategy will actually do more to protect our “backyard” river.
Seven years ago, when we initiated the original petition to have the Gallatin River designated an “Outstanding Resource Water,” American Wildlands’ primary goal was to secure long-term protection of the river’s water quality. That has been our goal throughout this campaign, and remains our goal today. The only thing that has changed is our thinking about how best to realize that ultimate goal. We believe our new strategy will not only allow us to reach our long-standing goal, but could result in an even greater level of protection for the river’s water quality than we first envisioned.
To learn more about the reasons behind this change in strategy click here.
For press coverage of American Wildlands' change in strategy, see below.
January, 24 2007 - Decision to back off ORW could help river protection
There is no doubt that the Gallatin River is a special stretch of water. It is cold, clear, and free flowing. It is home to trout and the bugs that feed them, making it a haven for fly fisherman. And there are not many rivers anywhere as easy on the eyes as the Gallatin.
(Read the full editorial)
January, 24 2007 - Gallatin Groups to Cooperate
BIG SKY - After years of wrangling, environmental groups seeking state protection for the Gallatin River have decided to work with developers to protect the Gallatin River while still preserving property rights.
(Read the full story )
January, 23 2007 - ORW on Hold
BIG SKY - The man group pushing for a special protective status for the Gallatin River has decided to back off and find a better way of doing things.
(Read the full story )
Spring 2007 Update
In the six months since American Wildlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work with Big Sky area landowners, residents, and developers towards ensuring a healthy future for the Gallatin River, we have made great progress. The first signs of progress were a favorable front page article and an editorial in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
Through this MOU process, American Wildlands has joined with a variety of stakeholders in the Big Sky area who have formally committed to working together to reduce the impacts of existing and future growth on the Gallatin River’s water quality, particularly the impact of waste water and septic system pollution. The credibility of the MOU was further bolstered after we secured the signatures of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the Big Sky Water and Sewer District, which regulates and operates the sewer system in Big Sky.
Building on this critical support, American Wildlands and our new partners have worked to recruit as much local community backing as possible. As a result of our efforts, the new Gallatin River working group has expanded from its original seven members to now eighteen groups and individuals. The working group has also hosted a series of public meetings in Big Sky. The purpose of these public meetings has been to explore a number of possible community solutions that would protect water quality along the Gallatin.
While building support and community buy-in is crucial to any potential solution for the Gallatin, ultimately the working group’s effectiveness will be measured through concrete results. Towards this end, the working group, led by the Big Sky Water and Sewer District, has secured a $45,000 grant to hire an engineering firm to prepare a technical report that will study the various approaches for treating wastewater in the upper Gallatin River. The technical report is the next step in this process to adopt a community-driven plan for protecting the Gallatin River’s water quality.
While there is still much work to be done on behalf of the Gallatin, the growth and productivity of the Gallatin River working group during the last six months provides ample evidence that the Big Sky community values the river and is committed to its protection.
