Flathead CD Hosts Legislators in the Valley

The Flathead County Conservation District hosted its Legislative Breakfast Thursday, December 1, 2016 at Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell. This biennial event is a valuable opportunity for the Conservation District to inform legislators about the District’s expertise, activities, and legal responsibilities and to update them about the natural resource issues impacting their constituents in the Flathead Valley.

Nine recently elected or reelected Montana state senators and representatives attended the event this year. Also in attendance were representatives from our partners at the Montana Association of Conservation Districts, Natural Resource Conservation Service and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, as well as two interested landowners

This year’s discussion focused on some of the exciting projects we are currently working on to restore and conserve the Valley’s natural resources. We shared information about two FCD-sponsored applications to DNRC’s Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program – project funding will be determined in the 2017 legislative session. One project is a restoration project on Krause Creek that will mitigate erosion and flooding.  The second project is a collaboration with the Whitefish Lake Institute to investigate and water consumption efficiencies at the Whitefish Water Treatment Plant. We also told the legislators about our recent development work on the Flathead Watershed Educators’ Guide, which is an interdisciplinary curriculum resource for local educators.

Some of the six supervisors in attendance also shared information about a range of their local activities, including work with the Haskill Basin Watershed Council, Whitefish City Planning Board, Flathead River Commission, Flathead Basin Commission, Flathead County Planning Board.

It was a great kickoff event for the legislative session, and we are excited to partner in serving the constituents of the Flathead Valley.

Below: Legislators and Conservation District board and staff gather at Hilton Garden Inn on December 1, 2016 to discuss natural resource issues in impacting constituents in the Flathead Valley.