Good morning Mr. Chair and members of the committee,
My name is Kylie Paul and I am the Natural Resource Specialist for Missoula County’s Community and Planning Services department. I am proud to talk to you about the Ninemile Creek Mine Reclamation project, a project involving strong partnerships, important watershed restoration, mine reclamation work, and economic benefits to Montanans.
There is a strong partnership between Missoula County, Trout Unlimited, and the Lolo National Forest, working since 2004 to effectively and efficiently clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile watershed northwest of Missoula. The funding we’re requesting here today is critical to completing an important phase of reclamation work on the most impacted reach of the creek. Starting with an initial gold rush in the late 1800s and lasting until the 1960s, mining activity in the Ninemile Valley has significantly altered the landscape and impacted hundreds of acres. It resulted in tributaries that no longer connect to Ninemile Creek, little to no floodplain, high levels of erosion and reduced water quality.
Over $3 million dollars has been invested through this project, over half of which has come from DNRC support, and we’ve secured significant funds from DEQ and USFS. From this effective partnership of Missoula County, Trout Unlimited, and the Lolo National Forest, twelve mine reclamation projects have been completed in the Ninemile Valley. These projects have:
o Restored 121 acres of floodplain o Restored 2.3 miles of Ninemile Creek o Reconnected 8 tributaries, and o Moved nearly 250,000 cubic yards of abandoned mine piles
We’re really proud that these projects offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most all of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
In addition to having economic benefits, these projects provide numerous environmental benefits and benefits to Montana citizens, with improved water quality, fisheries, and wildlife habitat. It’s also provided recreation and public safety benefits.
Yet, this work is far from complete. The phase of the project we’re discussing today is in the heart of the most impacted reach of Ninemile Creek. We will continue this effort with restoration work this summer, and continued work in the future with 2 more phases to complete the plan to restore Ninemile Creek.
Cleaning up the Ninemile watershed is important to our community, our landscape, and benefits us all.
Thank you for your time and consideration today, and we would ask for support in the continued funding of this project.
Missoula County supports HB 7, Reclamation and Development Grants, on the House floor this afternoon. Missoula County has worked with Trout Unlimited and Lolo National Forest over the last several years to effectively and efficiently clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile watershed northwest of Missoula, and this bill would provide $437,000 to complete an important phase of reclamation work on the most impacted stretch of Ninemile Creek. In addition to the numerous environmental, recreational and public safety benefits, these projects also benefit the local economy, as 90 percent of reclamation funds have been awarded to Montana-based contractors and consultants.
Missoula County supports HB 7, Reclamation and Development Grants, up for hearing in Finance and Claims Monday morning. Missoula County has worked with Trout Unlimited and Lolo National Forest over the last several years to effectively and efficiently clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile watershed northwest of Missoula, and this bill would provide $437,000 to complete an important phase of reclamation work on the most impacted stretch of Ninemile Creek. In addition to the numerous environmental, recreational and public safety benefits, these projects also benefit the local economy, as 90 percent of reclamation funds have been awarded to Montana-based contractors and consultants.
Missoula County supports HB 7: Reclamation and Development Grants, on the Senate floor this afternoon. Missoula County has worked with Trout Unlimited and Lolo National Forest over the last several years to effectively and efficiently clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile watershed northwest of Missoula, and this bill would provide $437,000 to complete an important phase of reclamation work on the most impacted stretch of Ninemile Creek. In addition to the numerous environmental, recreational and public safety benefits, these projects also benefit the local economy, as 90 percent of reclamation funds have been awarded to Montana-based contractors and consultants.
Kylie Paul's testimony (Feb. 4):
ReplyDeleteGood morning Mr. Chair and members of the committee,
My name is Kylie Paul and I am the Natural Resource Specialist for Missoula County’s Community and Planning Services department. I am proud to talk to you about the Ninemile Creek Mine Reclamation project, a project involving strong partnerships, important watershed restoration, mine reclamation work, and economic benefits to Montanans.
There is a strong partnership between Missoula County, Trout Unlimited, and the Lolo National Forest, working since 2004 to effectively and efficiently clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile watershed northwest of Missoula. The funding we’re requesting here today is critical to completing an important phase of reclamation work on the most impacted reach of the creek.
Starting with an initial gold rush in the late 1800s and lasting until the 1960s, mining activity in the Ninemile Valley has significantly altered the landscape and impacted hundreds of acres. It resulted in tributaries that no longer connect to Ninemile Creek, little to no floodplain, high levels of erosion and reduced water quality.
Over $3 million dollars has been invested through this project, over half of which has come from DNRC support, and we’ve secured significant funds from DEQ and USFS. From this effective partnership of Missoula County, Trout Unlimited, and the Lolo National Forest, twelve mine reclamation projects have been completed in the Ninemile Valley. These projects have:
o Restored 121 acres of floodplain
o Restored 2.3 miles of Ninemile Creek
o Reconnected 8 tributaries, and
o Moved nearly 250,000 cubic yards of abandoned mine piles
We’re really proud that these projects offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most all of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
In addition to having economic benefits, these projects provide numerous environmental benefits and benefits to Montana citizens, with improved water quality, fisheries, and wildlife habitat. It’s also provided recreation and public safety benefits.
Yet, this work is far from complete. The phase of the project we’re discussing today is in the heart of the most impacted reach of Ninemile Creek. We will continue this effort with restoration work this summer, and continued work in the future with 2 more phases to complete the plan to restore Ninemile Creek.
Cleaning up the Ninemile watershed is important to our community, our landscape, and benefits us all.
Thank you for your time and consideration today, and we would ask for support in the continued funding of this project.
Sent March 22:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives,
Missoula County supports HB 7, Reclamation and Development Grants, on the House floor this afternoon. Missoula County has worked with Trout Unlimited and Lolo National Forest over the last several years to effectively and efficiently clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile watershed northwest of Missoula, and this bill would provide $437,000 to complete an important phase of reclamation work on the most impacted stretch of Ninemile Creek. In addition to the numerous environmental, recreational and public safety benefits, these projects also benefit the local economy, as 90 percent of reclamation funds have been awarded to Montana-based contractors and consultants.
Please support HB 7.
Sent March 29:
ReplyDeleteSenators McConnell and Salomon,
Missoula County supports HB 7, Reclamation and Development Grants, up for hearing in Finance and Claims Monday morning. Missoula County has worked with Trout Unlimited and Lolo National Forest over the last several years to effectively and efficiently clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile watershed northwest of Missoula, and this bill would provide $437,000 to complete an important phase of reclamation work on the most impacted stretch of Ninemile Creek. In addition to the numerous environmental, recreational and public safety benefits, these projects also benefit the local economy, as 90 percent of reclamation funds have been awarded to Montana-based contractors and consultants.
Please support HB 7.
Sent morning of April 8:
ReplyDeleteSenators,
Missoula County supports HB 7: Reclamation and Development Grants, on the Senate floor this afternoon. Missoula County has worked with Trout Unlimited and Lolo National Forest over the last several years to effectively and efficiently clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile watershed northwest of Missoula, and this bill would provide $437,000 to complete an important phase of reclamation work on the most impacted stretch of Ninemile Creek. In addition to the numerous environmental, recreational and public safety benefits, these projects also benefit the local economy, as 90 percent of reclamation funds have been awarded to Montana-based contractors and consultants.
Please support HB 7.