Missoula County opposes HB 399: Revise definition in streambed protection laws, up for hearing this afternoon in the House Natural Resources Committee. The bill, if passed, would change the definition of “stream” in the Streambed Preservation Act. This would result in removing state protections for streams that do not flow year around. This would include Grant Creek, Miller Creek, Lolo Creek, and many others in Missoula County. A 2009 study found that in the central and eastern portions of the state, more than 60% of streams are ephemeral, flowing only in response to precipitation, and more than 25% of the streams are intermittent, flowing for only a few months per year. Even in the wetter, mountainous regions of Montana, more than 30% of the stream miles are ephemeral. In addition, with the projected impacts of climate change in Missoula County, we will likely experience prolonged drought periods that may move yet additional streams into the category of intermittent therefore also losing protections under this act.
Sent Feb. 15:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives Marler and Curdy,
Missoula County opposes HB 399: Revise definition in streambed protection laws, up for hearing this afternoon in the House Natural Resources Committee. The bill, if passed, would change the definition of “stream” in the Streambed Preservation Act. This would result in removing state protections for streams that do not flow year around. This would include Grant Creek, Miller Creek, Lolo Creek, and many others in Missoula County. A 2009 study found that in the central and eastern portions of the state, more than 60% of streams are ephemeral, flowing only in response to precipitation, and more than 25% of the streams are intermittent, flowing for only a few months per year. Even in the wetter, mountainous regions of Montana, more than 30% of the stream miles are ephemeral. In addition, with the projected impacts of climate change in Missoula County, we will likely experience prolonged drought periods that may move yet additional streams into the category of intermittent therefore also losing protections under this act.
Please oppose HB 399.