Missoula County opposes HB 625, Eliminate numeric nutrient standards for water quality laws, up for hearing this afternoon in the Natural Resources Committee. These standards are in place because science shows that when surface waters, such as the Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers, harbor a certain concentration of nutrients, it leads to nuisance algae growth. The presence of algae is not just a nuisance to anglers and other recreationalist; it depletes surface waters of essential oxygen, putting our fisheries at risk. Our county and state depend on a recreational economy, and removal of nutrient standards will impact that economy, as well as harm fisheries, public health and the broader ecological system. The science has proven the detriment of excess nutrients; we’ve seen its negative effects with the presence of harmful algae blooms in Salmon Lake, which prompted warnings to residents who use the lake as a source of drinking water. Not only is removal of standards bad science, it is bad policy that is not in the best interest of our state.
Missoula County opposes HB 625, Eliminate numeric nutrient standards for water quality laws, up for hearing this afternoon in the Natural Resources Committee. These standards are in place because science shows that when surface waters, such as the Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers, harbor a certain concentration of nutrients, it leads to nuisance algae growth. The presence of algae is not just a nuisance to anglers and other recreationalist; it depletes surface waters of essential oxygen, putting our fisheries at risk. Our county and state depend on a recreational economy, and removal of nutrient standards will impact that economy, as well as harm fisheries, public health and the broader ecological system. The science has proven the detriment of excess nutrients; we’ve seen its negative effects with the recurring presence of harmful algae blooms in Salmon Lake, which in 2017 prompted warnings to residents who use the lake as a source of drinking water. Not only is removal of standards bad science, it is bad policy that is not in the best interest of our state.
Sent Feb. 27:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives Curdy and Marler,
Missoula County opposes HB 625, Eliminate numeric nutrient standards for water quality laws, up for hearing this afternoon in the Natural Resources Committee. These standards are in place because science shows that when surface waters, such as the Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers, harbor a certain concentration of nutrients, it leads to nuisance algae growth. The presence of algae is not just a nuisance to anglers and other recreationalist; it depletes surface waters of essential oxygen, putting our fisheries at risk. Our county and state depend on a recreational economy, and removal of nutrient standards will impact that economy, as well as harm fisheries, public health and the broader ecological system. The science has proven the detriment of excess nutrients; we’ve seen its negative effects with the presence of harmful algae blooms in Salmon Lake, which prompted warnings to residents who use the lake as a source of drinking water. Not only is removal of standards bad science, it is bad policy that is not in the best interest of our state.
Please oppose HB 625.
Senator Barrett,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes HB 625, Eliminate numeric nutrient standards for water quality laws, up for hearing this afternoon in the Natural Resources Committee. These standards are in place because science shows that when surface waters, such as the Clark Fork and Bitterroot rivers, harbor a certain concentration of nutrients, it leads to nuisance algae growth. The presence of algae is not just a nuisance to anglers and other recreationalist; it depletes surface waters of essential oxygen, putting our fisheries at risk. Our county and state depend on a recreational economy, and removal of nutrient standards will impact that economy, as well as harm fisheries, public health and the broader ecological system. The science has proven the detriment of excess nutrients; we’ve seen its negative effects with the recurring presence of harmful algae blooms in Salmon Lake, which in 2017 prompted warnings to residents who use the lake as a source of drinking water. Not only is removal of standards bad science, it is bad policy that is not in the best interest of our state.
Please oppose HB 625.