GOAL #1: Encourage and promote sound conservation practices, such as "Best Management Practices" (BMPs) for multiple use of the river and adjoining lands.

Project Description

Tasks to Accomplish

Timetable

Short Long

(1-2 yrs) (3-5 yrs)

Leadership

Funding

Measures of Success

Corridor - Provide recommendations concerning conservation and natural resource issues relative to Federal and State Land Management

Coordinator meet with agencies, invite to meetings

Council reviews and comments on management documents including RMPs, AOPs, etc.

Council will host informational public meetings with USFWS regarding management of the CMR National Wildlife Refuge.

Council seeks membership on federal Resource Advisory Councils, as appropriate; continue requesting membership in MRRIC and the Central Montana BLM RAC.

On-going

Coordinator

Council

Coordinator/ Reach members

Coordinator

RD Grant

Offers extended to all, solid relationship with two.

Comments submitted

Meetings attended by public, state, and federal agencies.

Membership on Central BLM RAC and MRRIC.

Corridor - Aid local weed control efforts with educational pursuits.

Work with local weed districts and the Statewide Noxious Wee Awareness and Education Campaign to assemble packets of information for distribution.

Provide existing information packets to floaters, outfitters, guides.

Provide existing information at kiosks, gas stations, convenience stores, other local sites.

Review hunting/fishing regulations and Block Management Access Guides, work with FWP to include noxious weed information as appropriate.

Don, Coordinator, Members

Local CDs, Council Members

Local CDs, Council Members, Coordinator

Council Members

RD Grant

Packets completed.

75% of CDs participate

Brochures added to maps

Corridor - Market the data gap analysis

Identify groups studying and collecting data along the Missouri River.

Work with appropriate agencies and other entities to create a centralized site for data posting.

Council Members, CDs

Coordinator

RD Grant

Contact with at least 1 group in each reach.

Information available on a centralized website.

Lower - Convene Lower Reach Workgroup on USACE Annual Operating Plan

Invite stakeholders, provide draft AOP with explanations and other needed information for review prior to meeting.

Convene meeting to review, discuss, and gather comments.

Forward comments to USACE and other agencies as appropriate.

Coordinator

Lower, Reservoir Members

Coordinator

RD Grant

Stakeholders (Tribal, Federal, State, County, local, private) personally invited.

80% of invited groups participate.

Comment presented at public meeting and in writing.

Upper / Middle - Develop and maintain working partnership with PPL Montana

Participate in the PPL Montana TAC.

Promote CREP by arranging meetings with interested landowners, PPL, FSA, and NRCS.

Advocate changes that make the CREP more effective in Montana by gathering input; hosting tours and meetings; publicizing creative effective uses of CREP.

Coordinator

Coordinator and Council

Council, Coordinator

RD Grant

Gain a seat/voice on the TAC

Increased enrollment in CREP.

Two projects promoted on the Missouri River, four landowner contacts and meetings.

GOAL #2: Facilitate conservation districts' voice in partnerships that affect the river corridor.

Project Description

Tasks to Accomplish

Timetable

Short Long

(1-2 yrs) (3-5 yrs)

Leadership

Funding

Measures of Success

Provide corridor conservation districts with updates on the Monument, related management decisions and activities within the corridor.

Forward public hearing and comment period dates to Conservation Districts as needed.

Forward information on "hot button" items to Conservation Districts.

On-going

Coordinator

Council, Coordinator

RD Grant

Corridor conservation districts are given ample opportunity to participate in State and Federal management decisions within their stretch of the corridor.

Provide corridor conservation districts with appropriate information so they may take informed, proactive positions on issues that impact the resources.

Council will determine which issues to focus on.

Provide information to CDs via electronic means, newsletters, telephone and personal conversations. Focus issues for FY07 are land use planning, riparian area BMPs, and DNRC groundwater / surface water and small well exemption committee.

Each quarterly meeting

On-going

Council

Coordinator

Issues identified in each reach, information researched and forwarded to CDs.

CDs provided information on a regular basis (at least quarterly) regarding issues in their area.

GOAL #3: Enhance community involvement in river stewardship.

Project Description	Tasks to Accomplish		Timetable Short Long (1-2 yrs) (3-5 yrs)	Leadership	Funding	Measures of Success
Identify and address education needs in each river reach area.	Upper: Provide education workshops on Land Use Planning at the county level. Middle: Bring landowners and BLM management together to share information and concerns regarding management of the Monument. Reservoir: Host a weed management event during hunting season. Lower: Bring stakeholders together to review management of Fort Peck Dam.	X X X X		Coordinator, CDs Coordinator, Middle Reach Coordinator, Reservoir Reach Coordinator, Lower/Res Reach	RD Grant RD Grant USFWS Invasive Species Grant RD Grant	Workshops in 3 counties, attended by CDs, Commissioners, and Planners. Two gatherings involving local landowners and BLM Managers. Event attended by out-of-area hunters, publicity at local and regional levels Two meetings held, progress made on AOP comment items.
Promote the Rolling River program using items on the trailer that are specific to each river reach.	Distribute promotional items that can be used on the trailer.	X		Coordinator, CDs	RD Grant, DEQ 319 Grant	Materials distributed to Rolling Rivers stationed throughout the state.
Sponsor a "River Festival" program that can be customized to each district and/or reach.	Investigate existing festivals to determine best way to proceed - determine whether to augment existing programs or begin a new one.	X		Coordinator	RD Grant	Plan drafted for future involvement with or creation of River Festivals.
Sponsor the development of educational materials for schools, etc.	Complete design and set up a static display in each river reach area. Design and create an interactive display focusing on impacts to the Missouri River. Work with DEQ 319 funding to design, produce and distribute Water Quality Improvement brochures. Promote community or school designated riparian areas in each river reach area. Work with MT Watercourse to host an "Educator Workshop" focused on the Missouri River.	X X X X X		Coordinator, Council Coordinator, special committee Coordinator, CDs, Council Coordinator, Council Coordinator, Montana Watercourse	DNRC OTO DNRC OTO DNRC OTO ? 319?	Displays set up in two locations in each reach. Software created, display customized to match. Brochures distributed throughout the corridor.
Use Council newsletter to transmit information widest audience possible.	Continue publication of quarterly newsletter. Expand mailing list to at least 200 recipients. Upgrade website to appeal to attract more interested parties.	X X X		Coordinator, Council Coordinator Coordinator, Contractor	DNRC OTO DNRC OTO DNRC OTO	4 newsletters per year. Mailing list exceeds 200. Hit recorder added, increasing use each quarter.
Identify other outreach/educational opportunities on land use issues.	Host a combined land use planning workshops for Gallatin and Broadwater Counties. Host a land use planning workshop for Lewis & Clark County.	X X		Coordinator, Upper Reach Coordinator, Upper Reach	RD Grant RD Grant	Commissioners, planners, CDs attend meeting. Commissioners, planners, CDs attend meeting.
Develop "floater guides" or "user guides" for the Missouri River.	Work with Trout Unlimited and PPL Montana to draft plans for floater guides.	X		Coordinator	PPL Rec. Grant?	Floater guides published, distributed, mechanism for ordering via internet in place.

GOAL #4: Maintain and improve water quality.

Project Description	Tasks to Accomplish	Timetable Short Long (1-2 yrs) (3-5 yrs)	Leadership	Funding	Measures of Success
Work with DEQ/EPA to provide information to Districts regarding TMDL deadlines.	Meet with DEQ and EPA to draft plans for TMDL Planning and funding along the Missouri River.	X	Coordinator	RD Grant	Meeting occurs and plan drafted, regular communication occurs.
Identify and address water quality needs in each river reach area.	Work with the Cascade county CD to Federal, State, and local resource together to stop sediment loading of the Missouri River from Whitmore Ravine.	X	Coordinator, Cascade Co. CD Member	?	DOD joins Task Force, funding obtained to begin implementation of solution.
Plan and implement a monitoring program.	Work with the Marias River to complete an assessment of the lower Marias River as it enters the Missouri River.	X	Council, Marias River Watershed Group	DNRC OTO	Assessment complete and published.

GOAL #5: Maintain and improve water quantity at critical times.

Project Description

Tasks to Accomplish

Timetable

Short Long

(1-2 yrs) (3-5 yrs)

Leadership

Funding

Measures of Success

Identify and address water quality needs in each river reach area.

Upper: Investigate and support appropriate groundwater surface water interaction and related legislature.

Middle: Investigate off-stream watering projects.

Reservoir: Advocate lower releases from Fort Peck Dam to raise the pool level.

Lowe: Continue supporting projects that allow continued multiple use of the river in spite of fluctuating water levels.

Council

Participate in the NRCS STAC, advocating common sense conservation practices that benefit multiple uses of the river corridor.

Attend NRCS STAC meetings, provide written input

Council, Coordinator

RD Grant

Input provided on a regular basis.

GOAL #6: Support bird, fish, and wildlife habitat and wildlife programs compatible with agriculture and multiple use.

Project Description	Tasks to Accomplish	Timetable Short Long (1-2 yrs) (3-5 yrs)	Leadership	Funding	Measures of Success
Investigate programs such as Future Fisheries and Partners for Wildlife and transmit information to Districts.
Identify ways that Districts can stay abreast of habitat issues as they impact agriculture use.
Identify and design habitat improvement projects in each river reach area.	Upper: Promote expanded use of the CREP to create habitat areas. Middle: Promote expanded use of the CREP to create habitat areas. Reservoir: Investigate projects to create fish habitat in spite of low pool levels. Lower: Investigate the feasibility and use of a CREP to address endangered and threatened species habitat.	X X X X	Council, Coordinator Council, Coordinator Council, Coordinator Council, Coordinator	RD Grant RD Grant RD Grant RD Grant	CREP enrollment increases. CREP enrollment increases. Project identified, plan to implement is drafted. CREP brainstorming session held, next steps drafted.

	Missouri River Conservation Districts Council "Our mission is to represent natural resource and environmental interests on the Missouri River. This Council believes the conservation of the river and its corridor and the sustainability of its various uses can best be accomplished through grassroots collaboration, education, incentives, and voluntary action."
Home \| History \| About Us \| Minutes \| Newsletter \| Corridor Districts \| Resource Database \| Related Links \| Current Projects \| Contact Us