The Missouri River Conservation Districts Council’s 1st annual Missouri River Rendezvous is set for June 19th in Fort Benton. This premier event will kick off the newly-amended Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP—see Page 2) and raise awareness of the federal management programs and partnership opportunities impacting landowners and river users throughout Montana’s Missouri River Corridor.

The day will begin with an “invitation only” boat tour of current and potential CREP sites along the river near Fort Benton. An evening public meeting and buffet dinner, open to all interested parties, will round out the day. Two panel discussions will be facilitated by the Council during the public meeting. The first will focus on the newly-amended CREP and will feature Rob Hazelwood with PPL Montana, Tom Hinz with the Wetlands Legacy, a representative from the Farm Service Agency, and a private landowner currently participating in CREP. A second panel discussion will feature representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will focus on federal management throughout the river corridor, current partnerships with Conservation Districts and future partnership opportunities.

Additionally, an update on Council projects, activities, and future plans will be presented.

The event will start at 5:00 p.m. in Fort Benton with a brief no-host social hour followed by the Council presentation at 5:30. Space is limited, so those interested in attending are encouraged to call 468-0056 to reserve a seat.

For more information, contact Vicki at the Missouri River Council at 468-0056.