Conservation Districts have always used local ingenuity to find solutions for land and water use concerns in their districts. The Missouri River Conservation Districts Council (MRCDC) has taken that concept a step farther, using expertise from member districts to grapple with problems that affect all or part of the river basin. We are excited to see the inception of a sister group on the Milk River.

On October 21 and 22, hunters entering the CMR National Wildlife Refuge via the Dry Fork Road were given the opportunity to join hands with local landowners to help stop the spread of noxious weeds. As part of a joint project spear-headed by the South Phillips County Rancher Stewardship Alliance Weed Committee, 36 hunting vehicles took advantage of a free undercarriage wash before entering the CMR Refuge. Many more vehicles were cleaned up in Malta using car wash coupons provided by the RSA Committee.

The Council recently realized one of its long-standing goals in the Middle Reach – an appointment by Department of the Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to the Bureau of Land Management’s Central Resource Advisory Council (RAC).

After a joint meeting of the MRRIC Drafting Team and Review Panel in Denver last month, the process to recommend a charter for the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee in nearly complete. Conservation Districts and local stakeholders remain well-represented in the process. In its current form, the Charter allows up to 2 members specifically from each of the following areas: Irrigation, Recreation, Agriculture, Conservation Districts, and local government. Additional seats remain available for other interests as well.

An expert understanding of geology, an acute awareness of the impacts of development, and a desire to bring everyone to the table to consider the question “What are we doing to the river collectively?” are what keep MRCDC member John Chase actively involved in Council issues. John first joined the Council in January 2006, following in the footsteps of MRCDC founding member Dale Marxer. John immediately took on the important task of tracking the Council’s financial reports, grants, and contract obligations.

In the Council’s response to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ draft Annual Operating Plan (AOP) for the Missouri River, satisfying local needs first was stressed as the most necessary management provision. The Council noted that the Corps has once again failed to recognize the importance of irrigation and the increased costs to Montana’s water users as a result of the Corps’ operation of the Fort Peck Dam.

• At 2,619 miles, the Missouri River is the longest river in the United States—longer even than the Mississippi River.
• The Missouri River drains 1/6 of the entire United States.
• The Missouri River Basin is home to more than 10 million people.
• The source of the Missouri River is Hell Roaring Creek in Montana, elevation 8,840’.
• Over 75% of the Missouri River is impounded behind dams or has been channelized for navigation.