HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-09-25 Public Comment - C. Parrish - Wetland and Watercourse Code CommentFrom:Connor Parrish
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Wetland and Watercourse Code Comment
Date:Tuesday, September 9, 2025 9:47:43 AM
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Hello,
My name is Connor Parrish, and I am project manager for Trout Unlimited in Bozeman. I
am reaching out to you to provide public comment on the updates to the Wetland and
Watercourse code.
I urge you to use the best available science to protect Bozeman’s water quality and open
spaces for the health and enjoyment of the city’s residents.
As someone who’s profession is centered around addressing water quality issues, I can
attest firsthand that protecting our wetlands and water courses through informed
regulation is the most cost-effective way to prevent future water quality problems. For
this reason, I am asking you to adopt the following measures:
Establish vegetated setbacks around ALL wetlands in the City of Bozeman, where
best available science recommends 100 ft. According to Montana DEQ, these
setbacks help filter out pollutants and improve water quality.
Expand vegetated setbacks along streams, where the best available science
recommends 300 ft on both sides of the East Gallatin River; 150 ft on both sides of
Bridger and Bozeman Creek; and 100 ft on both sides of all other creeks. According
to Montana DEQ, the larger the stream, the larger vegetated setback is needed to
protect water quality and prevent pollutants from entering our waterways.
Do an “aquatic resource delineation” as the first step in the development review
process so everyone has an accurate map of streams, wetlands, and irrigation
ditches BEFORE lot lines, buildings, roads, and parks are overlaid on the site plan.
The presence of wetlands should inform development, not the other way around.
Standardize an “aquatic resource risk assessment” to determine if, when, and
where impacts within wetland and watercourse setbacks are OK, and to calculate
mitigation credits.
Take advantage of the similarities between streams and wetlands and make their
regulation as consistent as possible, instead of having two very different sets of
rules and processes.
Again, as someone who fundraisers to restores streams/wetlands to address water
quality issues in Bozeman, the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure” applies to water quality. I encourage the city to use the best available science to
develop smart regulations. If the city adopts the above the measures, we can protect
Bozeman’s water quality and open spaces for the health and enjoyment of the city’s
residents all while saving money.
Thank you for your time.