HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-11-26 Public Comment - M. Kaveney - Sustainability Advisory Board members for 3_11_26From:Marcia Kaveney
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Sustainability Advisory Board members for 3/11/26
Date:Wednesday, March 11, 2026 11:57:41 AM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Sustainability Advisory Board Members-
As an avid supporter of the goals of environmental sustainability in Bozeman, I appreciate
your volunteer time and efforts. I am writing today to comment on tonight's agenda items. Iam a co-founder of the Bozeman Tree Coalition, but these comments are my own. I have both
concerns and suggestions that I share below.
IWRP:1. I think survey's can be useful but I found the initial survey includes leading questions with
biased/directed answer options. I also found that some terms in the survey and intonight's IWRP report need better definitions such as Beneficial Uses- please give examples.
Also, while completing the survey, I could not return to the first page to review or check theterms which detracted from my ability to give my best answers.
2. I think the Urban Parks and Forestry Board should be included as an Advisory Board
Partner- they are involved in a lot of water use and water conservation projects across town.
3. Even though it is housed under the Parks Dept., I think the City's Forestry Division shouldbe specifically listed as an Internal Partner list due to the water use by newly planted trees and
the benefits the urban forest brings to overall groundwater retention and water capture.
4. Why are Development/Design Professionals, Chamber of Commerce, SWBA, and GallatinAssoc. of Realtors included as separate partners instead of falling under the "Local
Businesses" grouping? In my opinion, these groups should not be raised to a greater level thanother local business. It seemingly gives preference to those who cater to non-residents such as
tourists and possible future residents rather than current residents and businesses. I think thisis especially important in light of how promoting growth and increased tourism also
compounds problems with extraction of our natural resources such as water.
Sustainability Work Plan; Please consider adding the following to work plan:
Under Planning Efforts
1. Please add Tree Retention to the Board Focus Area with the NCOD update. Mature treesover 6 inches in diameter are to be given "special consideration" under the current NCOD
guidelines but these guidelines need to be made "required" under the NCOD update to befollowed. We lose dozens or more trees every year to this loophole. Consider the 23 mature
trees lost at 7th and Aspen, the 4 at 5th and Main/Mendenhall, numerous trees during thecurrent Mid-town Holloran complex, and 4 during the hotel expansion on Lamme, and soon-
the large spruce at 321 N. 5th Ave.
2. Please add Heritage Tree Program and Tree Retention to the Urban Forest Management
Plan update line item. These would be two ways to retain the sustainability benefits of largetrees, especially as Bozeman becomes more hard-scraped.
3. Under Bozeman Creek Vision Plan- Please specify overall ecosystem health as a priority
to amenities. This would mean attention to riparian vegetation densification- can increaseground water levels, native plantings- to build biodiversity, and water quality.
4. Under Sustainable Development Awards- Please specifically include Retention of MatureTrees on Private Property. Emphasize retention of native trees because they provide thegreatest amount of biodiversity.
Finally, for future meetings please consider adding a public comment portion to your work
sessions. It is difficult to engage meaningfully with this advisory board when public commentin real time is not utilized during work sessions.
Thank you for considering my concerns and suggestions. And again, I appreciate your time
and efforts.
Sincerely,
Marcia KaveneyBozeman Resident