HomeMy WebLinkAboutStory Mill Community Park Public Comment from Gallatin Local Water Quality District 3-6-14
Gallatin Local Water Quality District
215 West Mendenhall Street, Suite 300 - Bozeman, MT 59715
406-582-3168 www.gallatin.mt.gov/GLWQD
Our mission is to protect, preserve and improve the quality of surface water and ground water.
March 6, 2014
Bozeman City Commission
Bozeman City Hall
121 North Rouse
Bozeman, MT 59715
Dear City Commission:
I am writing in support of the Trust for Public Land (TPL) application to implement stream and
wetland restoration activities on the Story Mill site as part of a community park proposal.
Portions of the East Gallatin River and Bozeman Creek meander through or are adjacent to the
Story Mill site. In addition, the site also contains historical wetlands. Wetlands are an essential
habitat feature and are critical in protecting groundwater quality and surface water quality. The
Story Mill site is a nexus for all of these critical water resource components and can have a
positive impact toward restoring, conserving and protecting our precious water resources within
the Bozeman community.
The East Gallatin River and Bozeman Creek are currently impacted by excess nutrient inputs and
excess siltation/sedimentation. These impairments to water quality not only affect the aesthetic
appeal of these streams but degrade the aquatic habitat which affects the fishery. As such, the
Montana Department of Environmental Quality has placed both of these waterbodies on the
State’s list of impaired waters (the Montana 303(d) List).
Recently, the Gallatin Local Water Quality District, in partnership with the Greater Gallatin
Watershed Council, completed a planning project on integrating wetland considerations into
watershed restoration planning. This process brings wetlands to the forefront of water quality
restoration and protection by utilizing the natural filtering ability and flood attenuation attributes
to assist in improving water quality on our local streams and rivers. During this planning project,
the Story Mill site was identified as a high priority site for implementing wetland restoration
activities to improve water quality in the East Gallatin River and Bozeman Creek as well as
enhance wetland function. Needless to say, we were pleased to learn about TPL’s Story Mill
Restoration Project.
The Gallatin Local Water Quality District is excited to assist TPL in their efforts to implement
stream and wetland restoration activities on the Story Mill site which will improve and enhance
water quality. I encourage you to support and fund their application.
Sincerely,
Tammera Crone
Manager