The Bitterroot River - protecting the river, fish habitat and homes - Part Four: what you can do

Discussing a bank stabilization project
Photo by Merle Ann Loman

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Rip-rap series index

• Introduction and index

• Part One: a few rip-rap project descriptions

• Part Two: basic information about permitting

• Part Three: public comment and questions

You are reading Part Four - what you can do

If you are concerned that violations are taking place, there is a mechanism in place. Anyone can lodge a complaint of a perceived violation of the State of Montana Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act. Download an official complaint form, fill it out and submit it to the Bitterroot Conservation District (BCD)

You will need to do some work. The form asks for the name and address of the alleged violator, a clear description and photos of the violation, where the violation is, and a signature, name and address of the complainant. The information may be required by law to open to the public. Once filed, the complaint will trigger an inspection and report of the activity by a conservation district team member.

The BCD and the Montana Association of Conservation Districts recently sponsored a Listening Session at the Corvallis/Woodside Grange on March 16, 2010. It is part of an effort to find out what Best Management Practices (BMP) for riparian protection are working in Montana for all types of streamside users: agriculture, housing, development, transportation, grazing and recreation.

The Listening Sessions, which are being sponsored in cities and towns around the state. The purpose is to identify good candidates for a "What Works" guide to riparian BMPs in Montana. It also recognizes local knowledge as an important source of such information. Contact the BCD to see if you can still contribute your experiences, successes, failures, adaptations and/or innovations and to see if you can view a copy of the finished guide.

Another way to be involved is join and work with local conservation groups. Bitterroot Trout Unlimited has a board member attend Bitterroot Conservation District meetings and they provide input and ask questions about projects that affect the trout habitat in the Bitterroot. Help the BCD know how the public feels by adding your voice could be added to theirs.

If Trout Unlimited isn't your interest, try Ducks Unlimited, local government, or letters to the editor. You can also contact the BCD directly and give them your comments. If your opinion is that this type of issue will continue as long as no regulations exist to prevent it you might consider joining discussions about a policy on growth that would encourage future construction to be set back from the river's edge and tributaries. What ever your message, share it constructively. Working together will make the process better and reflect the needs of all.

See a slideshow of related photos

Merle’s SmugMug photo site – More river and rip-rap in their original format/resolution. Incudes photos of four rip-rap installations and portions of the middle Bitterroot River.

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