streams & wetlands
- Overview
- About Wetlands
- Land Use Planning & Wildlife Habitat
- 404 Wetlands Law
- Bank Stabilization
- Land Protection
- Oversight
Wetlands and riparian areas make up less than 4 percent of Montana’s land base, yet remain the most important wildlife habitat in our state (About Wetlands). Unfortunately, the same places that attract wildlife are also attractive to people. The protection and enhancement of Montana's remaining wetlands is a priority issue for Montana Audubon. Because of this, we have initiated a series of projects aimed at providing citizens with the information they need to protect these important areas:
Land Use Planning & Wildlife Habitat
Wetlands and riparian habitat are critical to the health and survival of Montana’s wildlife. Yet these same areas are often the sites for new homes and development pressure. Many conflicts with—and adverse impacts to—wildlife could be avoided by land use planning decisions made at the local level. More >>
bank stabilization
Because of the volume and scale of river projects being constructed many of our states streams and rivers, Montana Audubon completed a fact sheet that describes all of the common bank stabilization structures being used (for example: riprap, bendway weirs, jetties, barbs, etc.).
More >>
404 Wetlands Law
Montana Audubon recently completed a layman’s guide to how wetlands are protected under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and why wetlands are important. The information collected will help everyone to better understand federal wetland protection laws—and how those laws are carried out on the ground in our state. The publication was completed in August 2005. More >>
Land protection
Owen Sowerwine Natural Area
Montana Audubon has a license on a 442-acre parcel of school trust land located at the confluence of the Flathead and Stillwater Rivers. It is the first—and only—state natural area designated on school trust land. More >>
Picotte Property Wetland
Montana Audubon facilitated the purchase of a 2.5-acre wetland in the Helena Valley near the County Fairgrounds. This was a cooperative project with Last Chance Audubon, Mikal Kellner Foundation, Prickly Pear Land Trust and the City of Helena. The City of Helena now owns the parcel, and Montana Audubon holds a permanent conservation easement on the property. Montana Audubon continues to work with cooperators on a conservation plan for the area.
Oversight
Yellowstone River
Much attention has been drawn to the Yellowstone River in recent years, and the number and scale of permits being issued that restrict the rivers use of its floodplain. Although citizens and government entities are concerned about the effects of the individual permits being issued, no one has begun to examine the cumulative impact of these permits. Montana Audubon is working on a project to examine all stream permits issued by all government agencies (for example: 404, 310, 3A, floodplain permits, 124...and on and on...) in a portion of the Yellowstone River Basin. The demonstration project will begin in Yellowstone County and proceed up river. We will catalog: what permits are being issued, the geographic location of projects, the purpose and type of activities permitted, and the acreage of projects. The final report will include a laypersons guide to our findings.
The Army Corps of Engineers
The Army Corps of Engineers
regulates all activities that fill wetlands under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The 404 program also regulates the placement of bank stabilization structures along our rivers and streams. Montana Audubon is the leading conservation organization in the state commenting on 404 permits, including keeping other conservation organizations involved and informed about individual projects. This is an acre-by-acre approach to protecting these resources.