HISTORY & ACCOMPLISHMENTS
History
The water quality protection measures of the Clark Fork-Pend Oreille Watershed Management Plan can be traced back to the 1980’s. Responding to citizen concerns about increased aquatic weeds and algae in the Clark Fork River and Pend Oreille Lake, the U. S. Congress added language to Section 525 of the 1987 Clean Water Act to direct the EPA to conduct a comprehensive water quality study in the basin and identify sources of pollution. In the late 80’s congressional delegates from Montana, Idaho and Washington respond to citizen concerns and worked to appropriate $1.3 million to EPA for conducting the Section 525 studies. From 1989 through 1992 the EPA and the three state’s water quality agencies conducted studies, analyzed results, developed a watershed management plan and conducted public hearings. By 1993 the plan was finalized and sent to Congress as a report on the Section 525 work. That same year the EPA and the state agencies formed the Tri-State Implementation Council, a 28-member broad-based stakeholder group, and hold the first meeting in October to hand over the plan to the Council for implementation.
As stakeholders in the 26,000 square mile watershed, Council members are actively involved in protecting and improving water quality of the Clark Fork River in Montana, Pend Oreille Lake in Idaho and the Pend Oreille River in Washington. The Council meets its mission by coordinating various implementation activities, building strong support for the watershed management plan, developing timetables and implementation strategies, and providing a forum for public input and support.
The Council’s primary management objectives are to:
(1) control nuisance algae growth in the Clark Fork River by reducing nutrient concentrations from point and nonpoint sources of pollution;
(2) protect Pend Oreille Lake water quality by maintaining or reducing current rates of nutrient loading from the Clark Fork River;
(3) reduce nearshore eutrophication in Pend Oreille Lake by reducing nutrient loading from local sources; and
(4) improve Pend Oreille River water quality through aquatic weed management and tributary nonpoint source controls.
To reach these objectives, the Council is implementing specific action items from the watershed management plan, primarily through the work of ad hoc committees focused on point and nonpoint source controls throughout the watershed, a basinwide water quality monitoring program, and public education programs.
Though much has been accomplished since the plan's inception, rapid population growth and increasing urbanization are leading to more stormwater runoff, increased municipal and industrial discharges, escalating shoreline development, and degradation of riparian areas. Council members agreed that an update of the plan was needed in order to adapt the direction of watershed management and to provide new, specific strategies for addressing these growing challenges.
During 2005, the Council was selected by EPA to facilitate this update and has been working with a steering committee consisting of the Montana, Idaho and Washington water quality agencies, EPA Regions 8 and 10, the Kalispel Tribe, and other Council organizations. A letter and fact sheet were mailed to over 400 key stakeholders and groups informing them of the update process. Through meetings and feedback from stakeholders, the committee is nearing completion of the new plan.
The updated Basin Management Plan (see Report & Documents) includes an overview of the basin and its water quality status; accomplishments of goals and objectives to date; proposed goals and objectives for the future; and recommended priorities for specific actions. On April 26, 2006, Council members and staff met in Paradise, MT to identify major roles to identify the Council's role and major actions for protctign water quality through 2017. While legacy issues remain a water quality threat, all agree that population growht and urban/suburban development posed the greatest threat to water quality in the coming decade. Therefore, the Council agreed to increase its work in the policy arena and focus on impacts to water quality from growth and development in the basin and to continue maintaining and spearheading a comprehensive basin wide water quality program.
The group identified four primary roles for the Council:
(1) form and facilitate partnerships
(2) be a policy initiator
(3) conduct water quality monitoring to provide sound scientific data
(4) implement education programs
A Proven Track Record of Achievements
~ Voluntary Nutrient Reduction Program (VNRP) among the four largest dischargers in 200 miles
of the Clark Fork River
~ Watershed-wide water quality monitoring program
~ Border Agreeement between the states of Montana and Idaho to reduce nutrient loading to
Lake Pend Oreille
~ Initiatives and partnerships in the key Clark Fork River tributaries including the Flathead,
Bitterroot, Blackfoot and Upper Clark Fork Rivers
~ Pollution reduction targets and a Management Plan for Lake Pend Oreille
~ K-12 watershed education programs in Montana, Idaho and Washington
~ Numerous water quality studies and research reports