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Riparian Area Education Campaign
Following the successful 2007 Missoula County Water Quality District public education campaign stressing the importance of maintaining and restoring riparian vegetation to water quality, fish and wildlife habitat as well as control of bank erosion and flooding, the GLWQD has partnered with Missoula and five other water quality and conservation districts in western Montana to expand the scope of the campaign.
The growing population of Western Montana's valleys has resulted in increased development pressure on lands adjacent to streams and rivers. This growth can be detrimental to plants, trees and shrubs along side the stream as well as to aquatic life in the stream.
The GLWQD has partnered with the Flathead Conservation District, Missoula Valley Water Quality District, Lewis and Clark County Water Quality Protection District, Ravalli County Environmental Health, Lake County Environmental Health and the Montana Watercourse to bring this information to their local communities. The campaign will include regional information in a television advertisement, newspaper, billboard and radio public service announcements(PSAs). In each county, (PSAs) will be tailored to the local watershed and its needs.
What can you do for your river's health?
1. Leave native plants along rivers and streams. When you remove native vegetation along waterways you're eliminating plants that filter out pollutants, stabilize banks and support wildlife. You're cutting the heart out of the river. |
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Don't plant lawns down to the riverbank. Lawns don't root deeply, so they don't adequately filter runoff or stabilize banks. Plus, they make for poor wildlife habitat. |
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Avoid using fertilizers and pesticides—especially near water. These pollutants can negatively impact aquatic life, contribute to hideous green algae blooms even kill fish, aquatic insects and wildlife. If you must use them to control heavy infestations of noxious weeds, contact the County Weed District or County Extension Office for information on which options are best and how to apply them. |
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Build smart. When building on a site, preserve as much of the riparian area as possible, site your building and pavement as far from the stream as possible (at least 75 feet and out of floodplain and streamside vegetation) and be sure your septic system is properly installed and maintained. There are regulations requiring specific setbacks for septic tanks and drain fields. Contact the Environmental Health Division of the County Health Department for information and permits. |
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Keep livestock out of the water. Livestock should be fenced away from the river with an alternative source of water made available. And all pet/livestock waste should be picked up and removed from the riparian zone. |
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Act on behalf of water quality. Join a local watershed group, attend public hearings on setbacks and water quality issues, and tell your elected officials that you support protection of rivers and streams. |
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