This website is the brainchild of a group of organizations who are interested in giving prospective land buyers, and those already living “on the bank”, as much information as possible to protect their property.
As much as possible, our objective is to reduce the amount of damage development activities do to the river corridor through education and any other forms of assistance that we can offer.
The first organization is the Missouri River Conservation Districts Council. From the MRCDC website:
About the MRCDC
The Missouri River Conservation Districts Council is a coalition of the fifteen conservation districts along the Missouri River in Montana that was formed in 2001. It spans 725 miles of river corridor from the headwaters of the Missouri River in Gallatin County to Richland County at the North Dakota border. Montana is the first state in the entire 10-state Missouri River basin to organize and fund a grassroots entity focused solely on the Missouri River basin.
Mission
The mission of the Council is to represent natural resource and environmental interests on the Missouri River, the associated uplands, and tributaries. This Council believes the conservation of the river and the sustainability of its various uses can best be accomplished through grassroots collaboration, education, incentives, and voluntary action.
Purpose
The purpose is to provide leadership, assistance, and guidance to conservation districts along the Missouri River Corridor in order to present a unified front and collective voice when addressing natural resource issues, opportunities, and challenges. “A forum for Missouri River stakeholders to share perspectives, solve problems, and exchange information on Missouri River resource management.”
Founding Precepts
1. The need for scientific information on which to base management decisions.
2. The need to present a unified voice to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in sharing information and to improve communications between districts, outside entities, and local stakeholders.
3. The need for technical and financial assistance to address multiple use issues on the Missouri River.
4. Support local conservation district efforts to provide local leadership, assistance, and guidance for the wise use and conservation of the Missouri River’s natural resources.
Goals
#1: Encourage and promote sound conservation practices, such as “Best Management Practices” (BMPs) for multiple use of the river and adjoining lands.
#2: Facilitate conservation districts’ voice in partnerships that affect the river corridor.
#3: Enhance community involvement in river stewardship.
#4: Maintain and improve water quality.
#5: Maintain and improve water quantity at critical times.
#6: Support bird, fish, and wildlife habitat and wildlife programs compatible with agriculture and multiple use.
Conservation Districts on Missouri River
Multiple Conservation Districts have been involved in the collation of the information presented here, and the creation of this resource.
- Lewis & Clark Conservation District
- Fergus Conservation Districts
- Cascade Conservation District
- Broadwater Conservation District
If you are a prospective buyer of property along a stream or river in the State of Montana, or already own land and have questions about keeping it ship-shape, contact your local conservation district.
Others
Department of Environmental Quality
- Eric Trum
- Robert Ray (retired)