Bitterroot Water Partnership

THE BITTERROOT WATER PARTNERSHIP, WORKING IN BITTERROOT SUBBASIN IN WESTERN MONTANA, WILL COMPLETE PROJECT PLANNING AND PRIORITIZATION EFFORTS TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE PRIORITIZED RESTORATION ACTION PLAN EMPHASIZING FOUR DISTINCT GEOGRAPHIES WITHIN THE WATERSHED. THE BITTERROOT SUBBASIN RELIES HEAVILY ON SNOWMELT RUN-OFF FOR IRRIGATION, AQUIFER RECHARGE, AND STREAMFLOW, MAKING IT EXTREMELY VULNERABLE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEASONAL WATER RESOURCE CHALLENGES. BY WORKING WITH PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE, WATER RESOURCE MANAGERS, WATER QUALITY SPECIALISTS, AND TROUT UNLIMITED, THE PARTNERSHIP WILL EXPAND THEIR DATA COLLECTION, DEVELOP PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS CRITICAL WATERSHED NEEDS IN COORDINATION WITH LOCAL PARTNERS, AND FINALIZE ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES FOR FUTURE RESTORATION EFFORTS, PRIORITIZING AREAS OF STAKEHOLDER INTEREST.

THE WATERSHED GROUP WILL WORK TOGETHER TO ADD TECHNICAL CAPACITY IN IRRIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE AND WATER RIGHTS, AND WILL FORM A WORKING GROUP OF IRRIGATORS AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE WATER MANAGEMENT. THE GROUP WILL BUILD ON THIS OUTREACH TO DEVELOP 'SHOVEL-READY' PROJECTS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY, QUANTITY AND FISH PASSAGE IN PRIORITY STREAMS

RAC THREEMILE ROAD SEDIMENT REDUCTION