Title
Montana Water Trust Efforts in the Clark Fork Basin
Abstract
The Montana Water Trust, located in Missoula, Montana, is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 2001. Our mission is to work cooperatively with farmers, ranchers, and other landowners to develop voluntary agreements that increase stream flows at critical times. Using a grassroots, collaborative approach to restore and protect native fisheries and benefit local communities, the Montana Water Trust seeks to acquire water rights on dewatered tributaries in western Montana, and eventually throughout the state.
In 1995, the Montana legislature amended the state's water code to allow water right holders to donate or lease some or all of their water rights for transfer to instream use. The Montana Water Trust transfers water rights from interested landowners through a variety of innovative methods, including water right purchases, leases, donations, and water saving projects. We work to maintain mutually beneficial relationships, create healthy streams for the enjoyment of local communities, and maximize the benefits of efficient water management by landowners. The Montana Water Trust uses systematic science-based methodology to ensure protection of our instream water rights and to help demonstrate and monitor the ecological benefits of our acquisitions.
Restoring instreams flows is an essential part of watershed restoration. Using incentive-based conservation, the Montana Water Trust has restored 13 cubic feet/second -- over 8 million gallons per day! -- to tributaries in western Montana during seasons critical for native fish. We have several projects scheduled for 2005 that should provide ecological and economic benefits to streams & communities in western Montana.
Start Date
1-4-2005 1:00 PM
End Date
1-4-2005 3:00 PM
Document Type
Poster
Montana Water Trust Efforts in the Clark Fork Basin
The Montana Water Trust, located in Missoula, Montana, is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization founded in 2001. Our mission is to work cooperatively with farmers, ranchers, and other landowners to develop voluntary agreements that increase stream flows at critical times. Using a grassroots, collaborative approach to restore and protect native fisheries and benefit local communities, the Montana Water Trust seeks to acquire water rights on dewatered tributaries in western Montana, and eventually throughout the state.
In 1995, the Montana legislature amended the state's water code to allow water right holders to donate or lease some or all of their water rights for transfer to instream use. The Montana Water Trust transfers water rights from interested landowners through a variety of innovative methods, including water right purchases, leases, donations, and water saving projects. We work to maintain mutually beneficial relationships, create healthy streams for the enjoyment of local communities, and maximize the benefits of efficient water management by landowners. The Montana Water Trust uses systematic science-based methodology to ensure protection of our instream water rights and to help demonstrate and monitor the ecological benefits of our acquisitions.
Restoring instreams flows is an essential part of watershed restoration. Using incentive-based conservation, the Montana Water Trust has restored 13 cubic feet/second -- over 8 million gallons per day! -- to tributaries in western Montana during seasons critical for native fish. We have several projects scheduled for 2005 that should provide ecological and economic benefits to streams & communities in western Montana.