Member News
Foundation is Major Sponsor of International Wild Trout Symposium
The Madison River Foundation has become a major sponsor of the Tenth Wild Trout Symposium to be held September 27-30 in West Yellowstone, Montana.
"This international event brings together biologists, fisheries managers, scholars and researchers from all over the world," said Foundation executive director Richard Lessner. "In December the Foundation's Board of Directors voted to award a $3,000 grant to the symposium to support scientific research into the global effort to protect, preserve and enhance the world's wild tout populations."
"The symposium offers scientists working in the field trout conservation the opportunity to share their research with their peers from all over the world. Whether it's combating invasive species such as whirling disease that threatens trout populations or genetic studies to preserve native species, the symposium represents the basic scientific research required for such endeavors. The Foundation is proud to be associated with this prestigious gathering as a major sponsor," Lessner said.
Foundation Supports Work of Madison Co. Streamside Protection Steering Committee
The Madison River Foundation has extended its support to the work of the Streamside Protection Steering Committee. The nine-member citizens' advisory committee worked for almost two years and held 21 public meetings to draft an ordinance to protect the riparian corridors along the Madison River and it tributaries. The Foundation's Board of Directors voted unanimously to endorse the work of the committee and in a letter to the Madison County Planning Director, Charity Fechter urged the Planning Board to move forward with public hearings on the draft ordinance. Here is the text of the letter:
Dear Charity,
The Board of Directors of the Madison River Foundation supports the work of the Streamside Protection Steering Committee, urges the Planning Board to move forward with public hearings on the proposed measure, and to move forward in the next steps in the ordinance process.
The mission of the Foundation is "to preserve, protect and enhance the Madison River ecosystem for the mutual benefit of wildlife and all people who use it . . . advocating worthy public policy to ensure the future well-being of this valuable resource." We believe the draft ordinance represents sound public policy and reflects the Steering Committee's consensus that it would extend and strengthen the county's existing streamside protections for the Madison River and its tributaries.
The Steering Committee appointed by the County Commissioners conducted 21 public meetings over a period of almost two years in drafting the proposed ordinance. The public was involved at every step of the process and interested parties were able to offer substantial input into the drafting of the proposed ordinance. The final product of this public process, the draft ordinance, reflects the consensus of all nine citizens who served on the committee and who represented a wide range of viewpoints on the issue of streamside protection. All nine citizen members of the Committee signed the letter of transmittal to the Planning Board endorsing and recommending the draft ordinance.
The science published in peer-reviewed journals overwhelmingly demonstrates the importance of preserving and protecting riparian resources for both ensuring water quality and providing critical habitat for wildlife. The draft ordinance fairly balances private property rights with the public's interest in protecting our natural resources. The draft ordinance is a reasonable compromise that preserves both the rights of the property owner to develop his property and the public's interest in protecting the natural resources of the Madison watershed. Moreover, the draft focuses on protecting riparian resources rather than seeking to impose a rigid, one-size-fits-all setback based on an arbitrarily chosen number.
The Foundation Directors commend the Madison County Commissioners for taking the initiative in 2007 on this important issue, as well as and the citizens' Committee that devoted significant time and effort in developing the draft ordinance. We urge the Planning Board to schedule public hearings on the draft ordinance in a timely and appropriate manner, per the normal and usual ordinance review process, and at the conclusion of the public hearing process to act on the measure.
Sincerely,
Storrs Bishop
President
Bozeman Attorney Jim Goetz Joins Foundation Board of Directors
Noted Bozeman conservation attorney James H. Goetz has been appointed to the Madison River Foundation's Board of Directors.
"Jim Goetz is one of the leading conservation and water-law attorneys in Montana and the U.S.,' said Foundation Executive Director Richard Lessner. 'He has pled major conservation cases before the Montana and U.S. Supreme Courts and the Foundation directors are delighted that he has joined the Board."
Goetz's appointment fills a vacancy on the nine-member Board created when Sunni Heikes-Knapton resigned last year to become the Madison Watershed Coordinator, a new position formed by the Madison Watershed Partnership, a coalition comprised of the Madison Water Conservation District, the Madison River Foundation and the Madison Valley Ranchlands Group.
Jim Goetz was born in Miles City, MT. He grew up Ennis and was graduated from Ennis High School. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Montana State University and his LL.B from the Yale Law School. He is the senior partner in the Bozeman law firm Goetz, Gallik & Baldwin, P.C.
"Having someone of Jim Goetz's knowledge, experience and reputation on the Foundation Board of Directors will be a major asset to the organization," Lessner said. "It is great testimony to the growth and credibility of the Foundation as an organization that an individual of Jim Goetz's standing is willing to devote his time and talents to serve on the board."
Foundation Weighs in on Highway 287 Truck Issue, Cites Threat Posed to the Madison River
Heavy long-haul trucks carrying hazardous materials should be prohibited from using U.S. Highway 287 through the Madison Valley and all trucks should be banned from using Highway 84 from Norris along the Madison River to Four Corners near Bozeman.
The Madison River Foundation's Board of Directors indicated its support for these policy initiatives in a letter sent to Gov. Brian Schweitzer. The letter emphasized the threat to the Madison River posed by the heavy volume of interstate, long haul trucks on these two highways. Traffic volumes on these roadways have increased dramatically in recent years due to the closure of Highway 191 to trucks from West Yellowstone to Bozeman. That highway should re-open to truck traffic this summer, but the potential hazard to the Madison remains.
"Heavy long-haul trucks, many towing two trailers, pose an unacceptable threat to the region's top economic asset - the Madison River," said Foundation executive director Richard Lessner. "The Foundation's Board of Directors is not advocating putting more such trucks on Highway 191 through the Gallatin Canyon as an alternative to Highway 287. Both routes along these two rivers are unacceptable for long-haul trucks, especially those carrying toxic materials. An accident spilling toxic materials into the Madison would be an economic and ecological disaster. These trucks should use the interstate highways, not two-lane rural highways."
The Foundation's letter to the governor also cited the high potential for accidents and conflicts between very large, heavy trucks and recreational users of the Madison along Highway 84, an area that sees hundreds of recreational river floaters in the summer.
Dear Gov. Schweitzer,
The Board of Directors of the Madison River Foundation wishes to express its support for efforts to reduce the impact of the heavy volume long-haul trucks through the Madison Valley and along the Madison River.
The Foundation supports the following policy initiatives:
- Prohibit interstate trucks from using Highway 84 from Norris Junction to Bozeman. Much of this highway parallels the Madison River. The roadway is narrow, with several sharp turns in close proximity to the river. In addition to the public safety hazard posed by large, heavy trucks on this section of highway - many towing double trailers - the threat of a toxic material spill into the river is unacceptable. There already have been several accidents in this section involving overturned semis. Additionally, in the summer months hundreds of recreational floaters use this section of the Madison River with heavy traffic along the shoulders and at access points. Heavy trucks should be required to use suitable alternative routes.
- Restrict the hauling of hazardous materials to Interstate Highways 15 and 90, and prohibit such materials on Montana Highway 87 and US Highway 287. These routes cross the Madison River at several points and sections of these highways parallel the river, posing a threat of potentially catastrophic dimensions. These highways are unsuitable for the interstate movement of hazardous materials.
The legendary Madison is the most heavily fished river in Montana. It attracts anglers from across the US and around the world. These anglers come to Montana to fish for the river's famous wild trout in a setting of spectacular natural beauty. The Madison fishery is a primary economic asset to Southwest Montana. An accident involving toxic materials that might damage the river and the fishery would have an enormously adverse impact not only on the natural resource but on the economy of the region - fly shops, lodges and resorts, motels and hotels, restaurants, etc.
The Madison River Foundation is a non-profit conservation organization based in Ennis, Montana with members in 33 states. The Foundation's mission is "to preserve, protect and enhance the Madison River ecosystem." More information about the Foundation can be found at www.madisonriverfoundation.org.
We encourage you to work with Montana's congressional delegation, the state Department of Transportation, and other agencies to develop a plan to mitigate the impact of heavy truck traffic in the Madison Valley and along the Madison River.
Sincerely,
Storrs Bishop
President
