Taking steps to protect Flathead Lake

The Flathead Lakers are encouraged by two ongoing planning efforts that we hope will lead to better protection for clean water in Flathead Lake and its watershed.

The Flathead Regional Wastewater Management Group recently held a public meeting to discuss problems that wastewater disposal and management pose for water quality and the financial burdens related to upgrading municipal wastewater treatment plants. Members of the group include representatives from water and sewer boards, cities, counties and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.  

Excellent presentations from a variety viewpoints sparked a lively discussion about problems and potential solutions. We applaud this group, the Flathead and Lake County health department directors and other presenters, the Flathead Basin Commission, and the citizens who attended the meeting for taking a serious look at problems and initiating a forum to explore solutions for the future that will benefit us all.

Meanwhile, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality has been completing the TMDL (total maximum daily load) report for Ashley Creek, a tributary of the Flathead River upstream from Flathead Lake. The TMDL report details the causes and sources of water quality impairment that provides information to help plan and prioritize restoration and mitigation projects. The report indicates that septic systems contribute a significant amount of the pollution reaching Ashley Creek.

There was agreement at the wastewater meeting that the dialogue on wastewater should continue. You can watch for announcements of future public meetings in your local newspaper. The Flathead Lakers plan to post announcements on our Web site, too.

Flathead Lake and clean water are central to our quality of life and local economy and deserve all of our efforts to protect and improve them.

Greg McCormick, of Polson, is the president of the Flathead Lakers.