Missoula County supports HB 7: Reclamation and Development Grants, up for hearing tomorrow morning, in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Long-Range Planning. Thank you, Representative Hopkins, for sponsoring this bill.
Projects funded by the Reclamation and Development Grants offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
Missoula County has received these funds for phases of the Ninemile Creek restoration project over numerous legislative sessions. This year’s funding will allow Trout Unlimited to restore stream and floodplain functions to 3,7000 feet along Reach 5 of Ninemile Creek.
Good morning Mr. Chair and members of the committee,
My name is Kylie Paul and I am the Natural Resource Specialist for Missoula County’s Community and Planning Services department. I am proud to talk to you today about the Ninemile Creek Mine Reclamation project, a project involving strong partnerships, important watershed restoration, mine reclamation work, and economic benefits to Montanans.
There is a strong partnership between Missoula County, Trout Unlimited, and the Lolo National Forest, working since 2004 to effectively and efficiently clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile watershed northwest of Missoula. The funding we’re requesting here today is critical to completing an important phase of reclamation work on the most impacted reach of the creek.
Starting with an initial gold rush in the late 1800s and lasting until the 1960s, mining activity in the Ninemile Valley has significantly altered the landscape and impacted hundreds of acres. It resulted in tributaries that no longer connect to Ninemile Creek, little to no floodplain, high levels of erosion and reduced water quality.
Over $4 million dollars has been invested through this project, over a third of which has come from DNRC support, and we’ve secured significant funds from DEQ, FEMA, and the US Forest Service. From this effective partnership of Missoula County, Trout Unlimited, and the Lolo National Forest, twelve mine reclamation projects have been completed in the Ninemile Valley. These projects have: o Restored 152 acres of floodplain o Restored 2.8 miles of Ninemile Creek o Reconnected 9 tributaries, and o Moved nearly 320,000 cubic yards of abandoned mine piles
We’re proud that these projects offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most all of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
In addition to having economic benefits, these projects provide numerous environmental benefits and benefits to Montana citizens, with improved water quality, fisheries, and wildlife habitat. It’s also provided recreation, educational and public safety benefits.
Yet, this work is far from complete. The phase of the project we’re discussing today is in the heart of the most impacted reach of Ninemile Creek. It is the sixth phase of a strategic plan to clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile Creek watershed. This project will build on all the previous reclamation work done in the Ninemile Creek watershed by connecting previously restored sections of Ninemile Creek and adjacent tributaries. We will continue this effort with restoration work this summer and continue work in the future with one more phase to complete the plan to restore Ninemile Creek.
The project will restore stream and floodplain functions to 3,700 feet along Reach 5 of Ninemile Creek. The primary goals of the project are to improve water quality and reclaim mining impacts and reconnect a previously damaged tributary. The objectives are to regrade large placer piles to fill settling ponds and create a more uniform floodplain surface. The floodplain will be shaped to incorporate microtopography and woody debris, then revegetated with native plants. The confluence of Ninemile Creek and Soldier Creek will be constructed to provide aquatic connectivity while the Ninemile Creek channel will be reconstructed through the reclaimed floodplain and will include diverse habitat for fish and wildlife.
Cleaning up the Ninemile watershed is important to our community, our landscape, and benefits us all. Thank you for your time and consideration today, and we would ask for support in the continued funding of this project.
Missoula County supports HB 7: Reclamation and Development Grants, up for hearing today, in the House Appropriations Committee. Thank you, Representative Hopkins, for sponsoring this bill.
Projects funded by the Reclamation and Development Grants offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
Missoula County has received these funds for phases of the Ninemile Creek restoration project over numerous legislative sessions. This year’s funding will allow Trout Unlimited to restore stream and floodplain functions to 3,7000 feet along Reach 5 of Ninemile Creek.
Missoula County supports HB 7: Reclamation and Development Grants, up second reading today on the House floor. Thank you, Representative Hopkins, for sponsoring this bill.
Projects funded by the Reclamation and Development Grants offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
Missoula County has received these funds for phases of the Ninemile Creek restoration project over numerous legislative sessions. This year’s funding will allow Trout Unlimited to restore stream and floodplain functions to 3,700 feet along Reach 5 of Ninemile Creek.
Missoula County supports HB 7: Reclamation and Development Grants, scheduled for second reading today on the Senate floor.
Projects funded by the Reclamation and Development Grants offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
Missoula County has received these funds for phases of the Ninemile Creek restoration project over numerous legislative sessions. This year’s funding will allow Trout Unlimited to restore stream and floodplain functions to 3,700 feet along Reach 5 of Ninemile Creek.
Sent Jan. 28:
ReplyDeleteRepresentative Hopkins and Senator Boldman,
Missoula County supports HB 7: Reclamation and Development Grants, up for hearing tomorrow morning, in the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Long-Range Planning. Thank you, Representative Hopkins, for sponsoring this bill.
Projects funded by the Reclamation and Development Grants offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
Missoula County has received these funds for phases of the Ninemile Creek restoration project over numerous legislative sessions. This year’s funding will allow Trout Unlimited to restore stream and floodplain functions to 3,7000 feet along Reach 5 of Ninemile Creek.
Please support HB 7.
Staff testimony, Jan. 28:
ReplyDeleteGood morning Mr. Chair and members of the committee,
My name is Kylie Paul and I am the Natural Resource Specialist for Missoula County’s Community and Planning Services department. I am proud to talk to you today about the Ninemile Creek Mine Reclamation project, a project involving strong partnerships, important watershed restoration, mine reclamation work, and economic benefits to Montanans.
There is a strong partnership between Missoula County, Trout Unlimited, and the Lolo National Forest, working since 2004 to effectively and efficiently clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile watershed northwest of Missoula. The funding we’re requesting here today is critical to completing an important phase of reclamation work on the most impacted reach of the creek.
Starting with an initial gold rush in the late 1800s and lasting until the 1960s, mining activity in the Ninemile Valley has significantly altered the landscape and impacted hundreds of acres. It resulted in tributaries that no longer connect to Ninemile Creek, little to no floodplain, high levels of erosion and reduced water quality.
Over $4 million dollars has been invested through this project, over a third of which has come from DNRC support, and we’ve secured significant funds from DEQ, FEMA, and the US Forest Service. From this effective partnership of Missoula County, Trout Unlimited, and the Lolo National Forest, twelve mine reclamation projects have been completed in the Ninemile Valley. These projects have:
o Restored 152 acres of floodplain
o Restored 2.8 miles of Ninemile Creek
o Reconnected 9 tributaries, and
o Moved nearly 320,000 cubic yards of abandoned mine piles
We’re proud that these projects offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most all of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
In addition to having economic benefits, these projects provide numerous environmental benefits and benefits to Montana citizens, with improved water quality, fisheries, and wildlife habitat. It’s also provided recreation, educational and public safety benefits.
Yet, this work is far from complete. The phase of the project we’re discussing today is in the heart of the most impacted reach of Ninemile Creek. It is the sixth phase of a strategic plan to clean up abandoned mine sites in the Ninemile Creek watershed. This project will build on all the previous reclamation work done in the Ninemile Creek watershed by connecting previously restored sections of Ninemile Creek and adjacent tributaries. We will continue this effort with restoration work this summer and continue work in the future with one more phase to complete the plan to restore Ninemile Creek.
The project will restore stream and floodplain functions to 3,700 feet along Reach 5 of Ninemile Creek. The primary goals of the project are to improve water quality and reclaim mining impacts and reconnect a previously damaged tributary. The objectives are to regrade large placer piles to fill settling ponds and create a more uniform floodplain surface. The floodplain will be shaped to incorporate microtopography and woody debris, then revegetated with native plants. The confluence of Ninemile Creek and Soldier Creek will be constructed to provide aquatic connectivity while the Ninemile Creek channel will be reconstructed through the reclaimed floodplain and will include diverse habitat for fish and wildlife.
Cleaning up the Ninemile watershed is important to our community, our landscape, and benefits us all. Thank you for your time and consideration today, and we would ask for support in the continued funding of this project.
Sent Feb. 26:
ReplyDeleteRepresentative Hopkins and Keogh,
Missoula County supports HB 7: Reclamation and Development Grants, up for hearing today, in the House Appropriations Committee. Thank you, Representative Hopkins, for sponsoring this bill.
Projects funded by the Reclamation and Development Grants offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
Missoula County has received these funds for phases of the Ninemile Creek restoration project over numerous legislative sessions. This year’s funding will allow Trout Unlimited to restore stream and floodplain functions to 3,7000 feet along Reach 5 of Ninemile Creek.
Please support HB 7.
Sent March 26:
ReplyDeleteRepresentatives,
Missoula County supports HB 7: Reclamation and Development Grants, up second reading today on the House floor. Thank you, Representative Hopkins, for sponsoring this bill.
Projects funded by the Reclamation and Development Grants offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
Missoula County has received these funds for phases of the Ninemile Creek restoration project over numerous legislative sessions. This year’s funding will allow Trout Unlimited to restore stream and floodplain functions to 3,700 feet along Reach 5 of Ninemile Creek.
Please support HB 7.
Sent April 20:
ReplyDeleteSenators,
Missoula County supports HB 7: Reclamation and Development Grants, scheduled for second reading today on the Senate floor.
Projects funded by the Reclamation and Development Grants offer local, high-quality jobs. Ninety percent of funds for reclamation projects in the Ninemile Creek watershed have gone to the private sector, and most of that has stayed Montana-based, through the hiring of local and regional contractors and consultants.
Missoula County has received these funds for phases of the Ninemile Creek restoration project over numerous legislative sessions. This year’s funding will allow Trout Unlimited to restore stream and floodplain functions to 3,700 feet along Reach 5 of Ninemile Creek.
Please support HB 7.