DEQ Releases Draft Bitterroot River Nutrient Protection Plan
HELENA—Today, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released a draft Bitterroot River Nutrient Protection Plan. The Nutrient Protection Plan is a nonregulatory document that demonstrates the high-quality nutrient condition of the Bitterroot River, describes sources of nutrients, presents population growth scenarios and provides recommendations for preventing nutrient impairment. The Bitterroot watershed encompasses Ravalli County and the southern portion of Missoula County.
The Bitterroot has been the DEQ ‘Focus Watershed’ since 2019. Through the ‘Focus Watershed’ approach, DEQ concentrates nonpoint source funding and technical in a specific watershed for up to three years. This targeted approach maximizes the cumulative impact of water quality restoration projects within a watershed. The Nutrient Protection Plan lays the groundwork to help stakeholders and residents maintain the momentum built as part of the focus watershed work.
The Bitterroot River is not currently impaired by nutrients, making it unique in Montana for a river of its size in a rapidly developing watershed. Human activities can result in excess nutrients that pose a threat to human health and the environment, including through proliferation of nuisance or toxic algal growth. Nonpoint sources of nitrogen pollution are the primary threat to maintaining the Bitterroot River's high-quality nutrient condition. Nonpoint sources of pollution include, but are not limited to, road and streambank erosion, fertilizers from croplands and lawns, and human and animal waste.
"The growing population of the Bitterroot Valley poses challenges for maintaining water quality,” said Hannah Riedl, a water quality specialist in DEQ’s Nonpoint Source Program. “This document can be used as a roadmap for individuals and communities looking to manage development pressures while protecting this valuable resource. Keeping the Bitterroot River unimpaired may help prevent loss of revenue for the recreation industry, maintain property values, and avoid extra expenses for agricultural operations, water treatment and restoration efforts.”
The Nutrient Protection Plan recommends voluntary best management practices for reducing nutrient pollution. Restoring and protecting native streamside vegetation is an example of a best practice that protects the Bitterroot from pollution. Another important example is managing existing and new septic systems. The Plan recommends that existing homes and new construction hook into municipal systems where possible. Alternatively, new subdivisions can incorporate a centralized treatment facility, or individual homes can install Level II or higher treatment systems.
The draft Bitterroot River Nutrient Protection Plan is available for public comment until March 28, 2022. Comments may be submitted electronically or by mail. DEQ will present the draft Bitterroot River Nutrient Protection Plan as part of the upcoming Bitterroot Focus Watershed Stakeholders Meeting. The public is invited to attend to hear the presentation. To view the document, view a short presentation on the plan, submit comment or to access the meeting online, visit: https://deq.mt.gov/News/publiccomment-folder/news-article60
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