Spring 2017

A Road Map
In following BSWSD meetingminutes,
over the following months,
it was learned direct-discharge was
discussed into not only the Gallatin,
but also the Madison River, via Jack
Creek, between Kristen Gardner,
Ron Edwards, Michael Ducuennois,
and others. This series of meetings
culminated with the beginnings of a
stakeholder forum being proposed
in November 2015. Initial funding
for this forum was provided by none
other than Yellowstone Club and
Lone Mountain Land Company, the
two key-sources of new wastewater
introduction due to rapid and out of
control development.
Following the interconnecting
minutes of these past meetings
of BSWSD and GRTF, as well as
the Big Sky Area Resort District
(BSRAD), provided a virtual road
map for a choreographed directdischarge
campaign.
One of the issues so telling is the
need for public approval through
a PR campaign in an effort to sell
the likely unpopular proposal of
sending sewage into the historic
gem of the Greater Yellowstone
Ecosystem. As fisherman flock to
the wild and calming waters of the
Gallatin River, many would believe
this is a centerpiece of environmental
protection, but the truth and reality is
saddening and disheartening.
One would think an organization
with the name Task Force within it
would be a protector of the entire
river system bearing its name, but
with a board consisting of people
who fall outside of the spectrum of
conservationists, little good is to
be expected. Board member Ron
Edwards found little need to worry
about opposition to proposals from
other conservation groups as he
conveyed to me in an April 2016
interview that he, “doesn’t see GYC
or TU as litigious as once were back
in the day,” and doesn’t anticipate
strong backlash. He continued to tout
that perhaps, “one environmental
group might take run at them,”
but suggested they would win the
discharge permit from DEQ.
Greater Yellowstone
Club?
But, GRTF is not the only nonprofit
undermining and disserving our
beloved river. I reached out to other
groups only to receive discouraging
responses.
trout pose
MONTANA FLYFISHING