Flathead Basin Commission meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 15

KALISPELL — Members of the Flathead Basin Commission (FBC) will hold a meeting on February 15, from 10am – 2:30pm at the DNRC office, 655 Timberwolf Parkway, here in Kalispell.

Several guest speakers will make presentations related to key areas of interest. During the morning session, Dr. Bonnie Ellis from the Flathead Lake Biological Station will discuss the final results of the Phase II Shallow Groundwater Study commissioned by the FBC. The data obtained from this study, as well as the Phase I groundwater study, provides the first documentation in the Basin related to potential shallow groundwater contamination associated with Pharmaceutical and Personal Care products, and included an analysis of storm water runoff from sites which drain into Flathead Lake.

During the morning session, the FBC will also discuss its draft Action Plan for the next five years, obtain a report from the FBC Monitoring Committee and provide an update on transboundary issues related to the BC-MT Memorandum of Understanding.

In the afternoon, the FBC will focus primarily on Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) updates and prevention planning for the 2012 field season. More specifically, the Montana Department of Agriculture will discuss the pending management area under consideration for the containment of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM) associated with the EWM found in Beaver Lake last fall. Elected officials, interested agencies and the public are encouraged to take part in this dialogue.

In addition, Josh Gubits from the Whitefish Lake Institute will summarize the data obtained from the FBC/MTFWP Volunteer Monitoring Program for the 2011 field season.

The Flathead Basin Commission was established by the Montana Legislature in 1983 to “monitor and protect” the water quality of the Flathead River drainage system. All FBC meetings are open to the public.

For more information, contact the FBC at 240-3453.