Say farewell to the Flathead Basin Commission
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News from the Flathead Basin Commission
MONTANA — Passed during the 2023 Montana Legislative Session, Senate Bill 83 effectively created the Western Montana Conservation Commission (WMCC) with the purpose of protecting the existing high quality of western Montana’s aquatic resources. Initiated as part of Governor Greg Gianforte’s Red Tape Relief Initiative, WMCC effectively combines and replaces the roles and jurisdiction of the Flathead Basin Commission(FBC) and the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission (UC3).
WMCC is tasked to monitor the condition of aquatic and natural resources in western Montana, support the continuation of a comprehensive aquatic invasive species prevention program, enhance collaboration among natural resource partners and agencies, undertake investigations related to water quality and natural resource utilization, and hold public hearings concerning the condition of the aquatic resources and other natural resources in western Montana. WMCC will act as a convening body to facilitate coordination between resource managers across western Montana, including all land and water west of the continental divide.
Effective July 1, FBC and UC3 will dissolve, and the WMCC will be stood up in their place. With consistent staff, WMCC will continue to support many of the programs created by the FBC and UC3 and will rely on active participation by its commission members to develop new, innovative projects to fulfill its statutory duty.
You can learn more about WMCC by visiting WesternMTWaters.com or contacting Executive Director, Casey Lewis at casey.lewis@mt.gov.
