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N o n p o i n t S o u r c e M a n a g e m e n t P r o g r a m

M O N T A N A

Montana’s Vision Statement for Water Quality 

Water quality will be restored and protected through the implementa on of voluntary best management prac ces iden fied in science‐based, community supported watershed plans.

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Prepared By Water Quality Planning Bureau

Watershed Protec on Sec on    

Contributors Water Quality Planning Bureau

Water Quality Standards Sec on Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Sec on Watershed Management Sec on Watershed Protec on Sec on Informa on Management and Technical Services Sec on Quality Assurance and Quality Control Sec on

The Montana Associa on of Conserva on Districts The Montana Watershed Coordina on Council The Montana Wetland Council Montana State University‐Extension Water Quality Montana Watercourse

 

Acknowledgements This report was prepared by Laura Rennick Andersen, Water Quali‐ty Specialist with the Watershed Protec on Sec on of the Water Quality Planning Bureau (WQPB), Montana Department of Environ‐mental Quality (DEQ). Considerable advice and review was provid‐ed by Robert Ray, Sec on Supervisor for WQPB’s Watershed Pro‐tec on Sec on at DEQ. Input was also provided by Peter Ismert, with the Environmental Protec on Agency (EPA), Region 8. Individual updates were provided by collabora ng partners, WQPB supervisors, and staff: Eric Urban, for Water Quality Standards; Darrin Kron, for Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment; Dean Yashan, for Watershed Management; Michael Pipp, for Infor‐ma on Management and Technical Services; Mindy McCarthy, for Quality Assurance and Quality Control; Elena Evans, for the Volun‐teer Monitoring Partnership; Ann Schwend, for the Montana Wa‐tershed Coordina on Council, Jeff Tiberi, for the Montana Associa‐

on of Conserva on Districts and Lynda Saul, for the Montana Wetland Council. Photos, maps, and other graphics were provided by WQPB staff and partners. Montana Department of Environmental Quality Water Quality Planning Bureau 1520 E. Sixth Avenue P.O. Box 200901 Helena, MT 59620‐0901 Suggested Cita on: DEQ‐PPA‐WQPB‐WPS. 2012. Montana’s Nonpoint Source Management Program 2012 Annual Report. Helena, MT: Montana Department of Environmental Quality. WQPBWPSTR‐007

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 Table of Contents

Highlights from the 2012 NPS Program 1

Implementa on of the Montana NPS Management Plan 2

Water Quality Planning Bureau Highlights 3

Water Quality Standards Sec on 3

Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Sec on 4

Watershed Management Sec on 5

Watershed Protec on Sec on 6

Informa on Management and Technical Services Sec on 8

Quality Assurance and Quality Control Sec on 9

Partners and Highlights 11

Volunteer Monitoring Partnership 11

Montana Watershed Coordina on Council 14

Montana Wetlands Council 15

Looking Forward 18

Appendices 19

Appendix A Water Quality Planning Bureau Integrated Approach 19

Appendix B Montana Nonpoint Source Management Program Five Year Goals and Ac on Plan 20

Appendix C Fiscal Year 2012 Sec on 319 Project Awards 27

Appendix D Sec on 319 Projects Closed in 2012 28

Appendix F Volunteer Monitoring Lab Analysis Support Grants in 2012 30

Appendix G Watershed Restora on Plan Status 31

Appendix H Water Quality Planning Bureau Organiza onal Chart 32

Appendix E Sec on 319 Mini‐Grant Projects in 2012 29

Montana Associa on of Conserva on Districts 13

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Goal: Update the Montana Nonpoint Source Management Plan Nonpoint Source program staff and partners updated Montana’s NPS Management Plan. The updated Plan was submi ed to EPA and approved in July 2012. Goal: Complete Water Quality Plans and Necessary TMDLs The Watershed Management Sec on received EPA approval for 198 Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) in four TMDL Pro‐ject Areas in 2012. Goal: Evaluate Reference Sites The Water Quality Standards Sec on began re‐evalua ng 184 reference sites across Montana. Goal: Provide Support for and Promote the Development and Coordina on of Watershed Groups The Montana Watershed Coordina on Council hosted two training sessions this year – “Effec ve Water Quality Monitoring” and the “2012 Summer Forum: Tools for Healthy Watersheds.” Together these trainings reached roughly 200 watershed professionals in Montana.

Nonpoint Source Management Program 2012 Annual Report

The purpose of the Montana Nonpoint Source (NPS) Manage‐ment Program Annual Report is to inform the public on the annual progress toward fulfilling the goals of the NPS Manage‐ment Plan, while also sa sfying the requirements of Sec on 319 of the federal Clean Water Act of 1987, which requires states to: 1) assess waterbodies for NPS pollu on effects, 2) develop programs to manage those effects, 3) implement those programs, and 4) report on NPS program implementa‐

on to the public and to the U.S. Environmental Protec on Agency (EPA).

Highlights from the 2012 Nonpoint Source Management Program

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The watershed planning approach is a coordina on tool for all stakeholders interested in conserving water resources in Montana. By collabora ng in the watershed approach, DEQ, watershed groups, conserva on districts, agencies, tribes, aca‐demia, and non‐governmental organiza ons can broadly distribute informa on, thereby increasing public understanding and par cipa on in water quality protec on and nonpoint source issues. DEQ’s Water Quality Planning Bureau (WQPB) manages the Montana NPS Management Program. WQPB’s mission is to as‐sure that water quality is maintained and improved so that state waters can support all their beneficial uses. This is accom‐plished through an integrated approach based on water quality standards development, monitoring and assessment, and development and implementa on of water quality plans and TMDLs (Appendix A). This document highlights important and notable ac ons taken to achieve the NPS Plan’s 5‐year goals in three categories: Resource, Policy, and Educa on and Outreach (Appendix B). The highlighted ac vi es include projects in 2012 by WQPB, interagency councils, watershed groups, and other agencies and organiza ons to promote collabora on, foster water re‐source awareness, and protect and improve water quality in Montana.

Implementing the Montana NPS Management Plan by the Water Quality Planning Bureau and Partners

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WQS completed one technical project and is working to complete three technical reports on numeric nutrient standards. First, the technical project involved collec ng data in the upper Yellowstone River (Livingston to the confluence of the Big Horn River) to derive numeric nutrient criteria using a computer model, as was done in the Lower Yellowstone River. Sec‐ond, a final report for the 3‐year nutrient‐addi on field study carried out in Carter County should be available in 2013. Third, the Lower Yellowstone River report entered peer review and public comment in November 2011. The final report should be released early in 2013. Fourth, a report on data collected in the Missouri River (Toston dam to Canyon Ferry Lake) to derive numeric nutrient criteria using a computer model will be available late in 2014; more data must be collected in 2013. WQS con nues working through implementa on processes for nutrient criteria, which need to be refined before recom‐mending adop on of nutrient standards to the Board of Environmental Review (BER). Collabora ng with the advisory Nutri‐ent Work Group, WQS dra ed rules for nutrient standards and their implementa on. The rules are s ll being reviewed and modified. DEQ hopes to present BER with a nutrient standards package in 2013. WQS revised DEQ’s numeric criteria, found in Department Circular DEQ‐7, and BER approved them. The revised DEQ‐7 be‐came effec ve in October 2012 and includes 17 new standards, updates to exis ng pes cide standards, and updates to the required repor ng values for more than 200 exis ng standards. WQS is in the early stages of developing a macroinvertebrate indicator to be used in the dra sediment‐specific assessment method. WQS completed a second round of macroinvertebrate field sampling for sediment assessments in summer 2012. WQS collected diatom data in the Middle Rockies ecoregion to iden fy “nutrient‐increaser taxa.” These diatoms are found in greater concentra ons in streams with higher nutrient levels. This type of diatom data will help DEQ iden fy when these streams are affected by increased nutrient levels. The final report will be available in July 2013. WQS began re‐evalua ng 184 DEQ‐iden fied reference sites across the state to further refine and verify the accuracy of the reference sites. This project will take several years. WQS hosted the 2012 Federal and State Toxicology Risk Assessment Commi ee delibera ons in Helena, Mon‐tana. The commi ee provides technical input to EPA on developing new standards and helps establish priori es for new chemical toxicology research. In 2012, WQS began extensively reviewing data for Silver Bow Creek and ini ated a public outreach for its “I” classifica on. WQS an cipates comple ng the review in 2013 and recommending to BER an appro‐priate classifica on. Following this effort WQS will ini ate a similar review for the remaining “I” classified streams.

Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Water Quality Planning Bureau

Water Quality Standards

The Water Quality Standards Sec on (WQS) develops criteria to iden fy the level of water quality necessary to protect the beneficial

uses of a stream, river, lake, or groundwater resources that contribute to human well‐being. The NPS Program seeks to protect and re‐

store these beneficial uses, including drinking water, recrea on, and fish and aqua c life. Unlike the other WQPB sec ons, WQS does not

receive Sec on 319 funding; however, WQS’s work is instrumental to the rest of the NPS Management Program in Montana.

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During 2012, WQMAS began assessing water quality in watersheds that were not included as part of an ongoing TMDL inves ga on. The findings will provide impairment informa on for the TMDL program to con nue developing TMDLs a er 2014. The first project began in the Madison wa‐tershed, where WQMAS monitored for metals, nutrients, and bacteria. WQMAS also partnered with a local volunteer monitoring program, the Madison Stream Team, to support a local ini a ve, save state resources, and promote NPS educa on and outreach in the watershed. This moni‐toring focuses on currently impaired streams and uses a risk‐based ap‐proach to assess previously un‐assessed waterbodies in the Madison wa‐tershed. In 2013, DEQ will begin sediment and temperature‐related mon‐itoring in the Madison. WQMAS provided monitoring and assessment support to many TMDL projects, which must be completed as part of a consent decree by 2014. Along with a larger workload of impaired waters assessments associated with short‐term TMDL projects, this endeavor included the following monitoring projects:

Lower Blackfoot metals and nutrients Bi erroot nutrients and metals Central Clark Fork tributaries nutrients Clark Fork‐Silver Bow metals Flathead nutrients Thompson nutrients and metals Kootenai‐Fisher nutrients and metals Upper Clark Fork metals Hyalite Creek nutrients Flint nutrients

During 2012, WQMAS restarted a statewide fixed‐sta on monitoring pro‐gram, which began with 11 monitoring sites at medium and large rivers. Because new oil and gas produc on technologies are emerging in north‐east Montana, and they are not covered under the Clean Water Act, WQMAS began targe ng surface waters in small watersheds where oil and gas is being developed. WQMAS applied for assistance under the Montana DNRC Reclama on and Development Grants Program to inves‐

gate baseline groundwater condi ons in areas where hydraulic fractur‐ing for oil and gas is taking place. To support the development of water quality nutrient standards, WQMAS sampled two prairie streams in eastern Montana, in conjunc on with the Carter Conserva on District. WQMAS also provided monitoring resources for the Yellowstone River to support a nutrient model for large river standards development. Addi onally, three streams were sampled in western Montana to address 303(d) list comments or public requests. In support of TMDL development, WQMAS provided training to volunteers in the Madison on various monitoring tech‐niques, which included how to use field equipment. WQMAS also provided input on monitoring design, methods, field man‐ual prepara on, and field training for WQPB and other DEQ staff, as well as for general stakeholders.

Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment

The Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section (WQMAS) monitors water quality conditions and trends statewide and assesses

sources and severity of pollution problems by operating statewide water quality monitoring networks, inventorying pollution sources,

and identifying impaired waterbodies.

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In Montana, TMDLs are developed at a watershed scale to include the complete area that contributes a pollutant to a stream. TMDL project areas are established to facilitate this approach and as a way to group TMDL development for mul ‐ple waterbodies with similar impairment causes. The map shows Montana’s TMDL project areas and their status rela ve to TMDL development, with a focus on 2 years of TMDL development planning through 2014. In 2012, EPA approved 63 metals TMDLs in the Landusky project area, 20 sediment TMDLs in the Beaverhead project area, 47 metals and sediment TMDLs in the Flint project area, and 70 metals TMDLs in the Boulder‐Elkhorn project area. The total number of completed TMDLs is equal to 198 for 2012. TMDL project area documents scheduled for comple on in 2013 will address nutrients, pathogens and sediment in the Low‐er Galla n, sediment, temperature, and nutrients in the Boulder‐Elkhorn; sediment, temperature, nutrients, and metals in the Rock; nutrients in the Lower Blackfoot; metals in the Judith Mountains; sediment, temperature, nutrients, and metals in the Kootenai – Fisher; sediment and nutrients in the Upper Clark Fork – Silver Bow; temperature for the Beaverhead – Jefferson Rivers; and metals for the Bonita – Superior. During 2012, WMS con nued to improve the TMDL development process, including integra on of updated DEQ assessment methods into TMDL documenta on and providing assistance toward development of a database for storing and analyzing sediment and habitat results. WMS also increased stakeholder outreach via TMDL project area websites, referred to as wiki sites.

Watershed Management

The Watershed Management Section (WMS) develops Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for impaired waters on Montana’s 303(d)

list. A TMDL refers to the maximum amount of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still meet water quality standards. A TMDL

is sometimes expressed as a reduction in pollutant loading necessary to achieve water quality standards. The term TMDL is also used to

refer to the written document containing the TMDLs. TMDL documents in Montana typically include the framework for a restoration

strategy, including implementation and monitoring recommendations.

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WPS receives federal Clean Water Act (CWA) Sec on 319 funding to address NPS water quality problems in Montana. In December 2012, WPS closed out the fiscal year 2007 Sec on 319 Projects grant from EPA. This grant ($1,232,300) allowed DEQ to support 29 NPS projects throughout Montana between 2007 and 2012. In 2012, WPS also closed out the state fiscal year 2011 Sec on 319 Program grant ($1,386,317 of federal funds and $924,211 in state match). In 2012, DEQ awarded $868,485 in Sec on 319 NPS project grants to local projects, funding eight watershed restora on, two groundwater, and six educa on and outreach projects (Appendix C). Non‐federal in‐kind matches for these projects totaled $848,659. WPS con nued to use electronic applica on forms for the fiscal year 2013 Sec on 319 grant applica ons. These applica on forms have greatly reduced the amount of me required by both applicants and reviewers to complete the applica on process and have been well received. During 2012, WPS managed more than 50 ac ve Sec on 319 contracts that implemented the state’s NPS Management Plan. WPS is working to reduce the number of open contracts by limi ng contractors to two ac ve contracts, closing contracts within the original meframe and promo ng fewer large contracts (versus many smaller contracts). WPS closed 27 Sec on 319 contracts in 2012 and expects to close 8 more by mid‐February 2013 (i.e., contracts that expired in December 2012 with final reports due within 45 days). See Appendix D for a complete list of contracts closed in 2012. Beginning in July 2010, DEQ contracted the Soil and Water Conserva on Districts of Montana, Inc. (SWCDMI) to manage the Sec on 319 Mini‐Grants Program. Through this program, up to $2,000 per project is available to support local groups en‐gaged in water quality and NPS pollu on educa on efforts. SWCDMI works with the Montana Watershed Coordina on Council’s Educa on and Outreach Commi ee to review applica ons. SWCDMI awarded nine mini‐grants in February and another four mini‐grants in September, for a total of $23,090 awarded in 2012. For a complete list of mini‐grants awarded in 2012 see Appendix E. The Montana Nonpoint Source Management Plan (NPS Plan) was updated in 2012. The NPS Plan is the guiding document for nonpoint source management in Montana and is required to be updated every 5 years. WPS worked with partners to review language, priori es, and best management prac ces (BMPs) for the update. The 2012 NPS Plan is much more user friendly than previous versions. The updated NPS Plan includes a new five‐year ac on plan with ac ons and iden fied priori‐

es in three categories. These categories are Resource, Policy, and Educa on and Outreach. Each ac on has a responsible party and measurable milestones to determine success and is detailed in Appendix B.

Watershed Protection

The Watershed Protection Section (WPS) works to protect and restore water quality from the effects of nonpoint source (NPS) pollu‐

tion. NPS pollution is the state’s single largest source of water quality impairment. Unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treat‐

ment plants (point sources), NPS pollution comes from many widespread sources and can be generated by most land‐use activities. NPS

pollution is created when runoff water moves over and through the ground, delivering pollutants to lakes, rivers, wetlands, and ground‐

water. Common NPS pollutants include sediments, nutrients, heavy metals, pesticides, pathogens, oils, and salts.

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WPS con nued working with watershed groups to develop Watershed Restora on Plans (WRPs). The NPS program has funded 16 groups to develop WRPs. In 2012, WQPB accepted six WRPs in Montana (Shields, Sun, Teton, Upper Big Hole, Upper Galla n River, and Upper Clark Fork tributaries) and provided comment on mul ple dra WRPs. A complete list of WRPs under development are included in Appendix G. WRPs are an important planning document for groups doing on‐the‐ground watershed restora on and must contain nine elements specified by EPA:

1. An iden fica on of the causes and sources of water quality impairment. 2. An es mate of the load reduc ons and management measures necessary to meet standards. 3. A descrip on of the NPS management measures that will need to be implemented. 4. An es mate of the amounts of technical and financial assistance needed. 5. An informa on/educa on component. 6. A schedule for implemen ng the NPS management measures. 7. A descrip on of interim measurable milestones. 8. A set of criteria that can be used to determine whether loading reduc ons are being achieved over me. 9. A monitoring component to evaluate the effec veness of the implementa on efforts over me.

In 2012, WPS par cipated in various partner agency mee ngs. In May, WPS worked with the US Forest Service to hold the annual DEQ–Forest Service coordina on mee ng in Missoula. Topics included regional and Forest‐specific ac vi es, TMDLs, assessment procedures, permits, TMDL Implementa on Evalua on documents, and opportuni es for improved coordina‐

on. The Forest Service presented DEQ’s Director with an apprecia on award for DEQ’s efforts in the successful restora on and de‐lis ng of Big Creek in the Flathead Na onal Forest. On November 2, 2012, DEQ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USDA/NRCS. The MOU formalizes the collabora on between NRCS and DEQ to protect and enhance water resources in Montana. In par cular, the MOU lays out the framework under which NRCS and DEQ will collaborate to do the following:

Address point and nonpoint source pollu on from animal feeding opera ons Review Sec on 319 project applica ons Iden fy suitable watersheds for the NRCS Na onal Water Quality Ini a ve Develop technical/prac ce standards, technical references, administra ve rules, and internal planning policy

related to animal feeding opera ons Support the NRCS State Technical Commi ee

DEQ and NRCS have already begun to implement the new MOU.

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IMTS Data Management manages and administers nine rela onal databases and informa on management applica ons. These databases support the Clean Water Act (CWA) sec on 305(b) assessments and 303(d) lis ng decisions, water quality metric data, contracts, bibliographic references, and an inventory of monitoring equipment. IMTS publishes online the state’s biennial water quality Integrated Report (IR), solicits public comments on dra reports and documents, and enables water quality library queries; it also provides administra ve support for WQPB’s wiki sites maintained for the Sec on 319, TMDL, and water quality standards programs. Data Management supports EPA’s WQX and USGS’s NWIS data systems, which are used to analyze stream temperature data and process water quality metric data. Data Management provides repor ng tools from the program’s water quality assess‐ment and water quality metric databases. Data Management also maintains five geo‐databases that contain Montana’s sur‐face water use classifica ons, water quality monitoring and references sites, point‐source ou alls, and 305(b) assessment units. These will be published at h p://gisportal.msl.mt.gov/GPT9/catalog/main/home.page. In May 2012, EPA Region 8 approved the 2012 Montana IR and accompanying 303(d) list. The IR has updates on nine assess‐ment units, including 79 pollutant delis ngs for EPA‐approved TMDLs and 2 delis ngs for achieved water quality standards. During 2012, IMTS Data Management developed a new data system for managing sediment and habitat assessments on wadeable streams. The Sediment and Habitat Data Manager integrates the manage‐ment of data elements common to evalua ng sedi‐ment regime and habitat condi ons for streams. These elements include details of channel cross‐sec ons, pools, riffles, large woody debris, channel substrate (pebble counts), vegeta on (greenline), and bank erosion es mate (BEHI). Managing all as‐sessment projects and site visits in a common rela‐

onal database will allow staff to discern common traits, trends, and measures and be er inform devel‐opment of target values that support fish and other aqua c life. IMTS Data Management began work on two major applica on development projects: Clean Water Act Informa on Center (CWAIC) version 3 and WARD phase 3 (see chart). The CWAIC website provides public access to the state’s IR, among other things, and will use enhanced so ware for Web‐based data searching and GIS mapping. The new version will al‐low database access via queries or directly through a mapping interface. New data warehouse architecture will also enhance query efficiency and streamline sys‐tem management, reducing overall opera ng and maintenance costs.

Information Management and Technical Services

The Information Management and Technical Services (IMTS) Section develops and manages science and business‐related information

systems and provides technical support for the Water Quality Planning Bureau, including the Nonpoint Source Program. IMTS also pro‐

vides project management, agency‐bureau IT coordination, mentors other state environmental agencies in data management, and sup‐

ports water quality/watershed modeling to develop TMDLs and water quality standards. IMTS is divided into the Data Management

Group and the Modeling Group.

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Through a Na onal Environmental Informa on Exchange Network grant, EPA helped fund the Water Quality Assessment, Repor ng, and Documenta on system (WARD) phase 3 project. This will allow the program to fully integrate EPA’s Assess‐ment Database (ADB), required for federal repor ng, within the state’s WARD data system, elimina ng data redundancies and achieving a state‐maintained system for documen ng and repor ng state assessment data and informa on. The project will implement electronic repor ng for IRs. This project will also create the warehouse for assessment data in the latest CWAIC applica on. IMTS Data Management processed 180 water quality data packets (as of October 26th) from 63 unique monitoring projects into its water quality database: Montana EQuIS (Environmental Quality Informa on System) for WQX (MT‐eWQX). Of these 180 packets, 170 were new data inserts, 7 were data revisions or correc ons, and 3 were dele ons. IMTS’s Modeling Group supported modeling for TMDL planning in the Bi erroot River (nutrients and temperature), Flint Creek (nutrients), and Flathead Basin (nutrients), as well as storm water analysis for the Lower Galla n TMDL and analysis of on‐site wastewater (sep c) system loading to groundwater for various projects. Other work include publishing the final re‐port for the Yellowstone River QUAL2K model, suppor ng numeric nutrient standards development on the Upper Yellow‐stone River and Upper Missouri River; comple ng a long‐term (100‐year) model run for Tongue River watershed, inves ‐ga ng natural varia on of salinity concentra ons; and ini a ng a modeling project for salinity in the Tongue River and Pow‐der River basins for TMDL development.

In 2012, QAQC aided WQPB by building process‐es to support (a) developing water quality crite‐ria, (b) repor ng the condi on of the state’s wa‐ters, (c) developing TMDLs, (d) implemen ng best management prac ces, and (e) determining the effec veness of implementa on strategies. QAQC coordinates with other agencies, conser‐va on districts, watershed groups, and other en es to ensure quality data that can be used in water quality assessments as well as for devel‐oping TMDL and implemen ng projects funded

by CWA Sec on 319 grants. As the state’s monitoring strategy is implemented, QAQC assists with numerous project‐specific quality assurance project plans (QAPPs) and sampling and analysis plans (SAPs). As new or modified methods and processes are developed, QAQC dra s or revises many of WQPB’s Standard Opera ng Procedures (SOPs). All groups that receive Sec on 319 funding are required to submit a QAPP and/or SAP before monitoring. Along with Mon‐tana State University‐Extension Water Quality and Montana Watercourse, QAQC helped develop a general QAPP to provide data quality guidelines and a basic framework for training volunteers. QAQC encourages volunteer monitoring groups to develop clear and thorough QAPPs, which outlines the project’s goals, objec ves and processes. In addi on, SAPs document the procedural and analy cal requirements for projects. Using these planning documents increases the validity of the data, and quality data will help make be er decisions about the watershed. In 2012, QAQC collaborated with several conserva on districts, watershed groups, and volunteer monitoring groups to de‐velop 4 QAPPs/SAPs and 12 SAPs. The focus on volunteer monitoring was for baseline water quality and trend analysis, as

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

The Quality Assurance and Quality Control Section (QAQC) supports the Nonpoint Source Program and WQPB and its contractors by

developing and describing the management and technical procedures that will assure the quality of environmental information used to

support decisions. This is referred to as a "quality system." It provides WQPB with a practical framework for managing the quality of

activities, resulting in environmental determinations and controls.

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well as to monitor for effec veness of restora on ac vi es and pollutant load reduc ons, and monitor to characterize groundwater and surface water interac ons. Projects included

Galla n Groundwater Project QAPP/SAP Haskill Creek – Reimer Bank Stabiliza on Project QAPP/SAP Sun River QAPP Teton River QAPP Ashby Creek Restora on Monitoring SAP Belt Creek Acid Mine Discharge‐Recharge Area Iden fica on SAP Big Pipestone Creek and Jefferson Slough Habitat & Sediment Source Monitoring Bozeman Creek Volunteer Monitoring for E. Coli SAP Big Fork Stormwater Project SAP Grave Creek SAP Helena Valley NPS Assessment SAP Li le Bighorn Watershed Metals Baseline Monitoring SAP Moore Creek Volunteer Monitoring for E. Coli SAP Morrell Creek Monitoring Project SAP Sun River Watershed – Muddy Creek Restora on Project SAP Upper Clark Fork Tributaries Project Effec veness Monitoring SAP

QAQC’s goals for 2013 include developing temperature and EC/SAR (salinity) assessment methods and new SOPs for specific water quality monitoring aspects that lack procedures. The new methods will provide a structured and consistent approach to assessments for those pollutants and will allow DEQ to make reproducible and defensible decisions about beneficial‐use support. The new SOPs will document field monitoring ac vi es that lack procedures and will create conformance to tech‐nical and quality system requirements and to support data quality.

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The Water Quality Planning Bureau (WQPB) partners with a number of organiza ons, including Montana State University Extension Water Quality (MSUEWQ), Montana Watercourse, and Montana Watershed Coordina on Council (MWCC) to promote volunteer monitoring (VM) efforts across the state. This year the Madison Stream Team, the Li le Bighorn Col‐lege, and the Clearwater Resource Council received DEQ Vol‐unteer Monitoring Lab Analyses Support. In the future, the WQPB’s Watershed Protec on Sec on would like to increase volunteer monitoring par cipa on and funding for lab anal‐yses by restructuring deadlines and requirements, specifical‐

ly implemen ng a new deadline of March 29 for proposals. WQPB will hold mee ngs in January and February in two differ‐ent Montana loca ons to provide informa on and support to groups through Q&A sessions and reference documents. In April, a review panel of MWCC Monitoring Work Group members will review QAPP/SAP dra s. Before volunteer monitoring funds are allocated, DEQ must approve a group’s applica on and QAPP/SAP. Changes in lab analyses funding were made, in part, because of feedback from a volunteer monitoring session held during MWCC’s Summer Forum. To be er assess needs and direct future volunteer monitoring efforts and funding, MSUEWQ sur‐veyed current volunteer efforts, presented the results, and facilitated a conversa on about exis ng resources and opportu‐ni es for improvement. Conclusions from the discussion were grouped into three components: personnel, technical sup‐port, and equipment and analy cal support. A key personnel finding was the need to capitalize on the new Big Sky Water‐shed Corps program, jointly coordinated through the Montana Conserva on Corps, the Montana Associa on of Conserva‐

on Districts, and MWCC. DEQ, MSUEWQ, and the MWCC Monitoring Commi ee are working to improve technical and ana‐ly cal support. Volunteer monitoring is important for linking com‐muni es with water quality and building cri cal da‐tasets. This year, the Madison Stream Team exempli‐fied the great role volunteer efforts can play in devel‐oping datasets important to agencies and water quality assessment. The Madison Watershed Part‐nership, DEQ, MSUEWQ, Big Sky Watershed Corps, and a dedicated group of volunteers coordinated to monitor 6 streams encompassing 18 sites. The col‐lected data will be used for water quality assess‐ment, TMDL development, and baseline informa on for future BMP and assessment monitoring. Past vol‐unteer efforts have facilitated the development of the framework necessary for developing quality con‐trol and quality assurance measures required for high quality data.

Partners and Highlights

Volunteer Monitoring Partnership

The Water Quality Planning Bureau has met nonpoint source goals and successfully maintained the viability of watershed groups across

the state by supporting and coordinating with organizations such as the Montana Watershed Coordination Council, Montana Water‐

course, Montana State University Extension Water Quality, Montana Association of Conservation Districts, Montana Wetland Council,

and numerous state and federal agencies.

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Success Story: Improved Road Infrastructure and Data Collection Swift Creek near Whitefish, Montana

The Swi Creek watershed, located in Northwestern Montana, includes three assessment units, the East Fork, the West Fork and the mainstem of Swi Creek from the confluence of the east and west forks to Whitefish Lake. This mountainous drainage is dynamic in nature with a flashy, snowmelt‐driven hydrograph and high bedload sediment transport. Swi Creek, along with its east and west forks, was put on the 1996 303(d) List of impaired waters because these segments were par ally suppor ng aqua c life and coldwater fisheries, as a result of nutrient and sediment pollutants. The impair‐ment sources included silviculture and road/highways as well as natural sources. Be er understanding of the natural background sediment and nutrient loads, coupled with improvements in road infra‐structure by Plum Creek Timber Company, the Flathead Na onal Forest and the Montana DNRC S llwater State Forest con‐tributed to water quality improvements and de‐lis ng. The Whitefish County Water and Sewer District was also an im‐portant contributor, in part through securing three (2002, 2003 and 2005) Sec on 319 grants, which were used to monitor water quality, review exis ng data, and develop and implement restora on ac vi es. These restora on ac vi es along Swi Creek and its tributaries have included replacement of approximately 15 culverts, as well as 3 bridges designed to re‐duce sediment from road and bridge sources. In 2009 and 2011, sediment and nutrient monitoring data reviews found improvements in water quality, which led to deter‐mina ons that these three segments are fully suppor ng aqua c life and a coldwater fishery. The 2012 Integrated Report reflects the delis ng of sediment and/or nutrient impairments on these three segments.

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For more than 70 years, the Montana Associa on of Conserva on Districts (MACD) has contributed to the success of its con‐s tuent conserva on districts across the state. Created in 1942, MACD is a nonprofit associa on governed by a statewide board of directors, who simultaneously serve as district supervisors in their own jurisdic ons. In order to carry out the spe‐cific direc ves of the board, MACD has an office in Helena. Montana’s 58 conserva on districts use locally‐led and largely non‐regulatory approaches to successfully address natural resource issues. Districts have a decades‐long history of conserving Montana’s resources by matching the needs of local people with technical and financial resources, ini a ng good conserva on prac ces to benefit all Montanans. 2012 was a produc ve year for MACD in assis ng with nonpoint source pollu on issues across the state. Some ac vi es in‐cluded:

1. Administering the mini‐grant program for DEQ, allowing tens of thousands of dollars to be sent to dozens of groups across Montana to address NPS issues.

2. Working closely with partners at the Montana Watershed Coordina on Council (MWCC) to provide their admin‐istra ve and financial services and to administer contracts.

3. Hiring a new contractor for the Conserva on Advisor for Livestock Opera ons (CALO) program to work with landowners in the Shields and S llwater river valleys. In early December, the CALO program published an opera‐tor’s guide to help livestock operators self‐assess their situa on. The guide offers ideas for possible next steps.

4. Administra ng a new Water Quality Assistance and Support program with MWCC and support from DEQ. More than $80,000 was earmarked for 10 groups working on water quality issues across the state.

In 2012, MACD’s Irriga on Water Management program included nearly 50 fields. The program helps growers to efficiently manage their water resources, improving water quality in many ways. In addi on, conserva on districts across the state con nue to manage Montana’s Natural Streambed and Land Preserva on Act (310 permit) program. And finally, MACD is part of a na onwide movement to improve soil health, addressing NPS issues by managing soil to reduce the need for herbi‐cides, pes cides, insec cides, and fer lizers.

Montana Association of Conservation Districts

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The Montana Watershed Coordina on Council (MWCC) is a statewide network that supports and advances local water‐shed work. MWCC links local watershed groups, natural resource agencies, and private organiza ons with the goal of enhancing, conserving, and protec ng natural resources and sustaining the high quality of life in Montana for pre‐sent and future genera ons. MWCC provides a forum for sharing resources, iden fying and capitalizing on opportu‐ni es for collabora on, and preven ng duplica on of efforts. In January 2012, MWCC hosted its Annual General Mee ng, during which it approved Opera ng Guidelines. Mark Haggerty, of Headwaters Economics, gave a well‐received presenta on on oil and gas development. MWCC

approved a change in leadership structure to a Chair, Vice‐Chair, and Treasurer and voted in officers for those posi ons. MWCC formalized its Steering Commi ee as 11 vo ng members and several non‐vo ng members who serve as advisors. In addi on, MWCC has a Water Resources and Educa on and Outreach commi ee as well as a new Development Commi ee; all three commi ees are chaired by staff from DEQ’s Water Quality Planning Bureau. Mul ple work‐groups within these commi ees (some of which are led by DEQ staff) offer forums for agencies, academia, conserva on districts, watershed groups, and nonprofit organiza ons to discuss issues and offer solu ons to water resource needs in Montana. In May, MWCC’s Training and Monitoring work groups hosted the spring coordinator training: Effec ve Water Quality Moni‐toring. Developed by DEQ, this 3‐day training was created for watershed group coordinators, conserva on district employ‐ees, and Big Sky Watershed Corp members. This training helped par cipants understand how to conduct an effec ve water quality monitoring project, including project planning, learning field methods, and analyzing data. In August, MWCC hosted the Summer Watershed Forum: Tools for Healthy Watersheds. Nearly 100 watershed profession‐als throughout Montana par cipated in this 2‐day conference. Breakout sessions focused on protec ng, managing, and re‐storing watersheds. The Big Sky Watershed Corps presented on their various service projects. A watershed restora on plan‐ning workshop, volunteer monitoring forum, and tour of the Lake Helena watershed rounded out Day 2. The 2012 inaugural year of the Big Sky Watershed Corps‐AmeriCorps partnership program was a huge success. In June, the Governor’s Office of Community Service awarded 15 host site slots for placement for the upcoming (2013) term. The select‐ed host sites are located throughout Montana, and many of the incoming members will be working directly on developing or expanding ci zen‐based water monitoring pro‐jects within their host watersheds. This will expand the capacity of host organiza ons, as well as improve the network of water monitoring programs across Montana. In October, MWCC received funds from DEQ to cre‐ate a Water Quality Assistance and Support (WQAS) program. The program commi ed $80,000 to 10 different groups in Montana to provide capacity and financial assistance to organiza ons that have, or are ini a ng, water quality projects in their watersheds. WQAS will result in more coordinated local efforts, leading to improved water quality throughout Mon‐tana.

Montana Watershed Coordination Council

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The Montana Wetland Program is part of the Technical and Financial Assistance Bureau of DEQ’s Planning, Preven on and Assistance Division and leads the Montana Wetland Council. DEQ’s Wetland Program provides state leadership to conserve wetlands for their water quality, water quan ty, habitat, and flood control benefits. As the lead state agency for wetland protec on, DEQ collaborates with the Montana Wetland Council to develop and implement the state wetland plan. The Montana Wetland Council is an ac ve network of diverse interests that cooperates to conserve and restore Montana’s wetlands and riparian ecosystems. The council’s mission is to coordinate efforts to protect, conserve, and enhance Mon‐tana’s wetland and riparian resources for present and future genera ons. The council coordinated more than 500 Montan‐ans in the planning process to create “A Strategic Framework for Wetland and Riparian Area Conserva on and Restora on in Montana 2008 –2012.” The state plan priori zes and directs collec ve efforts in conserving and restoring wetlands and riparian areas. The council’s four working groups are based on the strategic direc ons from the state plan and include the following topics:

Public Educa on and Professional Development Mapping, Monitoring, and Assessment Restora on Local Government, Vulnerable Wetlands, and Public

Policy The council is currently assessing progress from the 5‐year plan and upda ng the plan through 2017. Montana’s overarching wetland goal is “no overall net loss of the state’s remaining wetland resource base (as of 1989) and an overall increase in the quality and quan ty of wetlands in Montana.” Coun‐cil par cipants work to implement the strategic framework and meet three mes each year to exchange informa on and find solu ons to complex wetland and riparian issues. The council’s listserv has grown to more than 700 individuals, and all interested par es are encouraged to par cipate. In 2012, DEQ’s Wetland Program hosted three day‐long Montana Wetland Council mee ngs. Approximately 50–75 people a ended each mee ng and came away with informa on and contacts to help address wetland and riparian management issues. Mee ng topics focused on the following: January 19 – Wetland Mi ga on and Other Aqua c Ecosystem Exchange and Market Mechanisms. Par cipants learned about wetland mi ga on developments in Montana, ecosystem exchange, and market mechanisms and approaches used in Montana as well as new approaches that may be coming to Montana. Compensatory mi ga on and other market drivers for offse ng the effects on water resources are increasingly important mechanisms for restoring wet‐lands and other aqua c ecosystems. Peer‐reviewed research con nues to document that restora on success is limited; i.e., current restora on prac ces fail to recover original levels of wetland ecosystem func ons, even a er many decades. If cur‐rent restora on prac ces are used to jus fy further degrada on, then global loss of wetland ecosystem func on and struc‐ture will spread. May 30 – Energy Development and Agriculture: Wetland and Riparian Issues Affec ng Central and Eastern Montana. Con nued loss of grasslands and wetland complexes in eastern Montana underscore the need for expanded efforts to con‐serve these habitats on public and private lands. Sessions highlighted the recent advances in GIS technology that can iden ‐fy high‐priority habitat for waterfowl and described the various state and federal programs to assist landowners in conserv‐ing wildlife habitats. Par cipants saw examples of how these federal programs have been implemented in eastern Montana. Other talks focused on the expansion of energy development in northeast Montana, which may greatly affect the quan ty and quality of regional water resources. Descrip on of the interconnec ons among the various uses of water and natural processes in semi‐arid northeast Montana showed a complex resource management system that must be understood in order to sustain the natural water‐oriented systems here.

Montana Wetland Council

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November 15 – Targeted Wetland Restora on for Water Quality Improvement, Habitat, Flood Storage, and Overall Water‐shed Management.  Eight presenta ons focused on targeted restora on, ranging from a pilot project integra ng wetland restora on in TMDL watershed plans (Big Hole and Galla n), to a new Web‐based tool to explore where protec ng and restoring wetlands can help address water quan ty and quality impairments. The Montana Natural Heritage Program’s reference network was showcased. Several site‐specific restora on projects that improved water quality were highlighted. A discussion on tar‐ge ng conserva on prac ces in agricultural watersheds in the Midwest was included to demonstrate other prac ces across the county, and a restora on project implemented under EPA’s Resource Conserva on and Recovery Act was presented. In 2012, the Wetland Program completed several wetland and riparian contracts and in‐house projects that furthered the goals of Montana’s Strategic Framework:

Developed Wetland Program Plans to guide DEQ’s wetland program and integrate wetlands more fully into oth‐er DEQ water programs.

Developed an In‐Lieu‐Fee aqua c mi ga on program as an addi onal op on for CWA permi ees to comply with the federal Mi ga on Rule.

Ini ated the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Silver Jackets program in Montana to implement recommenda ons from the 2011 Floodplain Assessment report.

Inves gated and updated DEQ’s 401 cer fica on program and process to strengthen and enhance wetland pro‐tec on at the state level.

Developed and provided the second professional wetland science con nuing educa on course through the Ex‐tended University at Montana State University. This 3‐day course focused on planning for wetland restora on success.

On‐going projects include:

Demonstra ng approximate floodplain mapping for four rural local governments on the Big Hole River and de‐veloping standards and guidance for regulatory floodplain mapping.

Researching op ons regarding wetland water quality standards and their necessity to further protect wetlands in Montana.

Demonstra ng how incorpora ng wetlands into Watershed Restora on Plans can be used to address known water quality impairments iden fied in the TMDL process.

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2012 Montana Storm Water Conference Weathering the Storm: Strategies and Solutions for Managing Storm Water

Kalispell hosted the state’s second Storm Water Conference, from April 10 to 12, which a racted 138 par cipants from throughout the state and provided a valuable forum for sharing informa on on stormwater and protec ng water quality in Montana. A endees represented engineering and consul ng firms, state and federal agencies, county and city govern‐ments, watershed groups, water and wastewater facili es, landscaping businesses, and nonprofit water protec on organiza ons. The conference goals were in direct response to the 2007 Nonpoint Source Management Plan and addressed the following objec ves:

Protect and restore Montana’s streams and lakes from non‐point source pollu on

Protect and restore Montana’s naturally occurring wetlands and riparian areas from adverse effects

Use constructed wetlands as a BMP where appropriate to improve water quality

Addi onally, the conference addressed urban growth and development issues, including low‐impact development that posi vely affect water quality. Major conference topics explored:

Montana Storm Water Case Studies – Successes and Lessons Learned

Water Quality Monitoring Natural Landscapes and Storm Water Management Designs for Storm Water Management

Keynote and General Session topics included:

Storm Water, Sustainable Development, and Property Rights EPA – Na onal and Regional Perspec ves on Storm Water

Management Storm Water U li es: Development and Implementa on Funding Op ons for Storm Water Projects – State Grant and Loan Programs Low‐Impact Development: Principles, Prac ces, and Applica on Trends Guiding Behavioral Change through Local and Statewide Storm Water Educa on Programs Coopera on and Coordina on between Development Interests and Floodplain and Stormwater Managers

The final day of the conference was devoted to tours that focused on various storm water treatment projects that pro‐tect water quality, including constructed wetlands, riparian buffer restora on, and the Bigfork Storm Water Project. Post‐conference evalua ons strongly supported future storm water conferences, and par cipants asked that future conferences include sessions on: a. specific designs for storm water projects, b. informa on that targets both MS4 and non‐MS4 com‐muni es, c. community storm water educa on programs, and situa‐

onal storm water design op ons.

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DEQ con nues to demonstrate that the Montana Nonpoint Source Management Program is commi ed to and capable of addressing nonpoint source pollu on in Montana and that a voluntary, incen ve‐based approach works well in this state. The state has many commi ed partner agencies, non‐governmental organiza ons, and concerned ci zens who par cipate in addressing nonpoint source water quality pollu on. Priori es for 2013 include:

Present nutrient standards package to the Board of Environmental Review Con nue to develop and implement watershed‐based TMDLs Review and accept Watershed Restora on Plans Complete TMDL Implementa on Evalua ons Revise Sec on 319 Repor ng Guidance for contractors in Montana Develop SOPs for specific water quality monitoring

A major concern is the con nuing decrease in Sec on 319 funding to Montana from the federal government. In Montana, federal Sec on 319 funds are essen al in providing a clean and healthful environment. Montana’s 319 funds support sub‐stan ve agency ac vi es, coordina on, planning and programs, as well as on‐the‐ground projects in communi es through‐out the state, crea ng jobs while protec ng and restoring Montana’s irreplaceable natural resources. Without this funding the local economies and environments would suffer. Poten al nega ve effects from the proposed budget cuts for Sec on 319 may be compounded by possible decreased federal funding to other natural resource agencies, including the Natural Resource Conserva on Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Environmental Protec on Agency. These cuts, in conjunc on with addi onal requirements for the Sec on 319 program (e.g., limi ng programma c funding to 50% of the state’s 319 award), may require the Sec on 319 program to shi priori es to meet these requirements.

Looking Forward

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1. The Water Quality Standards Sec on defines the goals for a waterbody by designa ng its uses, se ng criteria to protect those uses, and establishing provisions to protect waterbodies from pollutants.

2. The Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Sec on monitors water quality condi ons and trends statewide and assesses sources and severity of pollu on problems.

3. The Data Management Sec on reports assessment findings. 4. The Watershed Management Sec on develops TMDL plans for waters not mee ng standards. 5. The Watershed Protec on Sec on supports the nonpoint source implementa on of TMDLs. 6. Water quality standards developed by the Water Quality Standards Sec on are used throughout DEQ, such as in

the Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimina on System program, to ensure clean water protec on by all permi ed point‐source dischargers.

Water Quality Standards Section

Water Quality Monitoring Section

Data Management Section

Watershed Management Section

Water Quality Monitoring Section

Develop Water Quality Standards

Assess the State’s Waters to Determine Compliance with

Water Quality Standards

Reporting (Water Quality Integrated

Report-303(d)/305(b))

Develop Plans to Attain and Maintain Water Quality

Standards (TMDLs)

Implement the Plans

Voluntary NPS Activities

Authorized Point Source Discharges

Assess the State’s Waters to Determine Compliance with

Water Quality Standards

Attain Water Quality Standards

Ada

ptiv

e M

anag

em

ent

Track Progress Data Management

Section

Watershed Protection Section

Water Quality Discharge Permits Section

Steps in the Water Quality Restoration Process

DEQ Organizational Units

Appendices

Appendix A – Water Quality Planning Bureau Integrated Approach

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Appendix B – Montana Nonpoint Source Management Program’s 5‐Year Action Plan and Priorities

The Montana Nonpoint Source (NPS) Management Program’s goal is to provide a clean and healthy environment by protec ng and re‐storing water quality from the effects of nonpoint sources of pollu on. The short‐term (5‐year) goal of Montana’s NPS Management Pro‐gram is to demonstrate significant progress in protec ng and restoring Montana’s water quality from nonpoint sources of pollu on as measured by achieving the ac ons outlined in the NPS Management Plan. These ac ons focus on three specific areas: resource‐specific goals, policy‐specific goals, and educa on and outreach‐specific goals.

5‐year Ac on Plan for addressing NPS Pollu on – Resource Related Ac ons

No.  Responsible Party Ac ons 

Measurable Milestones/Outputs  2012 Accomplishments (Outcomes/Objec ves) 

R1* DEQ, EPA Complete Water Quali‐ty Improvement Plans (WQIPs) and necessary TMDLs.

At least 500 addi onal TMDL pollu‐tant‐waterbody combina ons between 2012 and 2014

198 TMDLs, addressing 209 pollutant‐waterbody combina ons, wri en and ap‐proved in 2012.

R2* DEQ Conduct statewide wa‐ter quality assess‐ments.

130 water quality assessments com‐pleted by 2014

Monitoring occurred on at least 160 water‐bodies for water quality assessments, statewide fixed‐sta on monitoring and TMDL support efforts. Significant progress on data analysis for impairment determina on has occurred on 100 waterbodies and informa on is currently being updated in DEQ’s WARD database.

R3* DEQ Review/update Water Quality Integrated Re‐port (305(b)/303(d)).

Updated reports in 2014 and 2016 2012 Integrated Report approved by EPA in May 2012.

R4 DEQ Re‐evaluate the chemi‐cal, physical, and bio‐logical condi on of reference sites.

At least 100 reference sites re‐evaluated by 2017

WQS began the re‐evalua on of the 184 reference sites across the state iden fied by DEQ as reference sites. This effort will further refine and verify the accuracy of the reference sites. The re‐evalua on of these reference sites will be a mul ‐year project.

R5* DEQ Work with watershed groups to develop wa‐tershed restora on plans (WRPs).

20 DEQ‐accepted WRPs by 2017 DEQ accepted 6 in 2012. See Appendix G for a complete list.

R6* DEQ Encourage and fund WQIP‐ and WRP‐directed NPS water‐shed restora on pro‐jects, including demon‐stra on projects, for adop on of new tech‐nology.

Annually fund on‐the‐ground water‐shed restora on ac vi es

9 Watershed Restora on projects were funded in 2012.

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R7 DEQ Iden fy the TMDL Plan‐ning Areas having WQIPs and TMDLs in which at least some implementa on ac vity has occurred during the previous calendar year.

Annual repor ng spreadsheet in‐cluded in NPS Annual Report

Implementa on ac vi es occurred in 26 TMDL Planning Areas during 2012.

R8* DEQ Develop and imple‐ment a monitoring strategy for Sec on 319 restora on ac vi es for effec veness and pollutant load reduc‐

ons.

Approved monitoring strategy by 2017

No ac vity related to the development of a comprehensive effec veness and load‐reduc on monitoring strategy.

100% of projects for nutrient and sediment reduc on reported to EPA Grant Repor ng and Tracking System

All projects reported for 2012.

R9* DEQ Conduct TMDL imple‐menta on evalua ons (TIE).

Complete 20 reviews by 2017 4 TIEs have been completed to date (none in 2012).

R10 DNRC Work with forest agen‐cy partners (especially DNRC Forestry Assis‐tance) to ensure effec‐

ve forestry BMP and SMZ ac vi es.

Biannual reports on forestry BMP audits

The Montana Forestry Best Management Prac ces (BMP) Working Group met twice in 2012 to discuss current and on‐going forest BMP ac vi es in the state. The group is cur‐rently working on upda ng Water Quality BMPs for “Montana Forests,” a popular publi‐ca on used by forest operators for BMP infor‐ma on. Led by the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conserva on (DNRC), 42 field reviews were completed in summer 2012 to evaluate whether forestry BMPs were being applied and were effec vely limi ng nonpoint source pollu on from harvest opera‐

ons in Montana. Results show that across all ownerships (state, federal, industry, and non‐industry private forests), BMPs were properly applied 98% of the me and were effec ve in protec ng soil and water resources 99% of the

me.

R11 DNRC Work with forest agen‐cy partners to develop assessments to ensure BMPs and SMZs are protec ng riparian and wetland func ons.

Assessment of BMP and SMZ ade‐quacy for riparian and wetland func ons

The Montana Streamside Management Zone (SMZ) law was applied 97% of the me across all ownerships, with effec veness oc‐curring 99% of the me.

R12 DNRC, Plum Creek Assess the effec ve‐ness of SMZ and HCPs.

Repor ng from the resource agen‐cies on SMZ and HCPs by 2017

No ac vity.

R13* DEQ Provide reviews and comment on outside agency proposed pro‐jects that may have an effect on NPS pollu on.

Reviews completed and comments provided as appropriate

DEQ reviewed and commented on numer‐ous plans/projects in 2012 as requested.

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R14 DEQ Develop, maintain, and enhance Clean Water Act Informa on Center (CWAIC online) to pro‐vide public access.

System operable and available to public

The Data Management Group began work on two other major applica on development projects: CWAIC version 3 and WARD phase 3. The program’s CWAIC (Clean Water Act Infor‐ma on Center) website provides public access to the state’s biennial water quality Integrat‐ed Reports.

R15 DEQ Administer MT‐eWQX water quality database system.

Upload all ambient water quality monitoring data collected by DEQ, its contractors, or data partners to EPA Na onal STORET/WQX water quality data warehouse

The Data Management Group processed 180 unique water quality data packets (as of October 26, 2012) from 63 unique monitoring projects into its water quality metric data‐base: Montana EQuIS (Environmental Quality Informa on System) for WQX (MT‐eWQX). Of these 180 packets, 170 were new data inserts, 7 were data revisions or correc ons, and 3 were dele ons correc ng errant sta on IDs.

R16 DEQ Administer electronic data deliverables (EDD) submi al process for non‐DEQ eWQX data submi als using EQuIS data management tools.

Provide Web access to data sub‐mi al process informa on, data man‐agement tools and training, and tech‐nical assistance to data partners and contractors

ITMS conducted 398 data transac ons to WQX through 11/26/2012. IMTS did not con‐duct any training MT‐eWQX events for data partners during 2012 because all ac ve part‐ners are trained and fully capable with the data submission tools and process.

R17* DEQ Develop nutrient mod‐els for large rivers (e.g., Missouri, Yellowstone).

Models developed for at least 2 large river segments by 2017

Lower Yellowstone River nutrient model was completed, and the modeling report has been ve ed via peer review under EPA’s NSTEPS Program (Nutrient Scien fic Technical Exchange Partnership & Support). The report will be published soon.

Missouri River nutrient model data collec on has been conducted, and model development is in progress.

Upper Yellowstone River nutrient model data was collected during 2012 and model devel‐opment will start in 2013.

R18* DEQ Protect, restore, and create riparian and wetland buffers de‐signed to prevent or reduce NPS pollu on.

3 miles of riparian and/or wetland buffers as part of Sec on 319 contracts

Mul ple projects were ac ve in 2012 that included protec ng, restoring, or crea ng riparian buffers to reduce NPS pollu on. These projects (212060, 212064, 211073, 211083, 212061, 212058, 211069, 212055, 211077, and 211072) will eventually create more than 23,000 feet (4.3 miles) of buffers.

R19 DEQ Iden fy watersheds where NPS pollu on from AFOs can be re‐duced.

Iden fy 3 high‐priority watersheds for restora on work by 2017

Through the CALO contract with SWCDMI, DEQ iden fied the Shields and S llwater Riv‐ers as watersheds where NPS pollu on from AFOs can be reduced. An “On‐Site Guide for Livestock Opera ons” was developed in 2012 as part of this project.

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R20 DEQ Encourage addi onal stormwater quality improvement projects funded through the state revolving fund program.

At least 4 stormwater projects fund‐ed by 2017

No ac vity in 2012.

R21* DEQ Manage and imple‐ment the NPS program in efficient and effec‐

ve manner, including fiscal management.

Provide consistent guidance on state repor ng requirements

WPS is currently revising its 319 contract repor ng requirements, to be implemented in FY2013 contracts.

Conduct contract “kick‐off” mee ngs

WPS conducted 9 kick‐off mee ngs with contractors in 2012.

Ensure 75% of 319 contracts are closed by ini ally‐agreed date

42% of 319 contracts closed in 2012 were completed by the ini al contract end date.

Refine watershed project field evalu‐a on form

No ac vity.

* Indicates a high priority for the NPS Program

5‐year Ac on Plan for addressing NPS Pollu on – Policy Related Ac ons

No.  Responsible Party Ac ons  Measurable Milestones/

Outputs 2012 Accomplishments 

(Outcomes/Objec ves) 

P1* DEQ, FWP, MWCC, USACE, USFS, NRCS, BLM, DNRC, Individual watershed groups, private consul ng firms, USFWS, MACD, others

Develop an interagency policy for river restora on work, emphasizing restora on of natural processes.

Interagency policy sup‐ported by a wide range of government, nonprofit, and private en es by 2017

No ac vity.

P2* DEQ in collabora‐on with agen‐

cies, watershed groups, and other interested par es

Develop and implement a strategy for iden fying priority watersheds on which to focus technical and financial resources, leading to two 12‐digit HUC watersheds achieving water quality standards.

Strategy document, set of ac on items, and at least 1 ac on item completed by 2017

Discussions ini ated with NRCS and USFS in 2012.

P3* DEQ Develop and implement DEQ water quality improvement MOUs with agencies, including USFS, BLM, DNRC, MDT, NRCS, and MFWP.

3 MOUs established or revised by 2017

DEQ and NRCS signed an MOU in 2012 to formalize collabora on between NRCS and DEQ to protect and enhance water resources in Montana.

P4 DEQ Assist in efforts to develop cumula‐ve effects assessment strategies

for groundwater in high‐density sep c/development areas.

Provide assistance with developing 5 assessment strategies

The DEQ Method for Es ma ng A enua‐on of Nutrients from Sep c Systems

(MEANSS) assesses the poten al significance of nutrient loading from sep c systems within the watershed; MEANSS has been used in five TPAs to assess nutrient loading: Bi erroot, Bison, Flint, Li le Blackfoot, Lower Galla n. On‐going efforts, supported in part by 319 funds including a 2012 grant in the Lake Hele‐na watershed.

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P5 DEQ, DNRC, NRCS, irriga on districts, CDs, watershed groups, private landowners

Provide technical and/or financial support to efforts designed to re‐duce irriga on‐induced NPS pollu‐

on.

Technical and/or finan‐cial support provided to at least 3 projects

In 2012, DEQ awarded one 319 grant providing financial support to irrigators: the Big Pipestone Creek Restora on Project in the Jefferson River watershed. This project will promote irriga on efficiency and reduce NPS pollu on from irriga on sources.

P6* DEQ Develop numeric nutrient water quality standards and implementa‐

on procedures for surface waters.

Standards and imple‐menta on procedures in place by 2012

The criteria have been developed and DEQ con nues to work with stakeholders on the details of implementa on.

BER‐approved nutrient trading policy for point/nonpoint sources

Nutrient trading regula ons were adopted at the December 7, 2012, Board mee ng.

P7* DEQ Develop technical basis for a lake classifica on system based on nu‐trient status.

Lake classifica on sys‐tem by 2017

No ac vity.

P8* DEQ Develop and circulate numeric standards for all pes cides iden ‐fied in Montana groundwater and surface waters.

Adop on of numeric standards for all pes cides within 4 years of DEQ no fi‐ca on of detec on in state waters

The October 2012 revision to the DEQ‐7 incorporates numeric standards for all of the detected pes cides.

P9 coun es, with DEQ support

Encourage the establishment of addi onal Water Quality Protec on Districts (WQPD) within urban are‐as.

One addi onal WQPD established by 2017

No ac vity.

P10* ci es and coun es Incorporate NPS pollu on preven‐on into city and county planning

processes.

By 2017, 3 addi onal communi es have incorpo‐rated NPS pollu on preven‐

on into local planning pro‐cesses

No ac vity.

P11 DEQ Support improved urban storm‐water management and infor‐ma on sharing through the MS4 task force.

Ac ve MS4 task force by 2013

The MS4 Task Force was formed at the 2012 Stormwater Conference. It is scheduled to meet twice a year – June and December. Topics to be discussed include MS4 Annual Reports, DEQ compliance evalua on inspec‐

on findings, and MS4 audits.

P12* DEQ, MWCC, col‐laborate with oth‐er federal, state, and local agencies

Develop a system or network for long‐term monitoring that will pro‐duce data to evaluate water quality trends in waterbodies with com‐pleted TMDLs.

Develop system/network architecture by 2015

No ac vity.

Begin implementa on by 2017

No ac vity.

P13 DEQ Develop guidance for water quality monitoring.

Guidance for monitoring under Sec on 319 contracts

No ac vity.

QAPP guidance No ac vity.

SAP guidance No ac vity.

M o n t a n a N o n p o i n t S o u r c e M a n a g e m e n t P r o g r a m

25

P14 DEQ, MWCC, MSUEWQ

Provide technical and financial sup‐port to volunteer monitoring groups.

Con nue funding for laboratory analysis

DEQ funding for lab analyses was restruc‐tured to improve assistance in the develop‐ment of QAPP/SAPs for FY13. Sec on 319 funding to MSUEWQ further provided support and structure to volunteer monitoring pro‐grams through a session at the MWCC Sum‐mer Forum, instruc onal videos, and train‐ings.

Provide on‐going tech‐nical support for develop‐ment of QAPPs and SAPs

P15 DEQ Develop a nutrient trading policy that encourages nutrient load re‐duc ons consistent with WQIP/TMDLs.

Nutrient Trading Policy and demonstrated effec ve trades

The Nutrient Trading Policy was approved by the Board of Environmental Review in De‐cember 2012. A trade has been effected by the city of Helena.

* Indicates a high priority for the NPS Program

5‐year Ac on Plan for addressing NPS Pollu on – Educa on and Outreach Ac ons

No.  Responsible Party Ac ons  Measurable Milestones/

Outputs 2013 Accomplishments 

(Outcomes/Objec ves) 

EO1* MTWC, DEQ Incorporate school lesson plans that address water resources and NPS pollu on issues.

Incorporate up to 20 lessons into the appropriate units of study at 60 elemen‐tary schools, 30 middle schools, and 20 high schools

21 teachers a ended a Project WET train‐ing hosted by Montana Watercourse (MTWC) in 2012.

EO2* MWCC Provide support and promote the development and coordina on of watershed groups through MWCC ac vi es, training workshops, ad‐ver sing campaigns, etc.

Annual watershed coor‐dinator training

MWCC hosted "Effec ve Water Quality Training" in May 2012.

Annual watershed tour MWCC Water Ac vi es workgroup hosted a tour of restora on sites in the Lake Helena watershed in August 2012.

Bi‐weekly newsle er MWCC published the Bi‐Weekly E‐News consistently throughout 2012.

Coordinate a volunteer water monitoring group to collect water quality data and human‐effects info within specific watersheds.

In 2012, the MWCC Monitoring Work Group reconvened with new and exis ng members to link en es that conduct water monitoring in Montana with helpful resources and to promote effec ve ci zen‐based moni‐toring programs.

EO3* DEQ Support riparian and wetland buff‐er educa on campaigns.

Support 5 county‐wide campaigns by 2017

No ac vity.

EO4 DEQ, MDT, MSU Promote and support BMP training for road maintenance personnel.

Compile library of train‐ing materials

No ac vity.

Bi‐annual training for road maintenance person‐nel

DEQ met with the MDT maintenance su‐pervisor for the Lolo District in October 2012 and discussed ways to limit winter trac on sand from entering Lolo Creek.

EO5 DEQ Develop and deliver mul ‐media presenta ons that teach basic con‐cepts in reducing NPS pollu on from agricultural sources.

Develop at least 2 presenta ons

No ac vity.

Deliver each presenta‐on twice by 2017

No ac vity.

EO6 DEQ Support conferences that address stormwater pollu on preven on and control strategies.

Two stormwater confer‐ences held between 2012 and 2017

DEQ awarded a Sec on 319 contract to Montana Watercourse for FY2013 to plan a Stormwater Conference for 2014.

2 0 1 2 A n n u a l R e p o r t

26

EO7 DEQ Iden fy and/or develop monitoring and assessment methods for pri‐vate landowners to inform land management decisions.

Develop self‐assessment tool for private landowners by 2017

The On‐Site Guide to Livestock Opera ons was developed by the CALO project in 2012.

EO8 DEQ, MWCC, MSUEWQ

Provide training opportuni es for volunteer monitors.

Training provided to 10 watershed groups by 2017

MWCC provided training to 14 watershed groups and conserva on districts in 2012 on Water Quality Monitoring geared toward vol‐unteer monitoring groups.

EO9 DNRC, Montana Logging Assoc., and MSU Forestry Ext.

Promote and conduct forestry BMP and stewardship educa onal work‐shops and programs.

Annual BMP/SMZ educa‐on workshops for loggers

and landowners

In coopera on with the Montana Logging Associa on, DNRC put on its annual BMP/streamside management zone (SMZ) work‐shop in five Montana ci es in May 2012. Addi‐

onally, DNRC conducted pre‐opera on site visits to discuss specific BMPs and the SMZ law with forest operators. Montana State Univer‐sity Extension Forestry offered three Forest Stewardship courses, an educa on program for family forest landowners, in 2012.

Forest stewardship pro‐gram targe ng small land‐owners throughout Mon‐tana

* Indicates a high priority for the NPS Program

M o n t a n a N o n p o i n t S o u r c e M a n a g e m e n t P r o g r a m

27

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I‐M

G1

2‐1

4

Wat

ersh

ed R

esto

rao

n C

oal

io

n

1st

An

nu

al C

lark

Fo

rk R

ive

r Fe

sva

l $

1,7

75

Min

i‐G

ran

ts A

wa

rded

in O

cto

ber

20

12

by

SWC

DM

I (D

EQ c

on

tra

ct #

)

SWC

DM

I‐M

G1

3‐0

1

Bi

er R

oo

t W

ater

Fo

rum

R

eveg

eta

on

on

E. F

ork

$

2,0

00

SWC

DM

I‐M

G1

3‐0

2

Flat

hea

d L

aker

s Fl

ath

ead

Riv

er S

tew

ard

$

2,0

00

SWC

DM

I‐M

G1

3‐0

3

Low

er M

uss

elsh

ell C

D

Bes

t P

rac

ces

Wo

rksh

op

s $

2,0

00

SWC

DM

I‐M

G1

3‐0

4

Mo

nta

na

Wat

erco

urs

e G

rou

nd

Wat

er

Tru

nk

$

2,0

00

Cal

en

dar

Ye

ar 2

01

2 T

ota

l $

2

3,0

90

2 0 1 2 A n n u a l R e p o r t

30

Ap

pe

nd

ix F

—V

olu

nte

er

Mo

nit

ori

ng

Lab

An

alys

is S

up

po

rt G

ran

ts in

20

12

Spo

nso

r P

roje

ct

Pro

ject

De

scri

po

n

Fun

din

g A

war

d

Aw

ard

Dat

e

Lin

db

ergh

Lak

e H

OA

Li

nd

ber

gh L

ake

Vo

lun

teer

M

on

ito

rin

g

The

Lin

db

ergh

Lak

e H

om

eo

wn

er’s

Ass

oci

ao

n (

LLH

OA

) h

as

sam

ple

d n

utr

ien

t p

aram

eter

s in

Lin

db

ergh

lake

on

an

d off

si

nce

19

89

. Th

e fu

nd

ing

will

co

ver

lab

an

alys

is o

f n

utr

ien

t an

d c

hlo

rop

hyl

l‐a

con

cen

tra

on

s at

th

ree

loca

on

s in

th

e la

ke a

s w

ell a

s at

a s

ite

in t

he

rive

r o

utl

et d

uri

ng

the

sum‐

mer

s o

f 2

01

1 a

nd

20

12

.

$7

75

Ju

ly 2

01

1

Tro

ut

Un

limit

ed

Ma

e V

Cre

ek V

olu

nte

er

Mo

nit

ori

ng

Tro

ut

Un

limit

ed w

as a

war

ded

fu

nd

ing

for

aqu

ac

mac

roin‐

vert

ebra

te c

om

mu

nit

y an

alys

is o

f sa

mp

les

colle

cted

fro

m

Ma

e V

Cre

ek in

th

e N

inem

ile C

reek

dra

inag

e w

est

of

Mis

sou

la. M

acro

inve

rteb

rate

sam

ple

s w

ere

colle

cted

fro

m

fixe

d s

ites

in a

co

ntr

ol r

each

an

d a

res

tore

d r

each

bo

th

bef

ore

an

d a

er s

trea

m r

ehab

ilita

on

wo

rk o

ccu

rred

in

resp

on

se t

o le

gacy

eff

ects

of

pla

cer

min

ing.

Sam

ple

s w

ill

be

anal

yzed

by

Dav

e St

aglia

no

, aq

ua

c ec

olo

gist

wit

h t

he

Mo

nta

na

Nat

ura

l Her

itag

e P

rogr

am.

$1

,38

0

Sep

tem

ber

2

01

1

Mad

iso

n W

ater

shed

P

artn

ersh

ip

Mad

iso

n S

tre

am T

eam

s

Vo

lun

teer

Mo

nit

ori

ng

The

new

ly f

orm

ed M

adis

on

Str

eam

Tea

m P

rogr

am, u

nd

er

the

dir

eco

n o

f M

adis

on

Wat

ersh

ed P

artn

ersh

ip C

oo

rdi‐

nat

or

Sun

ni H

eike

s‐K

nap

ton

, rec

eive

d f

un

din

g to

sam

ple

n

utr

ien

ts a

nd

me

tals

in fi

ve s

trea

ms

du

rin

g fa

ll 2

01

1 a

nd

sp

rin

g/su

mm

er 2

01

2. M

SU E

WQ

ass

iste

d w

ith

dev

elo

pin

g th

e D

EQ a

pp

rove

d S

AP

. Th

e fi

ve s

trea

ms

bei

ng

sam

ple

d

are

on

Mo

nta

na’

s 3

03

(d)

list

of

imp

aire

d w

ater

s w

ith

TM

DL

dev

elo

pm

ent

fort

hco

min

g. T

he

Str

eam

Tea

ms

are

colle

cn

g d

ata

asso

ciat

ed w

ith

th

e 3

03

(d)

liste

d c

ause

s o

f im

pai

rme

nt,

wh

ich

will

aid

su

bse

qu

ent

TMD

L d

evel

op‐

men

t fo

r th

ese

stre

ams

wh

ich

cu

rre

ntl

y h

ave

limit

ed d

ata

avai

lab

ility

.

$2

,50

0

Oct

ob

er 2

01

1

Ap

sáal

oo

ke W

ater

an

d

Was

tew

ater

Au

tho

rity

B

igh

orn

Riv

er W

ater

shed

V

olu

nte

er M

on

ito

rin

g

The

Ap

sáal

oo

ke W

ater

an

d W

aste

wat

er A

uth

ori

ty o

f th

e C

row

Tri

be

of

Na

ve A

mer

ican

s w

as a

war

ded

lab

an

alys

is

fun

din

g to

ass

ist

wit

h o

bta

inin

g a

bas

elin

e w

ater

qu

alit

y d

ata

for

gro

un

d a

nd

su

rfac

e w

ater

pri

or

to t

he

fo

rth

com‐

ing

op

era

on

of

a la

rge

ind

ust

rial

pla

nt

that

will

co

nve

rt

coal

to

liq

uid

fu

els.

MSU

EWQ

will

ass

ist

the

Cro

w T

rib

e w

ith

dev

elo

pin

g th

e SA

P.

$2

,00

0

No

vem

ber

2

01

1

M o n t a n a N o n p o i n t S o u r c e M a n a g e m e n t P r o g r a m

31

Ap

pe

nd

ix G

—W

ate

rsh

ed

Re

sto

rati

on

Pla

n (

WR

P)

Sta

tus

Wat

ers

he

d/G

rou

p N

ame

Fun

din

g

WR

P S

tatu

s

Low

er C

lark

Fo

rk W

ater

shed

Gro

up

‐

Tri

bu

tary

Cre

eks

20

05

31

9, 6

04

(b)

fun

din

g, 2

00

9 3

19

A

CC

EPTE

D (

Oct

ob

er 2

01

0).

Shie

lds

Riv

er/

Par

k C

D

20

09

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

09

06

3)

AC

CEP

TED

(Se

pte

mb

er 2

01

2).

Sun

Riv

er/

Sun

Riv

er W

G

20

09

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

09

06

5)

AC

CEP

TED

(Fe

bru

ary

20

12

).

Swan

Riv

er/

Swan

Eco

syst

em C

ente

r 2

00

7, 2

00

8, 2

00

9 3

19

A

CC

EPTE

D (

Oct

ob

er 2

01

0).

Teto

n R

iver

/ Te

ton

WG

2

00

9 3

19

(co

ntr

act

20

90

62

) A

CC

EPTE

D (

Oct

ob

er 2

01

2).

Up

per

Big

Ho

le/B

ig H

ole

Wat

ersh

ed C

om

mi

ee (

BH

WC

), U

pp

er B

ig

Ho

le P

artn

ersh

ip

20

09

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

09

06

1)

AC

CEP

TED

(D

ecem

ber

20

12

).

Up

per

Cla

rk F

ork

/ W

ater

shed

Res

tora

on

Co

ali

on

2

00

7 T

MD

L 3

19

(co

ntr

act

20

70

58

) A

CC

EPTE

D (

Dec

emb

er 2

01

2).

Up

per

Gal

lan

/ B

lue

Wat

er T

ask

Forc

e

20

09

TM

DL

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

09

07

8)

AC

CEP

TED

(Se

pte

mb

er 2

01

2).

Up

per

Jeff

erso

n/

Jeff

erso

n R

iver

Wat

ersh

ed C

ou

nci

l 2

01

0 T

MD

L 3

19

(co

ntr

act

21

01

28

) Fi

nal

Dra

Su

bm

ied

. In

dra

fo

rm s

pri

ng

20

11

.

Bea

verh

ead

Wat

ersh

ed C

om

mi

ee

20

10

TM

DL

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

10

14

0)

Un

der

Dev

elo

pm

ent.

Ju

st s

tar

ng

on

th

e W

RP

Bi

erro

ot

Riv

er /

Bi

er R

oo

t W

ater

Fo

rum

(B

RW

F)

20

12

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

12

05

4)

Un

der

Dev

elo

pm

ent.

Sch

edu

led

to

be

com

ple

ted

by

Jun

e 3

0, 2

01

3.

Bla

ckfo

ot/

Bla

ckfo

ot

Ch

alle

nge

2

01

2 3

19

(co

ntr

act

21

20

55

) U

nd

er D

evel

op

men

t. R

evie

wed

dra

“cr

oss

wal

k” d

ocu

men

t in

20

10

.

Flin

t C

reek

WG

2

00

9 T

MD

L 3

19

(co

ntr

act

20

90

74

) U

nd

er D

evel

op

men

t. S

ched

ule

d t

o b

e co

mp

lete

d b

y Fe

b 1

, 20

14

.

Lake

Hel

ena

Wat

ersh

ed G

rou

p

20

11

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

11

07

2)

Un

der

Dev

elo

pm

ent.

In d

ra s

tage

s.

Lolo

Wat

ersh

ed G

rou

p

20

09

TM

DL

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

09

07

5)

Un

der

Dev

elo

pm

ent.

Rev

iew

ed J

un

e 2

01

1. A

np

ate

acce

pta

nce

aer

cu

rren

t re

visi

on

s.

Mid

dle‐L

ow

er B

ig H

ole

/Big

Ho

le W

ater

shed

Co

mm

iee

(B

HW

C)

20

10

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

10

10

9)

Un

der

Dev

elo

pm

ent.

Will

be

com

ple

ted

fo

llow

ing

com

ple

on

of

Up‐

per

Big

Ho

le W

RP

.

Nin

emile

/ T

rou

t U

nlim

ited

2

01

1 3

19

(co

ntr

act

21

20

59

) U

nd

er D

evel

op

men

t.

Cle

arw

ater

Riv

er/

Cle

arw

ater

Res

ou

rce

Co

un

cil (

CR

C)

20

09

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

09

06

6)

No

t C

om

ple

te W

RP

. Pre

limin

ary

rese

arch

do

ne.

No

pla

ns

for

wri

ng

actu

al W

RP

yet

.

Flat

hea

d L

ake/

Flat

hea

d L

aker

s 2

01

2 3

19

(co

ntr

act

21

20

61

) N

ot

Co

mp

lete

WR

P. C

om

ple

on

by

sum

mer

20

14

.

Big

Fo

rk/F

lath

ead

Co

un

ty

20

09

31

9 (

con

trac

t 2

09

06

4)

NO

T A

CC

EPTE

D. C

om

ple

ted

, ho

wev

er, c

ou

nty

un

able

to

ad

dre

ss D

EQ’s

co

mm

ents

on

ad

dre

ssin

g ar

ea s

ou

rces

& a

co

ns.

Big

Sp

rin

g/ F

ergu

s C

ou

nty

CD

an

d B

ig S

pri

ng

Cre

ek W

ate

rsh

ed

Co

un

cil (

BSC

WC

) 2

00

8 3

19

(co

ntr

act

20

80

28

) N

OT

AC

CEP

TED

. No

t o

rigi

nal

ly in

ten

ded

to

be

a co

mp

lete

WR

P; fi

nal

p

rod

uct

su

bm

ied

, do

es n

ot

mee

t al

l nin

e m

inim

um

ele

men

ts.

Ru

by

Riv

er/

Ru

by

WG

2

00

7 3

19

(co

ntr

act

20

70

42

) N

OT

AC

CEP

TED

. Dra

om

ple

ted

in s

um

mer

20

11

, do

es n

ot

inco

rpo

rate

9

ele

men

ts o

r D

EQ c

om

men

ts. N

o fi

nal

su

bm

ied

.

2 0 1 2 A n n u a l R e p o r t

32

Ap

pe

nd

ix H

– W

ate

r Q

ual

ity

Pla

nn

ing

Bu

reau

Org

aniz

atio

nal

Ch

art

An electronic version of this report is available at h p://deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/nonpoint/AnnualReports.mcpx

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