tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65897092870767610852024-03-27T01:31:49.288-06:00The WaterbloggerThe Clark Fork Watershed Education Project (CFWEP) uses outdoor activities and local experts to teach about the effects of settlement and industry on the Upper Clark Fork basin, and to give students and educators the scientific background to quantify the health of our watershed. Our philosophy is that place-based, hands-on, field and classroom activities instill in participants a clearer grasp of fundamental concepts and methods as well as creating a sense of watershed stewardship.Matt Vincenthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05283471573032462602noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-17497573998803924952010-05-25T10:54:00.008-06:002010-05-25T11:22:21.915-06:00Summer 2010 Restoration Around the Clark Fork Basin<strong>Butte </strong><br /><br />While the EPA Five-Year Review of Butte Superfund sites continues, reclamation and restoration work is still ongoing in the area. At the top of the Butte hill near Walkerville construction will be completed in 2010 on the Granite Mountain Memorial Interpretive Area. The Memorial itself is being expanded, and an already partially-completed trail will connect that area to the greater uptown Butte trail system. This new trail will provide the public with access to the historic Foreman’s Park near the Mountain Con mine yard.<br /><br />Monitoring of stormwater and groundwater is also ongoing to insure that metals and other mining contaminants from the Butte hill do not recontaminate the restored Silver Bow Creek. New groundwater monitoring wells are being installed near the historic Silver Bow Creek channel, commonly known as the Metro Storm Drain, and also in Lower Area One on the west side of the Butte, where treatment lagoons capture contaminated groundwater and surface water to prevent contamination from reaching Silver Bow Creek.<br /><br />Beyond 2010 the Metro Storm Drain and Lower Area One treatment lagoons will be evaluated; best management practices for stormwater will be implemented; the Butte Reclamation Evaluation System will continue to monitor capped mine dumps on the Butte hill to ensure that historic mine wastes are not spreading; and the voluntary Residential Metals Abatement Program will continue to assist residents in assessing and removing historic wastes present in Butte homes.<br /><br />Work also continues on the restoration of Silver Bow Creek. Through the summer, crews are removing mine waste and restoring the creek through Durant Canyon and near Fairmont Hot Springs.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbBz0uTAUoPCXCSb6Jy4FE_koezDatCiHx4h8Lc1GGP4IpTk-N2U62lB6y00obKTw-o7oIWqIO7XL3St8D9MmWvlJyC8l7N8d8J8-N8i5qiffCbKbg5JahYUmpvB3aJGt9JbeVB-EDoo/s1600/sbcatstclauseroad_forblog_052510.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475258596913416850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbBz0uTAUoPCXCSb6Jy4FE_koezDatCiHx4h8Lc1GGP4IpTk-N2U62lB6y00obKTw-o7oIWqIO7XL3St8D9MmWvlJyC8l7N8d8J8-N8i5qiffCbKbg5JahYUmpvB3aJGt9JbeVB-EDoo/s400/sbcatstclauseroad_forblog_052510.jpg" /></a> <em><span style="font-size:85%;">Above: A restored reach of Silver Bow Creek near Butte shows a developing riparian plant community.<br /></span></em><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8qVfs2Q8iH-N_0coboZjIQcz1AxPDelJR3cgHIAs625ZIVyIxu_VWGZ1DGSE-dTi6OoP0Qx29h5KX-qYj_lZDJgMt_xD9Klm8ZECS_17_7k_65-fwvT8vfs7drrmwu3G-qzJm6agbqY/s1600/sbcathwy1_forblog_052510.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475258547490140354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8qVfs2Q8iH-N_0coboZjIQcz1AxPDelJR3cgHIAs625ZIVyIxu_VWGZ1DGSE-dTi6OoP0Qx29h5KX-qYj_lZDJgMt_xD9Klm8ZECS_17_7k_65-fwvT8vfs7drrmwu3G-qzJm6agbqY/s400/sbcathwy1_forblog_052510.jpg" /></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;"> Above: An unrestored reach of Silver Bow Creek near Anaconda has little vegetation along the streambank due to the presence of mine tailings; these acid and heavy metal-laden soils prevent most plants from growing. This reach is slated for restoration in the next 1-2 years.<br /></span></em><br /><strong>Anaconda</strong><br /><br />A lot of clean-up is underway in Anaconda, including reclamation north of Warm Springs Creek near the Galen Highway; clean-up of the Airport property; and Montana DEQ will begin reclamation on Stucky Ridge. Clean-up also continues along rail lines and rail yards.<br /><br />In 2010, EPA will begin the fourth Five-Year Review of the Anaconda Smelter site. Reviews address portions of the site where remedial construction has been completed and where EPA has determined the remedy is operational and functional.<br /><br />Next door at Opportunity, management continues at the BP-Arco Waste Repository.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhrGOKE1otUhMoiQkrScA-YBbiMjZ4BN-ILxk7bNZEybGcE7SnQ7_utgy7JsHWDlIi4p5YcTYCal_-xUjPI4yrbGMRuuXIouJhe_UR2UPHGgEO81W_AyPm9gtXI90TyhJM_Y1y43iwaw/s1600/oppponds_forblog_052510.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475258298876232226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhrGOKE1otUhMoiQkrScA-YBbiMjZ4BN-ILxk7bNZEybGcE7SnQ7_utgy7JsHWDlIi4p5YcTYCal_-xUjPI4yrbGMRuuXIouJhe_UR2UPHGgEO81W_AyPm9gtXI90TyhJM_Y1y43iwaw/s400/oppponds_forblog_052510.jpg" /></a>The site, formerly the Opportunity Ponds, was a tailings repository for the Anaconda Smelter. It covers an area of over five square miles, with deposits of mine waste averaging about 20 feet deep. Due to that considerable volume of contamination, wastes removed from elsewhere in the Clark Fork Basin are transported to the Opportunity Ponds site. Topsoils are then revegetated to reduce erosion.<br /><br />During the five-year review of Anaconda sites, EPA and DEQ welcome public comments regarding Anaconda-area work, and comments may help to determine recommendations for the future. Citizens may send written comments through May 28 to:<br /><br />Charlie Coleman<br />Remedial Project Manager<br />10 West 15th Street, Suite 3200<br />Helena, MT 59626; or<br /><br />John Brown<br />Superfund Project Officer<br />P.O. Box 200901<br />Helena, MT 59620-0901.<br /><br /><strong>Milltown Area</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR319BI9pHUiRYppHnw01m52bWV5x5jm4exoo5S4F0b25M5s25IlbMVwBLZZkTOmpxhFW9jycnTh6lBzylfy636smKXb5e2lKUSg4Z4-6iGyfUCeX_RECeQJrpHkJ0c7078k3LIgmGyo/s1600/milltown_forblog_052510.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475255481877206434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihR319BI9pHUiRYppHnw01m52bWV5x5jm4exoo5S4F0b25M5s25IlbMVwBLZZkTOmpxhFW9jycnTh6lBzylfy636smKXb5e2lKUSg4Z4-6iGyfUCeX_RECeQJrpHkJ0c7078k3LIgmGyo/s400/milltown_forblog_052510.jpg" /></a><br />At the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers, the last trainload of contaminated sediments left the Milltown site on September 24, 2009. Work still continues at the site to restore the historic stream channel. The Clark Fork River is currently diverted until that work can be completed. Once that work is done, restoration of the greater confluence site will begin.<br /><br />The Clark Fork River Technical Assistance Committee (CFRTAC) has a wealth of additional information on their website at <a href="http://www.cfrtac.org/">http://www.cfrtac.org/</a>. </div>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-59504970762813345992010-05-25T10:44:00.007-06:002010-05-25T10:53:20.337-06:00Checking In with Clark Fork Ecosystems and Spring Field Season PhotosCFWEP’s spring field season started off cold and windy, but things have been warming nicely. So far, CFWEP has collected field data with four Butte area schools: Butte Central, Fred Moodry Middle School, Ramsay Middle School, and East Middle School.<br /><br />Fred Moodry Middle School sampled water chemistry, vegetation, macroinvertebrates and soil from Silver Bow Creek near Anaconda (a mining-impacted site) and from the unimpacted Warm Springs Creek in Anaconda. The students findings were striking. For example, the conductivity at the impacted site was twice as high as the unimpacted site, indicating that there were more dissolved particles at that location on Silver Bow Creek. Both sites had a high diversity of macroinvertebrates, but only unimpacted Warm Springs Creek had stonefly and mayfly larvae, which are the most sensitive indicators of healthy streams. The students found a high diversity of vegetation at the unimpacted site, with a healthy mix of ground cover, understory and over story, while the impacated site vegetation habitat consisted of tailings, bare ground and pollution tolerant plants. All of the students clearly enjoyed their field trips, and kudos to them for braving sometimes wet, windy, cold conditions to do science.<br /><br />Below are photos from various winter-spring 2010 field trips and education projects.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUhlNtFKnCXGxiysa4vZpaJ4CPPzBJ2AjacQDRhfBXRd2-q5xw6LTHFV-WdAcAa6TchPv_rHVgLAh5gEhNtcg5foomwDDzlAUw_26eaRIEN9VtO99baZwMPhhYVoCll4UZ8To4ehsAvo/s1600/stormwater.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475251187784225282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUhlNtFKnCXGxiysa4vZpaJ4CPPzBJ2AjacQDRhfBXRd2-q5xw6LTHFV-WdAcAa6TchPv_rHVgLAh5gEhNtcg5foomwDDzlAUw_26eaRIEN9VtO99baZwMPhhYVoCll4UZ8To4ehsAvo/s400/stormwater.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Butte students help to improve the Butte stormwater system that discharges into Silver Bow Creek.</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1npaQncoOZj_PCMjlOxJpJX9n50q8M4gigv03IDB4fhWNC_Ff3qYTvG_Fj5rX3BLSAy-bmJjmF3k0vR8cXMONb5wChGRqxIjY69hpdT0aF29j7F6AdE1GNN7BTuCLQHnPn5SOol4yOZg/s1600/ranchingFT.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 113px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475251122512895298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1npaQncoOZj_PCMjlOxJpJX9n50q8M4gigv03IDB4fhWNC_Ff3qYTvG_Fj5rX3BLSAy-bmJjmF3k0vR8cXMONb5wChGRqxIjY69hpdT0aF29j7F6AdE1GNN7BTuCLQHnPn5SOol4yOZg/s400/ranchingFT.jpg" /></a><em><br />Students visit the Kalsta Ranch on the Big Hole River on a recent field trip.<br /></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzGkWZO5ZS4qwxd670db_5KTJTw7qEydEioP-xdI0si3aY5GWXw-LIDH0Us-t5dtcwLnGcTf52fN_hg3zkpbw_vMXMun5Al502mtjjAzi4jlmgOgKK5Nx1ELzQJRw_LQ-ypdrhZlG7tE/s1600/BonnerinButte.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475251016934502338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzGkWZO5ZS4qwxd670db_5KTJTw7qEydEioP-xdI0si3aY5GWXw-LIDH0Us-t5dtcwLnGcTf52fN_hg3zkpbw_vMXMun5Al502mtjjAzi4jlmgOgKK5Nx1ELzQJRw_LQ-ypdrhZlG7tE/s400/BonnerinButte.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Students from Bonner visit the Berkeley Pit as part of a field trip to Butte.</em><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqpaliLViINwUL-6eiFTNqwmciHoAZUDOvyq-nO6CyeyCEKOesEidTfKIZk9pSrx2tm_-JxRmmxJnFwzHqyxmapjjUbYNDs83ptcgznLnTf_1u1X1y_0sGWmBjc7joI3VlmMfZ7CufaU/s1600/AnacondaFTtoOpp.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475250903117036786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqpaliLViINwUL-6eiFTNqwmciHoAZUDOvyq-nO6CyeyCEKOesEidTfKIZk9pSrx2tm_-JxRmmxJnFwzHqyxmapjjUbYNDs83ptcgznLnTf_1u1X1y_0sGWmBjc7joI3VlmMfZ7CufaU/s400/AnacondaFTtoOpp.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Anaconda students visit the BP-Arco Waste Repository, formerly known as the Opportunity Ponds.</em><br /><br /></div></div>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-73819110018295412802010-05-25T10:39:00.005-06:002010-05-25T10:54:05.636-06:00NRDP Funds Proposed for New ProjectsThe State of Montana’s <a href="http://www.doj.mt.gov/lands/naturalresource/">Natural Resource Damages Program (NRDP)</a> administers Clark Fork restoration settlement funds through an annual grant process. Montana's governor makes the final funding decisions on grant projects. The UCFRB Remediation and Restoration Advisory Council advises the governor on the restoration process and funding. To date, NRDP has funded 91 projects that help make the basin's natural resources healthy and provide opportunities for the public to enjoy these resources. The NRDP has been a major funder of CFWEP.<br /><br />The following projects are proposed for funding in 2010, listed by applicant and project name, followed by a short project description and project costs requested from NRDP and other sources:<br /><ul><li>Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Anaconda System-wide Metering Project: Install water meters on all 2,642 un-metered water system connections over 2 years to achieve system-wide metering, conserve water supply, and replace lost groundwater resources.<br />NRDP funding: $3,622,708. Other funding: $253,961. </li><li>Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Anaconda Waterline – Year 9: Replace 12,200 feet of leaking waterline in Anaconda. This is the 9th year of continuing waterline replacement projects.<br />NRDP funding: $2,644,390. Other funding: $220,386. </li><li>Butte-Silver Bow, Big Hole River Pump Station Replacement Project: Replace the deteriorated Big Hole Pump Station, which is part of the Big Hole water system that supplies drinking water to Butte.<br />NRDP funding: $3,500,000. Other funding: $500,000. </li><li>Butte-Silver Bow, Big Hole Transmission Line – Year 4: Replace 20,000 feet of the leaking Big Hole Transmission Line, which supplies drinking water to Butte. This is the 4th year of a continuing waterline replacement project.<br />NRDP funding: $2,760,000. Other funding: $690,000. </li><li>Butte-Silver Bow, Butte Waterline – Year 10: Replace 13,000 feet of leaking waterline in Butte and install 500 meters in un-metered homes. This is the 10th year of a continuing waterline replacement project and the 2nd year of voluntary meter installations.<br />NRDP funding: $1,817,546. Other funding: $201,950. </li><li>Clark Fork Coalition, Racetrack Creek Flow Restoration Project: Secure the right to maintain and enhance in-stream flow for the benefit of the fishery resource of Racetrack Creek, a tributary of the Upper Clark Fork River.<br />NRDP funding: $500,000. Other funding: $515,000. </li><li>Deer Lodge Conservation District, 2010 Native Plant Materials: Continue to select and market superior-performing native plant materials well adapted to the conditions of mining-impacted areas in the UCFRB and provide certified seed and plants to commercial seed growers and conservation seedling nurseries (4 year project).<br />NRDP funding: $252,279. Other funding: $81,000. </li><li>East Ridge Foundation with U.S. Forest Service, Maud S Canyon Trails and Open Space Project: Increase recreational opportunities by conducting land acquisition, land reclamation, and trail development activities in Maud S Canyon east of Butte.<br />NRDP funding: $355,920. Other funding: $132,295. </li><li>Rocky Mountain Supercomputing Centers, Inc., Knowledge Resource Mining in the UCFRB: Develop a “tool” that will allow for immediate access to and analysis of the data collected in the UCFRB over the years by various entities using a GIS-user interface and provide links to the governing documents with that data.<br />NRDP funding: $376,160. Other funding: $66,815. </li><li>Skyline Sports and Butte-Silver Bow, Children’s Fishing Pond/Hillcrest Open Space Project: Develop a children’s fishing pond, repair the riparian and upland areas, create an outdoor educational component, and develop trails in the Hillcrest open space area east of<br />Butte.<br />NRDP funding: $1,566,998. Other funding: $770,136. </li><li>The University of Montana (Flathead Lake Biological Station and Montana Tech), Restoration, Nutrients, and Green River Bottoms: Initiate and conduct monitoring over 2 years to evaluate the relationships between nutrients, algae and macrophytes, and river processes that produce and consume oxygen along restored and unaltered portions of the Upper Clark Fork River.<br />NRDP funding: $268,367. Other funding: $73,826. </li><li>Watershed Restoration Coalition, 2010 Cottonwood Creek: Improve aquatic and riparian habitat in lower Cottonwood Creek by increasing in-stream flows, improving fish passage, and enhancing riparian habitat.<br />NRDP funding: $289,647. Other funding: $169,484. </li></ul><p>Additionally, there are currently two proposals for uses of NRDP funds outside of the normal grant process. The first is for the roughly $17 million purchase by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) of the 28,000 acre Spotted Dog Ranch near Deer Lodge. Funding for the proposed aquisition would come from the principal balance of the NRDP account, known as the Upper Clark Fork River Basin Restoration Fund. Under public ownership, the ranch would become a Wildlife Management Area. </p><p>Also being considered is a proposal to fund a new museum dedicted to mining, reclamation and culture in Butte. Estimates vary, but roughly $30-40 million dollars of the restoration principal is being considered for the museum. </p><p>Funded or not, these two proposals will have a significant impact on future management of Clark Fork restoration dollars. As of Oct. 1, 2009, the restoration fund had a balance of $170 million, with about $48 million of that cash already committed to approved grant projects but not yet spent. In other words, if funded, these two projects combined would spend out roughly a third of the restoration fund principal.</p>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-25035701350589347972010-05-25T10:18:00.003-06:002010-05-25T10:21:20.520-06:00Southwest Montana Science Partnership Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_-5_tOALZEdArXBh0QcPuz4Rb-gCvGskrVrLvHHzikGSdKOLbOfyhsdzeLlHlKwBrDsxivYXHIVsNe4yEVy4YYfdyF6Hy8HFQIO5kJvED884y4_HpUPzIRRlUdI3iNr8aUtySov31Vc/s1600/SMSP.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475243256549306866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_-5_tOALZEdArXBh0QcPuz4Rb-gCvGskrVrLvHHzikGSdKOLbOfyhsdzeLlHlKwBrDsxivYXHIVsNe4yEVy4YYfdyF6Hy8HFQIO5kJvED884y4_HpUPzIRRlUdI3iNr8aUtySov31Vc/s400/SMSP.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Above: Teachers in the SMSP learn about Montana landscapes with geologist Dick Gibson atop the Alice Hill in Walkerville.</em><br /><br />The Southwest Montana Science Partnership (SMSP) program welcomed our second Cohort of 3rd - 6th grade teachers in January. Teachers in Cohort II are rapidly moving through the SMSP modules, and have completed mapping, landforms and soils to date. Cohort I teachers completed a snow study module led by Dr. Delena Norris-Tull and a birds module led by Dr. Andrea Stierle. Both cohorts will be together this summer for a module on plants, flowers, and trees and a second module on aquatic macroinvertebrates. Additionally, CFWEP is working to make online SMSP modules available for free to all teachers via www.cfwep.org as they are completed by the SMSP participating teachers.<br /><div></div><br /><div>The SMSP project is funded by a ESEA, Title II Part B Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant through the Montana Office of Public Instruction.</div>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-35367641563816950862010-05-25T10:02:00.004-06:002010-05-25T10:18:30.611-06:00Bulltrout, The Blackfoot River & MilltownWhile the last sediments contaminated by historic mine waste were shipped by rail away from the former Milltown Dam site at the confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers near the end of 2009, much work remains to be done at the site. There are still roughly 4 million cubic yards of mining contaminated sediments left behind at the site. These additional contaminants were left because the removal of the dam and saturate sediments left them high and dry, where likelihood of them ever becoming entrained in the river or contaminating the groundwater is slim to nothing.<br /><br />An April 11 article in The Missoulian described the concerns of some local residents regarding the impact on native bull trout from work at the site. Concerns for bull trout stem from work on the piers that support the Interstate 90 overpass over the Blackfoot, just before it joins with the Clark Fork. The Clark Fork River is currently diverted into a side channel running near I-90 while crews continue reclamation and restoration of the natural stream channel. This situation has caused the Blackfoot, as it flows under I-90, to narrow, and water velocity speeds up as a result. Some Bonner residents are concerned that this will make it difficult for bull trout to navigate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdC5RlEQfnt4WqDTB_4OswID6N8Z4UYe1_EuIiiwEm-M0uc2WfebWhd5gU2vEzEnjVZE_kxLloSCNuhZELn3R3Q1hFYL285SLqtNGxNo5664wSVIzWuvLfSBsXJiGkTM7BcI4MitOwzU/s1600/IMG_0754.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475241462064555922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdC5RlEQfnt4WqDTB_4OswID6N8Z4UYe1_EuIiiwEm-M0uc2WfebWhd5gU2vEzEnjVZE_kxLloSCNuhZELn3R3Q1hFYL285SLqtNGxNo5664wSVIzWuvLfSBsXJiGkTM7BcI4MitOwzU/s400/IMG_0754.JPG" /></a><br /><em>Above: The diverted Clark Fork River now flows through an artificial channel near I-90 while crews continue to restore the historic floodplain and river channel.</em><br /><br />Bull trout were listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1998. The bulls are a sensitive species that do not tolerate high sediment levels in their spawning streams. Many Upper Clark Fork tributaries are considered spawning streams for bulls. The Fish and Wildlife Service is currently considering a proposal to increase the amount of land considered critical habitat for bull trout, noting that “Bull trout depend on cold, clear water and are excellent indicators of water quality. Protecting and restoring their habitat contributes to the water quality of rivers and lakes throughout the Northwest.”<br /><br />Pat Saffel, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) fisheries manager for the region, has said that no immediate action is necessary. Fish passage at the overpass is typically only an issue during short periods of high flow. When the water level comes back down, the fish can navigate the narrow, rapid channel. The EPA is currently reviewing the issue, and FWP is monitoring fish populations in the area to better understand the effects of the removal of the Milltown Dam.<br /><br />Short-term impacts related to the reclamation and restoration of the old reservoir site may harm fish, but the long-term effects of the dam removal are likely to be very beneficial to the fishery, outweighing the short-term negatives. More remedial and redevelopment work remain in the Milltown cleanup project, which is expected to end in 2011. Once all is said and done, the connectivity of the Clark Fork Basin will be greatly improved, giving native fish like the bull and cutthroat trout increased opportunities to find suitable habitat and spawning grounds in the numerous Upper Clark Fork tributary streams and creeks.Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-4868458795944131672010-05-25T09:57:00.005-06:002010-05-25T10:02:10.962-06:00Rolling Stones Fundraiser for theRiver Rat Fly Fishing & Conservation Camp<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgt7Is6twZI7OFUc-y2v1fEErQ1nSkSP9u8bkyof6RL1sVDn9YBcYHf5R-SJ9N7pDy0Bhi7zpSh-Pj_NhAClvtpI1d3sAojQqkTyB-1aSJVy08SZhaiSqCAIVGVykqO9-XxDRjRSK2awU/s1600/Tshirt1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 347px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475237873198788258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgt7Is6twZI7OFUc-y2v1fEErQ1nSkSP9u8bkyof6RL1sVDn9YBcYHf5R-SJ9N7pDy0Bhi7zpSh-Pj_NhAClvtpI1d3sAojQqkTyB-1aSJVy08SZhaiSqCAIVGVykqO9-XxDRjRSK2awU/s400/Tshirt1.jpg" /></a><br /><p>To raise funds for the summer 2010 River Rat Camp for area youth, we are selling "Rolling Stones" stonefly t-shirts for a $15.00 donation. CFWEP hats are also still available for a $20.00 donation. To order: </p><p>1. Use the "Donate Now" button at www.cfwep.org - any donation of $15.00 gets you a "Rolling Stones" t-shirt, and any donation of $20.00 or over gets you a CFWEP hat. Send an email to jringsak@mtech.edu. In the body of the message, indicate your preference (green, orange, light green, blue, offwhite, winter) for hats or size preference (M, L, XL, 2XL) for shirts. </p><p>2. You can also order by mail. Simply send your donation (checks should be made out to "Montana Tech Foundation" with "CFWEP" in the memo line) and color or size preference to: </p><p>CFWEP, Attn: Membership<br />Montana Tech - Outreach Dept<br />1300 W Park St<br />Butte, MT 59701 </p><p>Expect to receive your gift in the mail in a few days. We will see you on the river! </p>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-27657079065918658862010-05-25T09:51:00.003-06:002010-05-25T09:57:09.189-06:00Spring 2010 CFWEP AcknowledgmentsCFWEP would like to acknowledge the following new members, volunteers and contributors. Their support and assistance makes our work possible:<br />Kathryn Watson & the Montana Watercourse; Jenny Wilson; Janel Evans; Chris Doyle; Karen Gillespie; Dina Alibrahim; Joe Griffin (DEQ); Doug Martin (NRDP); Kathy Coleman (NRDP); Colleen Elliott (MBMG); Andrea & Don Stierle; Gary Swant; Samantha Sheble; Lisa Sullivan; Lori Shyba; Sandra McNair; Rick Larson, Jack Henry, Tawni Cleverly, Doug Sanderson, Nate Gelling & Butte-Silver Bow County; Marisa Pedulla; Michelle Anderson; Angela Smith & the Washoe Fish Hatchery; Jeanne Larson; Jeremy Weber; Theresa Rader; Montana Environmental Education Association; Marilyn and Bob Olson (Embroidery Plus); Digger Athletic Association; Montana Tech Foundation; George Goody (Montana Fly Company); Chris Bradley & Mike Marcum (The Stonefly Fly Shop); Bill Callaghan; Misty Cerise Cunningham; Chris Kellogg; Mike Bader; Kristina Smucker; Rich Prodgers (Bighorn Environmental); Tim Reilly (DEQ); Jeremey Whitlock; Carlton Nelson; Meriwether Ranch; Wallace J. Nichols (bluemarbles.org); Dick Berg and John Foley (MBMG/Mineral Museum); Almetek Industries; Marko Lucich (Butte Chamber); City of Deer Lodge and Powell County; Jason Smith (Grant Kohrs Ranch); Holiday Inn Express (Butte); George Grant TU; Keri Petritz; Beverly Plumb; Atlas Obscura; Ken Brockman (Bureau of Reclamation); Atlantic Richfield Corporation; Erik Kalsta and Jami Murdoch; Tucker Transportation; Debbie Kearns (The Hitchin’ Post in Melrose); Michelle Anderson; Ray Brandl; Chad Buck; Pat Cunneen (NRDP); Chris Gammons; Jim Gleason (TU); Doug Joppa; Raj Kasanath; Byron Mazurek; Abbie Philips; Sara Rouse; Christine Talley; Shane Talley; Karen Wesenberg-Ward; and all those who helped out with field trips, classroom activities, teacher workshops, and events in winter and spring 2010!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvX6V9naqv1kmhmt-OvKL-JTRlTufUSDTSOqTi3LovIPxvonIemfchYi4RJH2S3jobu0ovba6rMdNG7lW3TPYtawBfp-935fQdPtlACKIOqstkX4_kMvP48RSn83BK4ZPjmGon60qqtrI/s1600/OppBird.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 221px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475237009078777730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvX6V9naqv1kmhmt-OvKL-JTRlTufUSDTSOqTi3LovIPxvonIemfchYi4RJH2S3jobu0ovba6rMdNG7lW3TPYtawBfp-935fQdPtlACKIOqstkX4_kMvP48RSn83BK4ZPjmGon60qqtrI/s400/OppBird.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Above: A long-billed curlew flies over the BP-Arco Waste Repository, formerly the Opportunity Ponds, near Anaconda.</em>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-19316290133341414492010-03-08T15:10:00.030-07:002010-03-08T19:15:49.715-07:00The EPA Take a Look Back at the Last 5 Years of Butte-Area Clean-Up<span style="font-size:130%;">O</span>fficials from the Environmental Protection Agency and its consultants from CDM, are in the midst of a mandated Five-Year Review of Superfund sites stretching from the city of Butte down Silver Bow Creek as far as the Warm Springs Ponds. The review is a regular checkup on a Superfund site to ensure that clean-up decisions continue to protect people and the environment. Given the number of environmental issues at play in the Butte area, from capped mine dumps on the Butte Hill to signs of recontamination in Silver Bow Creek to the still-untouched West Side Soils area, the review committee will be busy. The review is expected to be completed by September 2010.<br /><br />In addition to talking with on-site workers and local officials, the review committee is also interviewing Butte citizens to get their take on how environmental clean-up efforts in the area have succeeded or fallen short. The Citizens Technical Environmental Committee (CTEC), Butte's EPA-funded and citizen-led community Technical Assistance Group, recently held two public meetings on February 24 and March 3 to provide the public with information about the Five-Year Review process, the status of Butte-area Superfund sites, and to collect comments from the public.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A</span>t the Feb. 24 meeting at the Butte Public Library, Dr. John Ray, a Montana Tech Liberal Studies Professor, discussed what is known as the Butte Priority Soils Superfund site, which includes the urban areas of Uptown Butte. Contamination a the site includes historic mine waste, mine tailings, and residential soils and dust related to the area's mining history. Contaminants of concern include heavy metals such as lead and mercury and other toxins such as arsenic.<br /><br />Ray was highly critical of EPA-led clean-up efforts in this area. Ray stated that the EPA decision to leave the "waste in place" by capping rather than removing mine waste has resulted in capped dumps that require ongoing maintenance to prevent the failure of the caps and the exposure of waste. Because of the urban nature of the area, exposed mine waste could potentially impact human health. According to Ray, the majority of mine dump caps have failed. Capping generally involves covering exposed mine waste with 18 inches of topsoil that is then seeded and monitored for erosion issues. Butte-Silver Bow county annually evaluates and repairs these caps, with the expenses paid by ARCO, the EPA mandated responsible party for the site.<br /><br />Ray also criticized the EPA decision to fence-off or otherwise restrict access to many environmentally damaged sites in the Uptown, preventing local residents from accessing such areas and being exposed to wastes. Ray particularly emphasized environmental justice as an important component of any Butte clean-up, noting that the majority of those living in the Superfund area fall below the poverty line or have below-average income. Ray noted that the EPA has a mandate to consider environmental justice. EPA personnel on hand at the meeting did not agree with Ray's assessment of environmental clean-up on the Butte Hill.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5thrZMVXrsuq7BDJeXAJhORPHhEoIK_Dj5ZPJ7Z3Ee1BVUr_LOk0j4VW8dVQE3Rfu68hQPc33QgtL1eo2VJRXHfCdr8NjhKayVSGyg_TXtcM9dp8AaQ-dDINe_z-iA3Tk_SF1K5NU_Q/s1600-h/BRES+166.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446412958351972370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5thrZMVXrsuq7BDJeXAJhORPHhEoIK_Dj5ZPJ7Z3Ee1BVUr_LOk0j4VW8dVQE3Rfu68hQPc33QgtL1eo2VJRXHfCdr8NjhKayVSGyg_TXtcM9dp8AaQ-dDINe_z-iA3Tk_SF1K5NU_Q/s400/BRES+166.jpg" /></a>(Photo above shows a capped Butte mine dump in the foreground as evaluators assess the site, and in the background uncapped mine dumps can be seen behind the fence of the Mountain Con mine yard.)<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A</span>t the same meeting, Ian MacGruder, a consultant from Kirk Environmental working with CTEC, delivered a presentation about the clean-up of Silver Bow Creek, the Warm Springs Ponds, and the Westside Soils, an area to the north and west of Uptown Butte that is listed as a Superfund site due to the presence of numerous mine dumps. No action has been taken at the Westside Soils site to date. EPA considered it a low-priority because no people live in the area, though it is popular for recreation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rKpjVZCP3Up-AbEZOUXLvZx2UowHbx70GpyCW_uhk4lfhRmpD6U24i2vpD4TumrbccSDv0rsUFSkAgbhKx7i8EX4UadWoOANO5WnRkb_uBOEA3Pv4jFqLz-13MRe9FAITrkrz02oE1M/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446411855964500434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rKpjVZCP3Up-AbEZOUXLvZx2UowHbx70GpyCW_uhk4lfhRmpD6U24i2vpD4TumrbccSDv0rsUFSkAgbhKx7i8EX4UadWoOANO5WnRkb_uBOEA3Pv4jFqLz-13MRe9FAITrkrz02oE1M/s400/5.jpg" /></a>MacGruder discussed the success of the Silver Bow Creek restoration, which was led by the State Department of Environmental Quality in conjunction with EPA. That project has been largely successful in removing historic mine wastes from the creek bed and floodplain. The ecosystem seems to be on the road to recovery, and brook, rainbow and native west slope cutthroat trout have been reported during Fish, Wildlife and Parks annual electrofish monitoring of the once-decimated creek. Restoration of the creek is still ongoing in the Anaconda and Durant Canyon areas. (Photo above shows historic tailings deposits on Silver Bow Creek. This site, near Miles Crossing and Durant Canyon, has since been restored; the tailings pictured here now reside in the Opportunity Ponds, aka BP-ARCO Waste Repository.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM6plfQlyiSeoV1vgKHL20T0cn7oc8I42brumRg3RCYPnERbOukb4itDP0qLLqDs9Q00wuHrKNcyofB6-XpNqF86IDhpiR9-cAoYau6JS-Sr6rFRpZfi1k5Y6sluSO1HIP4ZS_JWDkS8/s1600-h/Aerial.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446412247003738018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKM6plfQlyiSeoV1vgKHL20T0cn7oc8I42brumRg3RCYPnERbOukb4itDP0qLLqDs9Q00wuHrKNcyofB6-XpNqF86IDhpiR9-cAoYau6JS-Sr6rFRpZfi1k5Y6sluSO1HIP4ZS_JWDkS8/s400/Aerial.jpg" /></a>Removed Silver Bow Creek wastes are transferred by rail to the Opportunity Ponds, also known as the BP-Arco Waste Repository. The Repository, a former tailings pond for the Anaconda Reduction Works and Washoe Smelter, already holds millions of tons of historic wastes, and wastes removed from Silver Bow Creek and the Milltown site near Missoula have been transferred there, increasing the total volume of waste at the site by a few percent. (Photo above shows an aerial view of the Opportunity Ponds site, which is roughly 5 square miles. In some places, mine wastes are 40+ feet deep. The yellow color comes from the tailings themselves; they are toxic to vegetation, so few plants grow, although revegetation efforts are ongoing at the site.)<br /><br />Recent data has shown that some contaminants from the Butte Hill in the form of sediments are reaching the restored Silver Bow Creek. It is likely that additional action on the Butte Hill and continued monitoring and management of contaminated Butte groundwater will alleviate this recontamination in the future. For the time being, contaminants mainly flush down the restored reach of the creek to the Warm Springs Ponds.<br /><br />The Warm Springs Ponds, another former Anaconda Company waste management site, were created to capture contaminants from Silver Bow Creek, preventing them from reaching the Clark Fork River. The site has been extremely successful in that regard, and has also become an excellent habitat for waterfowl and abnormally large trout. Future plans for the management of the Warm Springs Ponds, however, are somewhat murky. There is also a lingering arsenic issue at the ponds; lime is added to Silver Bow Creek water to cause metals present in the water to settle out in the ponds by reducing the acidity of the water. This reduction in acidity has the unfortunate side effect of mobilizing arsenic, and data indicates that arsenic levels flowing out of the ponds into the Clark Fork River are higher than expected. As long as no one drinks from the Clark Fork, this should have little effect on human health, although the arsenic issue will have to be addressed in the future.<br /><br />EPA Remedial Project Manager Roger Hoogerheide responded to the presentations by noting that, while in the past the Five-Year Review process has been something of a rubber-stamp formality, the current EPA administration has instructed agency personnel to treat the Five-Year Review seriously and thoroughly as a means to improve ongoing clean-up efforts.<br /><br />When asked about the relative scarcity of discussions of the Five-Year Review in local media, Hoogerheide agreed that there was more the EPA could do to inform and involve the community. The ongoing citizen interviews are a large part of the EPA's increased public relations efforts on this Five-Year Review.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">T</span>he Mar. 3 meeting at the Butte Chamber Visitors Center featured the same presentations, although for this meeting the Silver Bow Creek/Warm Springs Ponds presentation was delivered by Montana Tech Society and Technology Professor Pat Munday. The community discussion was somewhat more lively at this meeting. Most citizens present expressing frustration with the pace of Butte-area clean-up and the difficulty in finding answers to Superfund-related questions and in participating in area Superfund-related programs like the Multi-Pathway Residential Metals Abatement Program Plan. That program is designed to mitigate potentially harmful exposure of residents to sources of lead, arsenic, and mercury contamination. EPA personnel at the meeting again expressed a renewed commitment to public outreach to ensure that local residents are connected to and informed about ongoing clean-up efforts.<br /><br />Local citizens are encouraged to comment on the clean-up of the Butte environment. Written comments can be mailed to:<br />Roger Hoogerheide<br />Remedial Project Manager EPA Montana Office<br />10 W. 15th St.<br />Helena, MT 59626<br /><br />For more information on the Five-Year Review, call Wendy Thomi, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, toll free at 1-866-457-2690<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad-lQnD7KRJalqoL59dfAolV7lNVKaplw5ojUMqfH_gSuOe7R_guk5DJqN45vKP7gS9ENL6ffnAkaMyyugqD2L-F09ad7G1EQJTmSTxd7ME9QIaWYI3jde6a1slz__hbhkY7Jc0OmGdw/s1600-h/view_of_buttes_east_side_and_neversweat_mine_butte_montana.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 366px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446413599730303506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad-lQnD7KRJalqoL59dfAolV7lNVKaplw5ojUMqfH_gSuOe7R_guk5DJqN45vKP7gS9ENL6ffnAkaMyyugqD2L-F09ad7G1EQJTmSTxd7ME9QIaWYI3jde6a1slz__hbhkY7Jc0OmGdw/s400/view_of_buttes_east_side_and_neversweat_mine_butte_montana.jpg" /></a>(Photo above shows historic mining and smelting in the city of Butte, which accounts for the contamination we see and manage today.)Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-52698927373576045082010-02-23T16:07:00.008-07:002010-02-23T16:19:08.107-07:00Milltown, Montana: Film Creates a Cultural Portrait of Western Montana<span style="font-size:180%;">I</span>f a picture is worth a thousand words, a moving picture must be worth considerably more. Judging by his latest work, I believe Rainer Komers must have taken that old adage to heart. His film <em>Milltown, Montana</em> takes the motion picture genre on a journey of “poetic minimalism”. What this meant became clear to me when I spoke with Rainer prior to the screening, and he mentioned that the film had no dialogue and no score. Considering my minimal exposure to "avant-garde" film, I couldn't help but be skeptical. The screening at Montana Tech attracted an audience of about 50 people, quite a few more than I was expecting.<br /><br />What I noticed as I watched the film is how little I missed the traditional narration and accompanying soundtrack. Komers captures these “acoustic soundscapes” to go along with the visuals, which are greatly enhanced by his considerable acumen behind the camera thanks to his years of experience as a cinematographer. The sounds are vivid enough to capture your attention, with an abstract musicality that can be hypnotizing at times.<br /><br />I found that the absence of a narrator allowed the viewer to become an impartial observer, free to draw their own conclusions as to the meaning of what they were seeing. Some of the sights I recognized throughout the film were shots of the M&M sign, The Legion Oasis, the Clark Fork Watershed, the State Prison and various snapshots of everyday life in the region. There was a billiards scene in the Legion that garnered quite a few laughs, an injection of humor I wasn't quite expecting.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64PLlg-xBDZL-bLvdsS9LFKjzEEixWna3FOzrkx5gehcRgWsnS8-bgqy5nhbSrDF5FvlFWMJe0dTy-Hq5FspqXjrZ9sejxlULoS9360ULBp-sTWkpScjp5KusqkRZqNJ05-k4qcU5ru4/s1600-h/milltownMontana_img_11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 250px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441582159978583874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64PLlg-xBDZL-bLvdsS9LFKjzEEixWna3FOzrkx5gehcRgWsnS8-bgqy5nhbSrDF5FvlFWMJe0dTy-Hq5FspqXjrZ9sejxlULoS9360ULBp-sTWkpScjp5KusqkRZqNJ05-k4qcU5ru4/s400/milltownMontana_img_11.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span>n <a href="http://missoulian.com/entertainment/movies/article_90126d36-1785-11df-8ece-001cc4c002e0.html">another review of the film in the Missoulian</a>, the author seemed very upset that the film did not tell the story of Milltown in particular. As Komers explained to the audience during the Q&A session, the title is meant to be generic, to describe any region that has been through the growing pains of the industrial age. He explained this by relating a tale of coal mining in his native Germany, where the towns have similar problems with pollution and mining. My personal interpretation was that the film seemed like it was intended to be a snapshot in time, a cultural portrait with minimal bias. The film was only 30 minutes long, but managed to capture the essence of many aspects of life in Montana in that short time.<br /><br />The region around Butte has the distinct privilege of having two films made about it in a short period of time. <em>Milltown, Montana</em> may not have the historical scope of the much acclaimed <em>Butte, America</em>, but it offers a more intimate portrayal of everyday life in post-industrial Montana. The two films compliment each other, one telling the story of the past, the other showing how residents deal with the repercussions of that past, from an outsiders perspective. Komers has a talent for being the outside observer, presenting a way of life without the usual editorial spin. I would consider Montana lucky to be included in his impressive body of work.<br /><br />For a complete listing of Komers film work, visit: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0464624/">http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0464624/</a><br /><br />-Guest Blog by Aaron Briggs<br />Montana Tech Professional & Technical Communications StudentJustin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-64731818359984973952010-02-22T15:05:00.015-07:002010-02-23T09:57:57.661-07:00U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Examines Bull Trout Habitat<span style="font-size:180%;">T</span>he bull trout is one of Montana’s most unique fish. They can grow to over three feet and can weigh over 20 pounds, and depend on cold, clear water. Bull trout are excellent indicators of water quality, and are often considered an “umbrella” species. That is, if water quality is healthy enough for bull trout, it is likely healthy enough for most other, less-sensitive aquatic species native to Montana. Their sensitivity to adverse water conditions, coupled with the competition posed by non-native fish such as the brook trout, have caused bull trout numbers to slowly decline across the northwest, and they were listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1998.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp069wU1bNsxHzacwiZMY9M7X9IbHERmDhSG0I35ycJ3G8kM4i9hBv1AO_iXQhzKBX2rHW1NTyJxeJICr2UIAjLpF5-rLYjjOFRHbpu4qA4DiNOsE13BdOCLDpw_MAxS_dQUWyUws7LW0/s1600-h/bull%2520trout.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441193558353771298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp069wU1bNsxHzacwiZMY9M7X9IbHERmDhSG0I35ycJ3G8kM4i9hBv1AO_iXQhzKBX2rHW1NTyJxeJICr2UIAjLpF5-rLYjjOFRHbpu4qA4DiNOsE13BdOCLDpw_MAxS_dQUWyUws7LW0/s400/bull%2520trout.jpg" /></a><br />On January 13, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to revise its 2005 designation of critical habitat for the bull trout. Under the ESA, critical habitat identifies geographic areas essential for the conservation of a listed species. Critical habitat designations provide extra regulatory protection to areas that may require special management considerations, and the habitats are then prioritized for recovery actions. The critical habitat designation does not affect land ownership, does not allow government or public access to private lands, and does not impose restrictions on non-federal lands unless federal funds, permits or activities are involved. However, it alerts landowners that these areas are important to the recovery of the species. In the Clark Fork Basin, as restoration continues on mining-impacted ecosystems, maintaining quality bull trout habitat can be seen as a final hurdle; if bull trout return to some of the historically damaged areas of the Clark Fork watershed, then we can safely assume that restoration efforts are succeeding.<br /><br />In total, the Service proposes to designate approximately 22,679 miles of streams and 533,426 acres of lakes and reservoirs in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Nevada as critical habitat for the wide-ranging bull trout. The proposed revision comes after extensive review of earlier critical habitat proposals and public comments. The Service voluntarily embarked on this re-examination to ensure that the best science was used to identify the features and areas essential to the conservation of the species.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">I</span>n Montana, additional bull trout critical habitat is proposed for the Kootenai, Clark Fork and St. Mary River Basins. Under the 2010 proposal, most tributaries of the Blackfoot River, Flint Creek and the Clark Fork River would be considered critical bull trout habitat. Most of the Blackfoot, as well as sections of Flint Creek and the Clark Fork, were previously designated as critical bull trout habitat in 2005.<br /><br />The Clark Fork and Flathead watersheds were historically important to bull trout prior to the heavy impacts caused by human developments such as hydroelectric dams, other manmade barriers, and historic mining. Today, those river systems are being reconnected through dam removal (Milltown Dam), improved fish passage (Cabinet Gorge, Noxon Rapids, Thompson Falls), and improved habitat (Clark Fork restoration projects). The Clark Fork River is particularly important, as it provides a migratory corridor for bull trout from Lake Pend Oreille and the lower river to access the Blackfoot, Rock Creek, and potentially Flint and Warm Springs Creeks, where significant populations of bull trout remain.<br /><br />To do our part to help bull trout recover, anyone fishing in western Montana should repeat the mantra: No Black, Put It Back! Bull trout are most easily distinguished from other Montana trout by their top fin; unlike other trout, the bull trout have no black spots on their top fin. They are also characterized by a slightly forked tail and pale yellow, orange and red spots on the body. As a threatened species, bull trout should be released immediately if caught. To assist in identifying Montana trout, CFWEP, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, the Sierra Club, and the University of Montana distribute free pocket fish ID guides. <a href="mailto:jringsak@mtech.edu">Contact CFWEP</a> for your free guide before heading out on the river.<br /><br />The Service will accept public comments on the proposed critical habitat until March 15, 2010. For information on how to submit a public comment, and for more on the proposed critical habitat designation, visit <a href="http://www.fws.gov/pacific/bulltrout">www.fws.gov/pacific/bulltrout</a>. For a direct link to a map comparing existing bull trout critical habitat with proposed 2010 habitat, <a href="http://www.fws.gov/pacific/bulltrout/pdf/20102005%20comparison.pdf">click here</a>. You can learn more about bull trout in Montana at the <a href="http://fieldguide.mt.gov/detail_AFCHA05020.aspx">Montana Field Guide from mt.gov</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://fieldguide.mt.gov/RangeMaps/RangeMap_AFCHA05020.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 326px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 151px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://fieldguide.mt.gov/RangeMaps/RangeMap_AFCHA05020.jpg" /></a><br />The above map shows bull trout range in Montana.<br /><a href="http://fieldguide.mt.gov/RangeMaps/GenObsMap_AFCHA05020_FS.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://fieldguide.mt.gov/RangeMaps/GenObsMap_AFCHA05020_FS.jpg" /></a><br />The above map shows bull trout density in Montana.Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-6307695072981981862010-02-10T09:41:00.004-07:002010-02-10T09:49:25.943-07:00Volunteers Needed for 2010 Spring Field SeasonCFWEP is seeking volunteers for spring field trips running from March 2 through June 1, 2010. Volunteers provide support on field trips with middle and high school students and teachers. Volunteering requires no previous experience (CFWEP will provide field science training), it is a great way to learn about the Montana outdoors and the restoration of the Clark Fork Basin, and you will be helping future generations to become stewards of western Montana's amazing environment.<br /><br />For a complete list of spring volunteer opportunities, <a href="http://www.cfwep.org/download/Spring2010FieldSchedule.xls">click here to view the full schedule </a>(MS Excel format). To register as a volunteer, or to learn more, contact CFWEP Field Coordinator Dr. Arlene Alvarado at <a href="mailto:aalvarado@mtech.edu">aalvarado@mtech.edu</a> or call (406) 496-4862.Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-56426955328008832312009-12-03T14:28:00.000-07:002009-12-03T14:29:38.115-07:00CFWEP Dives into 4-H Fun Day in Deer Lodge<span style="font-size:130%;">O</span>n Thursday, October 15, over 60 students from seven Montana counties convened at Powell County High School in Deer Lodge for the annual 4-H Fun Day, and Lorna McIntyre and Matt Vincent were on hand to bring kids face-to-face with some of Montana’s water bugs. The Fun Day also offered classes on Hemp Necklaces, Dutch Oven Cooking, Let’s Look for Birds, Gold Panning, and No Bake Treats.<br /><br />At the CFWEP class, kids of varying ages collected water bugs from Cottonwood Creek, a tributary of the Clark Fork River that flows into Deer Lodge from the Flint Mountains. Matt chatted with the kids about how scientists use aquatic insects as an indicator of stream health. After that, students put on rubber boots and headed to the creek to explore the different sampling methods used to collect the “macroinvertebrates”, or macros, as they are known is scientific circles.<br /><br />The students’ ability to notice differences in macro morphology, or physical appearance, is the first step in understanding biological diversity. They identified many different types of aquatic macroinvertebrates, such as mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies and even planaria, a type of flatworm that can be tricky to properly identify.<br /><br />The kids came away with a better understanding of the concept of biological diversity, and they had a blast finding and categorizing some of Montana’s smaller wildlife.<br /><br />-Lorna McIntyreJustin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-12187883769810042522009-11-24T10:58:00.003-07:002009-11-24T11:08:33.392-07:00Big Day on the Big Hole River<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0sX3VLuO3srmueg_H9_uf2gLg6Pa-r_P3kp2rfrBOPUeGdaJlc6VRzgZqwkw5xUgErLNIeE6lO9acbZ4a_eoqE8uH_Q097VQyBzG27vzLhpT-WzZtqQ-Iz0A0MN0ROtaJZC1JlOGiDU/s1600/IMG_0445.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407733313412695570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0sX3VLuO3srmueg_H9_uf2gLg6Pa-r_P3kp2rfrBOPUeGdaJlc6VRzgZqwkw5xUgErLNIeE6lO9acbZ4a_eoqE8uH_Q097VQyBzG27vzLhpT-WzZtqQ-Iz0A0MN0ROtaJZC1JlOGiDU/s400/IMG_0445.jpg" /></a> <em>Photo Above: Dr. Michelle Anderson helps students use scientific tests to assess the water quality of the Big Hole River.</em><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">O</span>n Wednesday, October 21, 2009, the Big Hole Watershed had its first Big Hole River Youth Field Day. Jami Murdoch, the Big Hole River Foundation’s Outreach Coordinator, and CFWEP co-organized the event, introducing the students of the Big Hole Valley to water education by sharing hands-on, place-based, scientific knowledge of their watershed.<br /><br />Throughout the day, students traveled through six stations. Each station’s focus had a direct connection to the Big Hole. In “A River Runs Through It”, students took a hand in mapping their watershed as they explored the run of the Big Hole River and its tributaries.<br /><br />At “The Grass Isn’t Always Greener”, students learned the importance of a diverse plant community and the effect of noxious weed to the watershed. “What is ‘High Quality H2O’?” found students, assisted by Dr. Michelle Anderson from UM-Western, performing sophisticated scientific tests on water samples from the river to determine what water quality parameters are necessary for a healthy river.<br /><br />At “A Bug’s World”, students interacted with aquatic insects to learn the importance of the variety of stream bugs in the river. The station also tied into the Big Hole River’s salmonfly hatch that draws anglers from around the globe, an important source of money for the local economy.<br /><br />“Something Fishy” focused on the different fish of the Big Hole, particularly the fluvial, or river-dwelling, arctic grayling, whose numbers have dwindled in recent decades. Finally, at the charmingly titled “I Eat, Therefore I Puke”, Dr. Amy Kuenzi from Montana Tech helped students investigate one of the Big Hole’s avian residents, the owl, and its need for mature cottonwood forest to provide habitat for the critters it eats.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-568nIaErRx3AukwSYwucgvBfM2K9NEIASDlAoIcQ98kdxUdErp9d7swpGY4pdVLq6Q8aVegEpwwAmLFR1SlKgJPCJekSQWrQOuhKAXLFIj0RJu7nU0ZLuo6UsDe2JGWkeOB-oDTFyd0/s1600/IMG_0135.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407733178613111410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-568nIaErRx3AukwSYwucgvBfM2K9NEIASDlAoIcQ98kdxUdErp9d7swpGY4pdVLq6Q8aVegEpwwAmLFR1SlKgJPCJekSQWrQOuhKAXLFIj0RJu7nU0ZLuo6UsDe2JGWkeOB-oDTFyd0/s400/IMG_0135.jpg" /></a><em>Photo Above: Students learn about the types of food on the menu for owls with assistance from Dr. Amy Kuenzi.</em><br /><br />The Big Hole Youth Field Day was only possible thanks to the immense support of a dedicated group of volunteers from around western Montana. A special thanks goes out to Insty Prints of Butte, who gave us a sweet deal on the Big Hole River Watershed Passports used for this event.<br /><br />-Lorna McIntyre </div>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-22184423952290972632009-11-23T12:51:00.005-07:002009-11-23T13:03:19.206-07:00Mining the Highlands<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSQIWgVVOh1Qfoa1Qwi6oKor5CjF3Q_EddxoObcFSrtZnO3XcIoXQ-XdL57sq73YqvqS0OGyoOmd3_i25i0cQlnu_GcaU6eJW9lPEVOX5QISpgMpFLgnDSgvCEPGg-AAlUsqhPp2XhK4/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407391429043034594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSQIWgVVOh1Qfoa1Qwi6oKor5CjF3Q_EddxoObcFSrtZnO3XcIoXQ-XdL57sq73YqvqS0OGyoOmd3_i25i0cQlnu_GcaU6eJW9lPEVOX5QISpgMpFLgnDSgvCEPGg-AAlUsqhPp2XhK4/s400/010.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">W</span>hile Montana’s wide-open mountain vistas, relatively undisturbed wildlife habitat and peaceful, windy quietude have risen among the top of the state’s golden treasures, there is still plenty of interest in the kind of gold currently fetching over $1,000 per ounce on the worldwide metals market. Just 15 miles south of Butte in the heart of the Highlands Mountains, Timberline Resources is making way for a new, 750,000+ ounce underground gold mine. The Idaho-based newcomer to the mining industry began laying the groundwork in August for what the corporation hopes to be a 10-year project that could employ up to 100 workers. Timberline stock (TLR) began trading on the NYSE back in May and has sold just shy of 36 million shares of its 44.5 million cap, trading most recently at $1.24.<br /><br />So how does a mine that could employ 100 people and that has sold over 35 million shares on Wall Street go relatively unheard of in a mining community of 30,000 people just miles away? Timberline began working in August and has been progressively forging ahead ever since under an amended exploration permit and a small mine exemption, both granted by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s Hard Rock Mining division. Neither of these processes require an official public comment period or a full-scale environmental impact study. Timberline presented the project to the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners in May and most recently in October at the National Summit of Mining Communities in Butte. </div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqQTx5TO7ZM-qNMNS2j1Y4b4GduovYlpqzCUf9OMqCyOJjU1T-Q40lBosG4SqCDPMEYLSFtV7-JKt1yxbXK5kTdZTYwEkHW8fxgQw6hlSYtTXJERHLHTgBJcnaUUB-7DT5OlB9hk7-lI/s1600/007-9-panorama.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 110px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407391759689154866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilqQTx5TO7ZM-qNMNS2j1Y4b4GduovYlpqzCUf9OMqCyOJjU1T-Q40lBosG4SqCDPMEYLSFtV7-JKt1yxbXK5kTdZTYwEkHW8fxgQw6hlSYtTXJERHLHTgBJcnaUUB-7DT5OlB9hk7-lI/s400/007-9-panorama.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br />This project has a lot of costs and benefits for The Mining City and the surrounding areas that will need to be weighed by our citizens prior to the commencement of full-scale operation, as awakening community awareness has just recently begun to pique public interest. According to Timberline’s website (<a href="http://www.timberline-resources.com/">http://www.timberline-resources.com/</a>) the mine properties consist of approximately 1,100 privately-owned acres situated along the Continental Divide at the headwaters of Basin (Upper Clark Fork Watershed/Butte drinking water supply), Fish (Jefferson River Watershed) and Moose (Big Hole River Watershed) Creeks. Under the current exploration and small mine development permits, approximately 50 acres will be disturbed at the site, over one-mile of underground tunnel dug and a 10,000 ton “bulk sample” collected over the next year. The ore is approximately 0.27 ounces of gold per ton. For more information, visit the Timberline Resources website above, or contact Robert Crohnholm with the DEQ at (406) 444-4330. </div><br />-Matt VincentJustin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-63193874718117039682009-11-13T14:49:00.005-07:002009-11-13T14:56:05.914-07:00Southwest Montana Science Partnership Going Strong<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UNeLDe6RATgTW7PUdZ1H6kFcWt9p9VnbqUP1xFwWGK3HeNxTjLiNpz-q1QioQGSKqtl3Pr88ODOFdH8I_giCGPsBG5FBghXJV3sYVDanLcP9fmWNBKg-GHyCJdzO9cpGBNnGbso0hk4/s1600-h/IMG_0038.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403709532399541074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UNeLDe6RATgTW7PUdZ1H6kFcWt9p9VnbqUP1xFwWGK3HeNxTjLiNpz-q1QioQGSKqtl3Pr88ODOFdH8I_giCGPsBG5FBghXJV3sYVDanLcP9fmWNBKg-GHyCJdzO9cpGBNnGbso0hk4/s400/IMG_0038.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Photo Above: Teachers investigate acid drainage at the former Calliope Mine site. The orange-red color of the water at the site is due to a high iron content. When exposed to water, the mine waste at the site renders the water acidic due to a high sulfur content. The acidic water then dissolves metals present in wastes.</em><br /><br /><div>The Southwest Montana Science Partnership (SMSP) project partners are pleased to announce the addition of Dr. John Graves to our leadership team. Dr. Graves currently leads the Montana State University Science Education Masters’ Program, and Dr. Graves has over thirty years of middle school teaching experience. He brings a strong focus on inquiry pedagogy skills as well as a keen ability to help teachers and faculty connect online through meaningful and engaging discussions.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNOfCHvdzOR3A3BBKXdZEnCiATD-nJT8bHbUjD8t89hzIiHgdSOaygYg0f9XbjYph0cEVyA9MPkXfHtdwdg7EXyFv1lqBjwtaYEj_WGs69HlmsZCED6vx_KHlQnDnrxSOa2htmbkbHmk/s1600-h/IMG_0005.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403709229459682226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNOfCHvdzOR3A3BBKXdZEnCiATD-nJT8bHbUjD8t89hzIiHgdSOaygYg0f9XbjYph0cEVyA9MPkXfHtdwdg7EXyFv1lqBjwtaYEj_WGs69HlmsZCED6vx_KHlQnDnrxSOa2htmbkbHmk/s400/IMG_0005.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Photo Above: SMSP teachers look on while Dr. David Hobbs from Montana Tech demonstrates the conductive properties of water.</em><br /><br />The first cohort of teachers, who started SMSP courses in January 2009, is rolling right along. Teachers completed a water workshop in September and learned about the unique properties of water and how to monitor local streams. At the workshop, teachers explored two sites for field study, one highly impacted by mine waste water and the other impacted by a sewage treatment facility. The teachers discovered that watersheds can be impacted in many different ways and were quite excited to start exploring water near their area schools. Teachers were given World Water Monitoring kits to use with their students back at their schools, which was greatly appreciated, as school budgets are frequently too tight to afford testing equipment. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelhufuDgNDTmyMUaeHbcPQFT9oReP3dm_-W0nY4n_PPWnRyQw52IHctyjRe8uB0BUNRYHXLtfcqKE310aVktbx_RS0RDN-k7OKSUX3jsrXC8fonD96KTbCNJ9rjGMt7EGaepfz_3Hwc0/s1600-h/IMG_0044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjelhufuDgNDTmyMUaeHbcPQFT9oReP3dm_-W0nY4n_PPWnRyQw52IHctyjRe8uB0BUNRYHXLtfcqKE310aVktbx_RS0RDN-k7OKSUX3jsrXC8fonD96KTbCNJ9rjGMt7EGaepfz_3Hwc0/s400/IMG_0044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403709932498139634" /></a><br /><em>Photo Above: Science is not without its hazards. A misstep caused one SMSP teacher to slip in swampy mine waste up above her knee. No need to worry- a one-time exposure such as this is unlikely to cause any ill effects. Mining contamination is generally only harmful to human health after long-term, chronic exposure.</em><br /><br />The teachers and their students will upload their site monitoring data into the World Water Monitoring database to be shared with teachers and students around the world.<br /><br />The second cohort of thirty teachers will begin their study in January 2010 with the field mapping module. In addition, principals from our partner schools will be invited to attend the Principal’s/Leadership workshop in February. The addition of thirty teachers in cohort II and all participating principals will bring the total number of SMSP participants to over seventy. The project partners will be very busy indeed!<br /><br />The SMSP project is funded by a ESEA, Title II Part B Mathematics and Science Partnership Grant through the Montana Office of Public Instruction.<br /><br />-Rayelynn Connole, CFWEP Curriculum Coordinator</div>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-15133520710170921062009-11-12T10:27:00.007-07:002009-11-12T10:36:50.719-07:00Catching Up with EcoDaredevil Award Winner Kathleen Kennedy<em>Kathleen Kennedy is one of two 2009 winners of the EcoDaredevil award, which honors those who are taking risks to promote conservation and environmental sustainability. Kathleen, a Missoula high school biology teacher, was admonished by her own school board for showing "The Story of Stuff," a popular film about the environmental costs of rampant consumerism, but Kathleen persisted. Kathleen took time away from her busy teaching schedule to provide the following update on life since receiving the EcoDaredevil award in September.</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorl55SRciIbaVxo-USNZUTTqTvkWSel43Rj-S9NN82PQUB161fO_LEZcWi_q9a_TWgXp5vcSkc-yJR2lt-Z-dnrF3ch0j0r1pIQPEtHClfS42w59Lr4e7Jy2WBLo-J-HF08Mzc2ueRVQ/s1600-h/image001-forprint.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403270732819730978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorl55SRciIbaVxo-USNZUTTqTvkWSel43Rj-S9NN82PQUB161fO_LEZcWi_q9a_TWgXp5vcSkc-yJR2lt-Z-dnrF3ch0j0r1pIQPEtHClfS42w59Lr4e7Jy2WBLo-J-HF08Mzc2ueRVQ/s400/image001-forprint.jpg" /></a><em>Photo above: Kathleen's EcoDaredevil award helmet, complete with a signature from singer Eddie Vedder.</em><br /><br />Receiving an EcoDaredevil award has been a really fun and inspiring experience. Thinking about Evel Knievel trying stunts and then dusting himself off and trying again when things didn’t go as planned reminds me of the resilience that I have had to bring forth since my ordeal began. Comparing myself to Evel of course also makes me laugh—something I didn’t do much last year!<br /><br />The award has given me a light-hearted way to discuss controversy and polarization with my students. Ironically, the controversy about the Story of Stuff as an educational video reached a new level just shortly after the EcoDaredevil awards ceremony. After being informed by one of his “watchdogs”, Glenn Beck of Fox News discussed the film and its use in classrooms on his program and incited his viewers to complain to their school boards. The Story of Stuff blog was filled with outrageous reactions. Having Glenn Beck challenge the Story of Stuff is yet another validation of the film’s important message and renews my resolve to ensure that students are given opportunities for critical thinking in my classroom.<br /><br />On a funny note, I brought my EcoDaredevil helmet with me to Pearl Jam’s concert near Portland, OR in September with the plan to have the band’s bassist, Montana native Jeff Ament, with whom I had shared my story, sign it. To my surprise the entire band signed the helmet. I got to have a nice chat with Jeff before the show that included me giving him his own EcoDaredevil sticker! Interestingly, Eddie Vedder signed “with Love & Respect” and drew a picture of a wave, which makes me wonder if he is aware of the Great Turning (visit <a href="http://www.thegreatturning.net/">http://www.thegreatturning.net/</a> for more info).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9hvEb_Ri1om72emqNHO8GWuKeUPPsZRFvXe849w6dsk5Yr9zteI2LoWZgiiabszcCbTl6CL_oNHVz0w2QBHKjRA2XcKZZtz5ybXKapxVPze5CeM4PUnB_xMk9Ndq5mg22O62YPrPboc/s1600-h/image003-forprint.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403271167982872834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9hvEb_Ri1om72emqNHO8GWuKeUPPsZRFvXe849w6dsk5Yr9zteI2LoWZgiiabszcCbTl6CL_oNHVz0w2QBHKjRA2XcKZZtz5ybXKapxVPze5CeM4PUnB_xMk9Ndq5mg22O62YPrPboc/s400/image003-forprint.jpg" /></a><em>Photo above: Kathleen with Pearl Jam bassist and Montana native Jeff Ament, an EcoDaredevil supporter.</em><br /><br />My school year is going really well so far and I think this award allowed me to put things in perspective and go forth! Thanks for recognizing the role that educators have in helping us jump the chasm to sustainability.<br /><br />For more information on the EcoDaredevil award, visit <a href="http://ecodaredevil.blogspot.com/">ecodaredevil.blogspot.com</a>. For more on the Story of Stuff, visit <a href="http://www.storyofstuff.com/">http://www.storyofstuff.com/</a>.<br /><br />-Kathleen KennedyJustin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-1573068113007074302009-11-09T11:54:00.006-07:002009-11-09T19:09:12.694-07:00CFWEP's Fall Season Wrap-UpHi there!<br />My name is Marisol and this is my first of hopefully many contributions to this blog. I graduated in May of 2009 from Binghamton University in NY with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies. I am taking some time off to work, be an americorps volunteer, and to hopefully get a better feel for what I would like to pursue in graduate school. I am very excited to be a part of CFWEP and I look forward to meeting everyone else who is also involved with the organization. I had a lot of fun and learned SO much during the fall season. Below is the wrap-up that I wrote for the CFWEP newsletter. Hope you enjoy it!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IjN_9PJlJfaYNUQlH3PPpMmw9gCqmGiZtSOLcgVKQajTrb69r0qlC_pOqVD37sf2rTDhVQR-GpGTFIjAig2jlORqWezNBIAdywvcCGMN-x2Y7PLi9X4Z41-N3dAHdThYpze3IGEsrw/s1600-h/milltown_pan-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IjN_9PJlJfaYNUQlH3PPpMmw9gCqmGiZtSOLcgVKQajTrb69r0qlC_pOqVD37sf2rTDhVQR-GpGTFIjAig2jlORqWezNBIAdywvcCGMN-x2Y7PLi9X4Z41-N3dAHdThYpze3IGEsrw/s400/milltown_pan-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402289009889857698" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Photo Above: A panoramic view of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork River confluence before the dam was removed.</span><br /><br /><br /><br />The fall season started off in September with Hellgate Middle School, followed by Lewis and Clark Elementary, Bonner School, and St. Joseph’s Elementary School. The students spent three days in the classroom with guest lecturers who provided a concise overview of current and historic circumstances surrounding the Milltown Dam and its removal.<br /> <br />The first lecture providesd an overview of the idea of watershed health, and a history of the Milltown Dam and of mining in Butte. It aimsed to create a well-rounded understanding of the circumstances that led to the building of the dam and the role that Butte played at such a pivotal time in American history.<br /> <br />The second lecture givesave a more in depth look at the numerous environmental hazards that have resulted from mining, which have affected not only Butte and its residents but all those who live downstream on the Clark Fork. This lecture also discussesd why the dam was removed and the related environmental impacts, both short- and long-term.<br /> <br />The third and final lecture discussesd the concept of parameters and readiesd students to go out into the field to conduct their own scientific assessments and comparisons of sites on the Blackfoot River, upstream of the dam, and on the Clark Fork River, downstream of the dam. These assessments included diversity in macroinvertebrate populations, riparian vegetation, pebble counts, and water chemistry, all as indicators of water quality and ecosystem health.<br /> <br />The data that the students collected was valuable to their own understanding of ecosystem and watershed health and succeeded in introducing many of them to the scientific process. Because there are real and on-going issues surrounding the pollution of the Clark Fork, a river in which many of them play and fish, it is a great way to help them to think critically about pollution and the importance of keeping their rivers clean.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mGTjyKPI1Pw6GXcX6MJjWkeNY3-FqLwVzTmEmkF4EwaXMnuaygDbzA8TuI8hBEYZsOm75FDBsxUEWG1rn8r3PpyCbyZcxw2BEkPxVEXsIFVPbVHVfnU48I7Aa54sU9r3mBAUIcy4Gg/s1600-h/PB130020-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mGTjyKPI1Pw6GXcX6MJjWkeNY3-FqLwVzTmEmkF4EwaXMnuaygDbzA8TuI8hBEYZsOm75FDBsxUEWG1rn8r3PpyCbyZcxw2BEkPxVEXsIFVPbVHVfnU48I7Aa54sU9r3mBAUIcy4Gg/s400/PB130020-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402289006199489042" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Photo Above: Doug Martin from the NRDP talks about the restoration of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot River confluence with local students.</span><br /> <br /><br />As an Americorps volunteer I had a great time interacting with the students and very much appreciated what came to be a crash course in the history of Butte in America, the impacts of mining on people and the environment, and in the many ways that citizen science can aid professionals in their work.<br /> <br />It was after the data was collected and the students were gathered around to look at the results more closely that I noticed how attentive they were. It was as if a lightbulb would go off in their heads as their compared pebble counts to better understand areas of erosion versus those of deposition, or the conductivity of the water affected by the mine waste versus that which had not. When these results were brought back to them in ways in which they were truly understood, like why barely anything can live in water affected by acid rock drainage being the equivalent ofis similar to why nobody would want to soak in a bath of lemon juice, it was evident that they got the point of what we were teaching them by the great questions they came up with. Some of them were very simple questions that, in true kid-manner, really got at the heart of the matter. Unfortunately a lot of the time it would be difficult to simplify what often turned into a complex explanation.<br />That, I think, is one of the best challenges of working with kids. There is no better test of your understanding of a complex issue than if you can simplify it enough to make it make sense to a class of 5th graders. So I thank them for the challenge because it helps me to really get down to the heart of the matter and to contemplate some of the really difficult questions.<br /> <br />CFWEP would like to send out a thank you to all of the teachers, students, and parent chaperones that participated in making this season a great success. We would especially like to thank everyone at St. Joseph’s who came out on the last, very cold and frozen field trip in October when it snowed. We had a real bunch of troopers!Marisol Maddoxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17905891886588898491noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-62053990270143204002009-11-06T12:11:00.012-07:002009-11-06T15:52:08.332-07:00Freezout Lake Lake's Spring Snow Goose MigrationIt is a bit late for this blog/article/crappy journalism, but hey . . . better late than never! So here it goes, my first blog . . .<br /><br />On April 4, 2009, my sister and went traveling north to Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area near Fairfiled, MT. There is an incredible event that happens here every spring: the migration of the snow goose. Around 100,000 plus snow geese use this lake and its surronding series of ponds as a "rest stop" as they fly north to their summer feeding grounds. These geese fly from their southern wintering grounds (California, Baja and Mexico) up the "Pacific Flyway", a major north-south migratory route for birds. Freezout Lake happens to be on this route. The geese fatten up on the spent grain in the surrounding farm fields. After a couple of days, they head north to nest in either Hudson Bay, Alaska or Russia.<br /><br />The geese leave the lake in the morning to feed in the fields. Around 10am, the geese return to water for a bit R & R. Around 5pm, the geese take off to the fields to feed again, returning back to the safety of the lake before dark. For me, it is the take-off from the water and the returning to the water that is the most spectacular. When one flock leaves to feed, a couple other flocks may head out with them. A wall of white leaving the water. When it is time to return to the water, many flocks dot the sky with a check-mark like pattern. The flocks will merge high above the lake, then swirl down to the water.<br /><br />So enough blah, blah, blah. It's time to see some pictures and a little video, poorly narrated by my sister and I.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYegLmLVnkV3TYyFE2QVBGcsrBK6fKiCjDfKPAlnP_XWIDLXzyB4wlxFcVjlmqcKQNBQWYf7UpSjiJcJDxoFwUiLbGHsBoNfHDSlqQZIv9H4igUARpW9-ItPgkbpC6QAV7FfSiigauKJT/s1600-h/comming+in+from+the+fields.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401110263997294274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYegLmLVnkV3TYyFE2QVBGcsrBK6fKiCjDfKPAlnP_XWIDLXzyB4wlxFcVjlmqcKQNBQWYf7UpSjiJcJDxoFwUiLbGHsBoNfHDSlqQZIv9H4igUARpW9-ItPgkbpC6QAV7FfSiigauKJT/s320/comming+in+from+the+fields.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZASpQuInLFwSzU43XIIpgjujc-2ZalzgvPychi9UWk3p0nXycMCCJrI80fFM2AL-qLWJmvhcBrDb7Io9Zw31pcpeQ8ykeqZvjssweQKS1-q7CNnTfx9kvOhjTeFvcWWX5AI6jtcw7CxRr/s1600-h/Snow+Geese+landing+Freezout+Lake+16.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401111930801825746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZASpQuInLFwSzU43XIIpgjujc-2ZalzgvPychi9UWk3p0nXycMCCJrI80fFM2AL-qLWJmvhcBrDb7Io9Zw31pcpeQ8ykeqZvjssweQKS1-q7CNnTfx9kvOhjTeFvcWWX5AI6jtcw7CxRr/s320/Snow+Geese+landing+Freezout+Lake+16.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00Hh0LNZv1gXONhS69nHKTxzGQEO78HEL4lurgWGFpQtt8eHQMDz6wfyyW8hEFrwLkTQgxfBIr0oO4rGgtPdg2r0Uk5JzJMIQ3aJsjKpN1pKa11gWFX1StDXyonfPay5M4PRsC5JuarHs/s1600-h/Snow+Geese+landing+Freezout+Lake+21.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401114076478099122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00Hh0LNZv1gXONhS69nHKTxzGQEO78HEL4lurgWGFpQtt8eHQMDz6wfyyW8hEFrwLkTQgxfBIr0oO4rGgtPdg2r0Uk5JzJMIQ3aJsjKpN1pKa11gWFX1StDXyonfPay5M4PRsC5JuarHs/s320/Snow+Geese+landing+Freezout+Lake+21.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M-ayAfc3RTUEri5QvJMgEM-O_vU58wXmg-SYhNBbjzpbqKb66txHjzLrECVKw-_o-gksNJwQxbwo54FRq30Uy0b9GOWLiZhVSbI_OjvZ5H-9JCRDVRR6nZKgBGXcYt1chEB6oWD5DI0h/s1600-h/ducks+%26+Snow+Geese+04.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401115136212396738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8M-ayAfc3RTUEri5QvJMgEM-O_vU58wXmg-SYhNBbjzpbqKb66txHjzLrECVKw-_o-gksNJwQxbwo54FRq30Uy0b9GOWLiZhVSbI_OjvZ5H-9JCRDVRR6nZKgBGXcYt1chEB6oWD5DI0h/s320/ducks+%26+Snow+Geese+04.JPG" /></a><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9r99GZCLwFw&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9r99GZCLwFw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Lorna McIntyrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17828272350447215782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-70489891335116205332009-11-05T13:18:00.005-07:002009-11-05T13:27:12.976-07:00Fall Field Season Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnSsNjpEPthooXdt9kl5-U-BN768fP9CI6xtqPITg9MdMFvoOUgax46BYJEHkxwdNYqXxR1LFX2WTL0SCWWkEBkSHcEkx30HteiLgDS4WmXe86sFodXRyF-WHrMP-xPvHZa_PdRX1GvY/s1600-h/EMS-at-SBC-Oct09.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400717703001729890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnSsNjpEPthooXdt9kl5-U-BN768fP9CI6xtqPITg9MdMFvoOUgax46BYJEHkxwdNYqXxR1LFX2WTL0SCWWkEBkSHcEkx30HteiLgDS4WmXe86sFodXRyF-WHrMP-xPvHZa_PdRX1GvY/s400/EMS-at-SBC-Oct09.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Photo Above: Students from East Middle School measure water chemistry on the banks of restored Silver Bow Creek just west of Butte.</em><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">A</span>round the Clark Fork, our Fall school middle school visits are in full swing. We started in September at Drummond School and just completed our East Middle School visits in late October on the icy banks of Silver Bow Creek. Our last trip for the season is Butte Central High School in November.<br /><br />We recently revised our curriculum in order to expand our history and bioindicator lessons, as well as give students more opportunity to practice field techniques and become comfortable with our new datasheets. We have also included additional activities to engage students in the classroom. New activities include making a watershed using paper, markers and water in order to visualize how water flows within a watershed. Another activity that is very effective in helping students with the field component is an in-class review of how to correctly identify vegetation structure (ground cover, understory and overstory) and how to identify aquatic macroinvertebrates. Finally, the in-class field practice has been expanded to include a practice vegetation assessment in addition to practice with GLX water quality meters.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDxT82bQj8V7gUQIA8UKVrkRXRGCgvKFgnrLJgVR2BakYfWSdJlA5LsfOh6RXatiQvKmz0pAkVoVn3V1sOrk786RlzUWI165pabzDiSYejHS_85H96UxE6R0LdwJ7_uN9Rr6rgQvocxk/s1600-h/EMS-at-SBC-Oct09-02.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400717921252583698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqDxT82bQj8V7gUQIA8UKVrkRXRGCgvKFgnrLJgVR2BakYfWSdJlA5LsfOh6RXatiQvKmz0pAkVoVn3V1sOrk786RlzUWI165pabzDiSYejHS_85H96UxE6R0LdwJ7_uN9Rr6rgQvocxk/s400/EMS-at-SBC-Oct09-02.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Photo Above: Lorna McIntyre from CFWEP assists students in identifying the riparian vegetation of Silver Bow Creek.<br /></em><br />CFWEP teachers around the Basin have responded enthusiastically to the revised curriculum. Most importantly, the students appear to enjoy the expanded activities. Students also seem to conduct their field trip data collection with more confidence. It is quite rewarding to hear the students using scientific terminology when discussing their field observations and experience.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj4PBSsFw-ffMpVD3CcasKDUxUjPYKxEf35qEmmRgBwGq2-ZC5OrwPrFmOtgX9cd8yQA3P3Aw9wYAWPoIRcW_J7ywXJmD3ThvT1kiwpHpxiq44aR63RDif9afdyNeOwe0Ge1BPSVCgLo/s1600-h/EMS-at-SBC-Oct09-03.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400718569603097634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvj4PBSsFw-ffMpVD3CcasKDUxUjPYKxEf35qEmmRgBwGq2-ZC5OrwPrFmOtgX9cd8yQA3P3Aw9wYAWPoIRcW_J7ywXJmD3ThvT1kiwpHpxiq44aR63RDif9afdyNeOwe0Ge1BPSVCgLo/s400/EMS-at-SBC-Oct09-03.jpg" /></a><em>Photo Above: CFWEP’s Arlene Alvarado helps students collect and identify stream insects in order to assess the health of Silver Bow Creek.<br /></em><br />Before we know it, the Spring field trip season will be upon us. If you are interested in volunteering for a Spring field trip, contact Arlene Alvarado, CFWEP Field Coordinator, at (406) 496-4862 or aalvarado@mtech.edu for a full schedule of volunteer opportunities.<br /><br />Go CFWEP!<br /><br />-Arlene Alvarado, CFWEP Field CoordinatorJustin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-83432375118795650392009-10-26T16:19:00.004-06:002009-10-26T16:27:12.726-06:002009 Blackfoot Youth Field Day: Transportation on the Clearwater<span style="font-size:130%;">T</span>he Blackfoot Challenge sponsored its 9th Annual Youth Field Day on September 23, 2009. At the Harper’s Lake Fishing Access on the Clearwater River, just upstream from its confluence with the Blackfoot River, over 100 fourth through sixth grade students from all over the Blackfoot Watershed came together for a day of outdoor education.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YrsWstGAJAqBwJrrOV0KVOT5KuHC6ljE9YYTLBLIofZESPSdeBHtxkJrpOk35BiZiIFsmLkw5py4R8x7WFB1RRpXIjmbiXuVoKSYK8krbsSyZcw7VZpCqIGgHfyadHZpcjpqD8hy-lE/s1600-h/blackfoot_yfd02.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397037918512421170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YrsWstGAJAqBwJrrOV0KVOT5KuHC6ljE9YYTLBLIofZESPSdeBHtxkJrpOk35BiZiIFsmLkw5py4R8x7WFB1RRpXIjmbiXuVoKSYK8krbsSyZcw7VZpCqIGgHfyadHZpcjpqD8hy-lE/s400/blackfoot_yfd02.jpg" /></a><em>Photo Above: In the Water Droplet Journey game, students flip a “dice” high into the air. The result will tell them where to go next in the water cycle.</em><br /><p>Youth Field Days engage local students in their watershed, while addressing topics from natural resource issues to community sustainability. The topic for this year was Transportation, and students tackled the issue through stations on Seed Dispersal, Navigation, Mule Packing, Water Droplet Journey, and Journaling.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt4vV0gDNjDpgG6bNIW_QkT-d7-zQEyw4f3e5Var1CQ8875Rr0T2yXuHEZtXSsRc0XJgJuV8IPQvPTX5OJ1K6VERgI_IIFy5fpeaKNBljIkMhlyefLn4RruvC3JfXsCDLexE3ls05WjQ/s1600-h/blackfoot_yfd01.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397037475398377954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpt4vV0gDNjDpgG6bNIW_QkT-d7-zQEyw4f3e5Var1CQ8875Rr0T2yXuHEZtXSsRc0XJgJuV8IPQvPTX5OJ1K6VERgI_IIFy5fpeaKNBljIkMhlyefLn4RruvC3JfXsCDLexE3ls05WjQ/s400/blackfoot_yfd01.jpg" /></a><em>Photo Above: Students practice their observational skills before journaling on the banks of the Clearwater River.</em> <br /><p>CFWEP Curriculum Coordinator Rayelynn Connole led the Journaling station, where students learned to describe nature in their watershed, just as Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery observed and documented the American northwest. CFWEP AmeriCorps VISTA Lorna McIntyre and Janel Evans, Montana Tech AmeriCorps Team Leader, immersed students in the water cycle through the Water Droplet Journey game. Playing the role of a drop of water, students learn the varying pathways a water molecule can take through the water cycle. By learning only a small amount of water is available for human use, student gain a greater appreciation for their watershed and the value of clean, healthy water. And in the Blackfoot Valley, clean water and watershed stewardship will maintain the natural beauty of the Blackfoot River ecosystem well into the future.<br /><br><br />For more information on our partners at the Blackfoot Challenge, visit <a href="http://www.blackfootchallenge.org/">http://www.blackfootchallenge.org/</a>.</p><br />-CFWEP VISTA Lorna McIntyre<br /></p>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-38512785108302313162009-10-26T14:12:00.008-06:002009-10-26T15:14:36.044-06:00Science Cafe: The Science of the Berkeley Pit<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgC5OYhlm3U9W5u8nAYsX_P5cBtiGDyAKDKSoZ6hLYUV6ovL4-AY9bNM5TuqlOiyPuri01udYZOd81aCystIsJDXHXFNLbq-qsICjct785HxpBpx1Vc22sWYuhRaJo0wv8kRCtQElKe0/s1600-h/berkeley_pit02.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397010434188273442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizgC5OYhlm3U9W5u8nAYsX_P5cBtiGDyAKDKSoZ6hLYUV6ovL4-AY9bNM5TuqlOiyPuri01udYZOd81aCystIsJDXHXFNLbq-qsICjct785HxpBpx1Vc22sWYuhRaJo0wv8kRCtQElKe0/s400/berkeley_pit02.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">T</span>o someone driving through Butte, Montana for the first time, one image dominates the landscape: the expanse of the Berkeley Pit to the north. The Pit extends 1700 feet from the top of the rim near the old Bell-Diamond Mine to the bottom of the over 40 billion gallons of acidic water that make up the slowly rising Pit Lake.<br /><br />The sheer magnitude of the site, a functioning mine from 1955 until 1982, is enough to draw attention. But the environmental science underlying the Berkeley is the real cause for interest.<br /><br />From the early days of underground mining in Butte, the hill has been dewatered by underground pumps. Those pumps ran continuously from the late 1800s until 1982. When economic conditions forced the Berkeley Pit to close, ARCO, the parent company of the Berkeley, decided to shut off those underground pumps.<br /><br />The result is the Berkeley Pit Lake we see today. Without the pumps to keep the thousands of miles of tunnels beneath the Butte Hill dry, surface runoff and seeping groundwater began to accumulate, eventually reaching the bottom of the Pit. Throughout the 80s and 90s, the water level in the Pit continued to rise, and today the Pit Lake is over 1000 feet deep.<br /><br />The water in the Pit is highly acidic, with a pH of about 2.5. A process called Acid Rock or Acid Mine Drainage is the culprit. Not all of the rock extracted from the Butte Hill and the Berkeley is valuable. A high percentage is waste rock, and a considerable amount of waste rock still sits behind the Berkeley to the north and east.<br /><br />Rock from the Butte ore body is high in sulfur, mainly in the form of iron pyrite or fool’s gold. When exposed to air and water, the iron pyrite is oxidized. Mixed with surface and ground water, the sulfur increases the acidity of the water. This increased acidity, in turn, causes the other metals present in the rock, such as copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc, to dissolve into the water.<br /><br />In the case of the eastern slope of the Butte Hill, all of this Acid Rock Drainage water flows, either over the surface or through a natural cone of depression in the ground water table, into the Berkeley Pit Lake. In this way, the Berkeley is not all bad: the collection of acid water there prevents it from spreading elsewhere where it could potentially impact the Butte valley or, just downstream, the Clark Fork River.<br /><br />While the Berkeley water is certainly toxic, it is not as deadly as some suppose. The acidity of the Pit, with a pH of 2.5, is about the same as the acidity of your favorite soft drink. In other words, the Pit water is not going to instantly dissolve anything that touches it. There have been incidents of bird deaths in the Pit resulting from birds drinking and swimming in the Pit water continuously for more than a day. Today, hazing activities prevent birds from spending too much time in the Berkeley.<br /><br />The main human health risk from the Berkeley involves the possibility that the water level may some day rise high enough to infiltrate into surrounding ground water aquifers. Such an occurrence could potentially contaminate drinking water wells, or contaminate ground and surface water downstream.<br /><br />The critical water level at which Berkeley water could spread out from the Pit is 5410 feet above sea level. The surface of the Pit Lake currently sits at 5282 feet above sea level. As the water level rises only a few feet each year, that leaves a lot of time before the critical level is approached. Current projections estimate that the Pit Lake will near the critical level some time after 2023.<br /><br />A strategy is already in place to manage the Pit water when that time comes. In 2003, construction was completed on the Horseshoe Bend Water Treatment Plant on the northeast rim of the Pit (<em>as pictured below</em>). Already tested and used in Montana Resources nearby mining operations, the Treatment Plant will pump and treat the Berkeley Pit water before it reaches the critical level.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkmjHY5VjLTH97au67nyYUWv35gG-PWztmn0dI2kfIOdkcEEL0I1BHliyQ71geBxPRDFYEigjLiKGtwK9vyx76_O8Q_kwqi5XAqOcH1NgzrYrN0juPui_rNaO-C261KkTD-3qfrJgZbU/s1600-h/berkeley_pit01.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397011026924559362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkmjHY5VjLTH97au67nyYUWv35gG-PWztmn0dI2kfIOdkcEEL0I1BHliyQ71geBxPRDFYEigjLiKGtwK9vyx76_O8Q_kwqi5XAqOcH1NgzrYrN0juPui_rNaO-C261KkTD-3qfrJgZbU/s400/berkeley_pit01.jpg" /></a>The water is treated by adding materials, primarily lime rock, that reduce the acidity. As the acidity decreases, the metals and other toxins dissolved in the water settle out in a solid “sludge.” This leftover sludge will be dumped into the Pit, in effect, backfilling it very slowly. Treated, clean Pit water will be used in Montana Resources mining operations or discharged into nearby Silver Bow Creek (<em>pictured below just downstream and to the west of Butte and the Berkeley</em>).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO1X0YNZn9LS_zKcA_bFGAtNvPXP2kGLV3zv0kdoiiEZ-l9Rbm_Ti1hkB5kigCbGcUJW_ki9hyijhCwJJa69m-OVXhA7W_wCFm1umkWoReIz1dPUVTYh_f58U78kddL62vjE2YXKAj4Y/s1600-h/sbc_01.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 345px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397011310683677474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO1X0YNZn9LS_zKcA_bFGAtNvPXP2kGLV3zv0kdoiiEZ-l9Rbm_Ti1hkB5kigCbGcUJW_ki9hyijhCwJJa69m-OVXhA7W_wCFm1umkWoReIz1dPUVTYh_f58U78kddL62vjE2YXKAj4Y/s400/sbc_01.jpg" /></a><br />While the visual and scientific spectacle of the Pit is essential to our current understanding of it, the most important legacy of the Berkeley cannot be seen at the Pit itself. Over 300 million tons of ore came out of the Berkeley, and the copper from that ore gave electricity and light and development to the U.S. and beyond. The next time you flip on an electric light in the middle of the night, take a second to remember the Berkeley Pit, and the true cost of the development we enjoy and often take for granted today.<br /><br /><em>Want to learn more about the Berkeley Pit, past, present, and future, as well as other environmental reclamation projects around the Butte area? Join Justin Ringsak for a Clark Fork Watershed Education Program <strong>Science Café discussion on the Berkeley Pit on Friday, Oct. 30 from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M. at the Venus Rising Espresso House, corner of Park and Main in uptown Butte.</strong></em><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyU1Xzlgteharn1QvdDy5WIRUW1RQufCucurC915xzByCjmlwJaoppEZy1dY0nKOqTg0vrEmmHwnnzasbUgs0qoSxo7PXwdyAt_h-gqdqsj2nFkSXFLSex1QDPGPaYpKBKCiknnESeEA/s1600-h/OctCafeSci-forweb.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397019968687052434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyU1Xzlgteharn1QvdDy5WIRUW1RQufCucurC915xzByCjmlwJaoppEZy1dY0nKOqTg0vrEmmHwnnzasbUgs0qoSxo7PXwdyAt_h-gqdqsj2nFkSXFLSex1QDPGPaYpKBKCiknnESeEA/s400/OctCafeSci-forweb.jpg" /></a><br /></div>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-16039615066499819182009-08-06T09:48:00.000-06:002009-08-06T12:02:54.217-06:002009 EcoDaredevil Award: Call For Nominations<strong><em>Attention: The deadline for the 2009 EcoDaredevil Award has been extended through September, 2009.<br /></em></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmUzyLgu2SaZmAauGMNSPngkkXTQz8-Z3JoB5BI-i8oJC90LnBdp2UdKlM8x08HOz5yqGba2FT06a5a7SIw5wr39P8fn9eU8QJ3nGcf_A5PwQ5MXd1LjGXSBKPvrXZ0xaJGVqtN9ITx8/s1600-h/ecodaredevil-smallprint-smfilesz.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344986744141072850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 349px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAmUzyLgu2SaZmAauGMNSPngkkXTQz8-Z3JoB5BI-i8oJC90LnBdp2UdKlM8x08HOz5yqGba2FT06a5a7SIw5wr39P8fn9eU8QJ3nGcf_A5PwQ5MXd1LjGXSBKPvrXZ0xaJGVqtN9ITx8/s400/ecodaredevil-smallprint-smfilesz.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;">B</span>UTTE, MT – The first annual EcoDaredevil Award was presented on Earth Day 2008 at Duke University in Durham, NC. On World Ocean Day, June 8th, 2009 we proudly announce our call for nominations for the second-annual EcoDaredevil Award. This year we will honor an EcoDaredevil from the legendary Evel Knievel's home state of Montana, with an award presentation on the campus of Montana Tech in September 2009. Nominations must be received by August 1, 2009. The 2009 EcoDaredevil winner will receive a cash award and other “green” prizes.<br /><br />The first annual EcoDaredevil Award was presented to Duke doctoral student Elliott Hazen. An honorary award was also presented to Krysten Knievel, granddaughter of Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel, in recognition of Evel's inspiration for the EcoDaredevil Award. Mr. Hazen was one of the co-founders of GreenWave, a student-led sustainability movement at the Duke Marine Lab. He also instituted a Green by Design class at the Marine Lab bringing in all sorts of experts from business, fisheries etc. to come and chat about sustainability.<br /><br />The 2009 award winner will be chosen by 1) a selection committee of nationally and regionally recognized environmental scientists and activists who will review all nominations; 2) peers via an on-line voting system. The 2009 EcoDaredevil Award will be announced in a ceremony at Montana Tech on Friday, September 18th on World Water Monitoring Day, an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local water bodies.<br /><br />2009 Nominees must meet the following criteria:<br /><br />- Be from the State of Montana;<br /><br />- Age 18 to 35, or a recently (graduated this spring or enrolled for this fall) enrolled/graduated college (grad or undergrad) student;<br /><br />-Has exceptionally fulfilled the core characteristics of what the EcoDaredevil Award signifies: courage, creativity and success (even failure if they’re back up and trying) in positively impacting environmental change through science, action, policy or the arts.<br /><br />-Nominee must be nominated by a faculty member, researcher, student, peer or other member of the local, regional, national or international environmental community.<br /><br />-Please submit nominations via email to <a href="mailto:EcoDaredevil@me.com">EcoDaredevil@me.com</a> by August 1, 2009. Please include the following information in your nomination, electronic submissions only (sent to <a href="mailto:EcoDaredevil@me.com">EcoDaredevil@me.com</a> ):<br /><br />Name<br /><br />Age<br /><br />Location/hometown<br /><br />Year in school/college/major<br /><br />An explanation of why the nominee is an EcoDaredevil (maximum of three, single-spaced, 12-point font pages)<br /><br />At least two letters/emails of recommendation/support – one from a faculty/teacher; one from a student/peer; and/or one from a member of the community (state, local or other).<br /><br />Supplements/supporting materials may include web links, articles, images of nominee's accomplishments, etc.<br /><br />Entries will be judged upon 1) innovation/creativity of nominee's actions/accomplishments; 2) courage of nominee to perform in the face of adversity (i.e. difficulty of achievement exhibited by numbers, required time/timeliness, social/economic/political climate, etc.); 3) significance of nominee's impact on environmental change (sustainability and/or size of outcome(s); number of people affected, policies changed/implemented, honors received); 4) exceptional character exhibited by the nominee. [Note: In order to save your nomination, prepare the nomination with Word, pdf and submit as an attachment.]<br /><br />Read more about the EcoDaredevil award at the EcoDaredevil blog: <a href="http://ecodaredevil.blogspot.com/">http://ecodaredevil.blogspot.com/</a>.Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-20165817198854864342009-06-30T10:42:00.001-06:002009-06-30T10:42:50.210-06:00CFWEP Restoration & Education Newsletter: July 2009The latest edition of CFWEP's Restoration & Education Newsletter is now available online (pdf format). Go to <a href="http://www.cfwep.org/">cfwep.org</a> to download it and hear all the latest and greatest from up and down the Clark Fork Basin.Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-42962934665076225552009-06-12T11:30:00.002-06:002009-06-12T11:33:38.095-06:00Now Accepting Applications for the River Rat Flyfishing Camp in AugustCFWEP and the George Grant chapter of Trout Unlimited are teaming up to offer a week-long fly fishing camp for are students in August. Download the full application packet for complete camp details:<br /><a href="http://www.cfwep.org/pdfs-docs/RiverRatCampApp-2009.pdf">River Rat Flyfishing Camp Application</a> (pdf)<br /><a href="http://www.cfwep.org/pdfs-docs/RiverRatCampApp-2009.doc">River Rat Flyfishing Camp Application</a> (doc)<br />Email any questions to Matt at <a href="mailto:mvincent@mtech.edu">mvincent@mtech.edu</a>.<br />We'll see you on the river!Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6589709287076761085.post-72176596479305896982009-06-08T10:00:00.004-06:002009-06-08T10:08:09.000-06:00Guest Blog: The World Needs Some EcoDaredevils by Wallace J. Nichols, PhD<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKB6mQxKlF2_UMDmYnF422gDTHoEPL3ZnNm50a0F5jivj-wd_a_qWfJfHUdeSLIx8jUhfOm3ZTMeUzJv0hAbUSFfmk8hXOYn48O-FNVXuS84b00bvjNeABGYjT94IvTSyiOlC70sEk18/s1600-h/evelk.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344988585354350066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px; WIDTH: 269px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 193px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKB6mQxKlF2_UMDmYnF422gDTHoEPL3ZnNm50a0F5jivj-wd_a_qWfJfHUdeSLIx8jUhfOm3ZTMeUzJv0hAbUSFfmk8hXOYn48O-FNVXuS84b00bvjNeABGYjT94IvTSyiOlC70sEk18/s320/evelk.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjuZJ49WNnjDhYgEaKVqLGTOZheogRSKLyeNALBBolrdF7LVKXcR4GtaKX8-EFVcIfqkMb1CplqZU3P1obbms_4NJFy7Yja_s0SExGU8h4WR7qf6_47i-xjCGRq5O0YNcln9kaoBMuP8/s1600-h/environmental.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344988655108512594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 5px 5px; WIDTH: 275px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 206px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjuZJ49WNnjDhYgEaKVqLGTOZheogRSKLyeNALBBolrdF7LVKXcR4GtaKX8-EFVcIfqkMb1CplqZU3P1obbms_4NJFy7Yja_s0SExGU8h4WR7qf6_47i-xjCGRq5O0YNcln9kaoBMuP8/s320/environmental.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:180%;">B</span>ack in the 1970s, many of us idolized Evel Knievel. He was a rock star, sports hero and folk legend in one. He was both a daredevil and a cool character. Back then, his jumps over buses, fountains and canyons inspired us to launch our bicycles into the air and over puddles, mounds of dirt and hapless friends.<br /><br />Now, we find new inspiration in our childhood hero.<br /><br />In 1961 Robert Craig Knievel, long before “Evel” became a household name, hitchhiked through the dead of winter from Butte to our nation’s capital to protest the culling of elk in Yellowstone National Park. He lugged the rack of a massive bull elk along as a gift. It dominated the White House office of Mike Manatos, assistant to John F. Kennedy.<br />The administration responded and many elk were saved via implementation of a transplant system.<br /><br />Half a century later our country and our world face ever more serious environmental crises — loss of biodiversity, a warming planet, collapsing fisheries, looming food and water shortages for billions of people and the realization that our pollution has reached nearly every corner. Scientists forecast the 2050 Scenario as the convergence of a hotter, dirtier, more overcrowded Earth where nature will have been forgotten by most of the nine billion inhabitants who fight in violent wars for what’s left.<br /><br />Jumping that chasm is the greatest challenge we have ever faced.<br />Waiting until later is foolish at best and disastrous at worst.<br /><br />Solving the biggest problems we face will require the most revolutionarily of changes in society and technology, rather than incremental steps.<br /><br />We must be brave, creative and outspoken enough to challenge the status quo in our respective industries, departments and neighborhoods. We must undertake the audacious, impossible and dangerous. We must risk financial, social and physical pain.<br /><br />In other words, we must be EcoDaredevils.<br /><br />EcoDaredevils are everywhere. They are musicians, inventors, investors, scientists, activists, engineers, students, artists and entrepreneurs. They are debating, creating, evolving — sometimes crashing — and always coming back for more.<br /><br />Two Texas women cleaned up their beach and inspired the International Coastal Cleanup, a global volunteer movement a half a million strong.<br />Virgin Atlantic billionaire Sir Richard Branson is greening the aviation industry. Feliciano dos Santos campaigns for clean water in Africa with powerful music. In San Francisco, architect Renzo Piano designed the giant new roof of the California Academy of Sciences as a native meadow with solar panels. In Mexico, WaterKeeper Julio Solis drag races in Baja fishing villages to raise awareness of the ocean crisis.<br /><br />Changing our light bulbs, inflating our tires and bringing our own bags are all important. But let’s be clear: it’s going to take actions far more thrilling and substantive for us to make it over this canyon.<br /><br />For some, speaking up boldly about energy efficiency at the office is a risky bet. For others it may be a massive transformation to “green” their household. Others may undertake bolder actions at higher stakes. The point is to do something for the planet that feels like risk and derring-do — to you.<br /><br />They say that Evel Knievel broke many, many bones, many times. But he kept on jumping his motorcycle through the air. “A man can fall many times, but he’s never a failure unless he refuses to get up,” is chiseled on Knievel’s headstone. He represented a combination of steely will, toughness, creativity and tenacity that enthralled me as an eight year old and still does.<br /><br />Look inside yourself and grab a hold of your inner EcoDaredevil. Strap on your helmet, your red, white and blue leathers, and let’s go for a ride.<br /><br />Nominate an EcoDaredevil for our 2009 Award.<br /><br /><br /><hr /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">For more on EcoDaredevil founder Wallace J. Nichols, visit </span><a href="http://www.wallacejnichols.org/"><span style="font-size:85%;">www.wallacejnichols.org</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">.<br /></span></div>Justin Ringsakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00993991861163907328noreply@blogger.com1