History of Watershed Planning in the Drainage
Created in 1999, the Jefferson River Watershed Council, a Montana based 501-C (3) nonprofit organization, includes all interests that may be affected by water-use and natural resource management in the watershed. The council seeks to develop practical solutions to difficult problems that affect the Jefferson River.
Thus local landowners, irrigators, ranchers, outfitters, businesses, sporting/recreation, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies contribute to creation and continued success of the council.
The organizational structure includes a board of directors, an overall Watershed Council made up of the above organizations and business sectors, and various committees on an as needed basis.
Priority Issues
The following are the priority resource issues identified by the JRWC based on the completed assessments by agencies organizations and local group in the Jefferson River Watershed area.
oJefferson River main stream-base flows and quality maintenance and restoration
oRiparian restoration
oNoxious weed control
oFlood plain planning
oConifer encroachment
oFisheries enhancement
oIrrigation water management
oPrescribed grazing systems
oSediment loading due to gully and rill erosion along Interstate 90 and unpaved roads
oProtection and maintenance of the local agricultural economy
oPeriodically evaluate the Drought Management Plan
In order to address the above-mentioned issues, the Jefferson River Watershed Council has agreed to address the following objectives.
Jefferson River Watershed Council Organizational Goal
Improve Jefferson River base flows and quality
Management Strategies Developed to Achieve the Council’s Objectives
•Develop a watershed restoration plan, which coordinates the activities of all key organizations and agencies to achieve the JRWC’s objective.
•Coordinate with BLM & USFS to integrate the agencies work in priority TMDL drainages with the JRWC.
•Coordinate with the Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) to integrate the NRCS planning priorities into the JRWC planning process
•Coordinate with the Jefferson Valley Conservation District (JVCD) to integrate the district’s plan of work into the JRWC planning process
•Coordinate with the JVCD to identify priority weed control issues, and areas to integrate the districts priorities into the JRWC planning process.
•Coordinate with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks to integrate their planning priorities into the JRWC planning process
•Coordinate with Trout Unlimited to integrate their planning priorities into the JRWC Planning process
•Meet with other local organizations including agricultural, economic development, sportsman groups, recreational groups and others as identified to seek their continual input into the JRWC planning process
