House Resolution No. 2

Introduced By _______________________________________________________________________________

A Resolution of the House of Representatives of the state of Montana urging property owners, developers, local, state, and federal government representatives, conservation districts, conservation and recreation groups, and affected citizens to work together to identify common goals regarding land development in streamside corridors and urging them to identify strategies to reach those goals; and requesting that these efforts be coordinated by the Montana Consensus Council.

WHEREAS, development pressure in Montana, especially in Montana's streamside corridors, is increasing; and

WHEREAS, streamside corridors are an integral component in the protection of water quality, wildlife habitat, agricultural open space, and aesthetic values in Montana; and

WHEREAS, Montana property owners have a right to the use, transfer, and development of their private property in streamside corridors; and

WHEREAS, Montana's recreational, tourist, and agricultural industries represent important segments of Montana's economy; and

WHEREAS, streamside corridor management has recently proved to be a controversial and divisive issue in at least two Montana counties.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the Montana Consensus Council be urged to address the situation surrounding the management of streamside corridors in Montana by consulting with property owners, developers, local, state, and federal government representatives, conservation districts, conservation and recreation groups, and other affected citizens to:

(1) identify the people, organizations, and communities concerned with streamside corridor management in Montana;

(2) provide an opportunity for these people to express their opinions and learn more about the needs and interests of other people;

(3) provide a forum for people interested in streamside corridor management to identify specific issues that they feel need to be addressed;

(4) examine how the issues related to streamside corridor management are currently being addressed and will most likely be addressed in the immediate future;

(5) determine satisfaction of the people of Montana with the likely outcomes of the current procedures being used to address the issues related to streamside corridor management in Montana;

(6) explore ways to improve the situation surrounding streamside corridor management in Montana; and

(7) assess the interest of the people of Montana in, and any barriers to, creating a consensus-building forum to address the issues related to streamside corridor management.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Montana Consensus Council be requested to prepare a "situation assessment" based on its consultations that includes but is not limited to:

(1) the methodology used to conduct the assessment;

(2) a description of the situations;

(3) a summary of the findings; and

(4) suggestions on how to proceed.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if the parties consulted are interested in convening a consensus-building forum to seek agreement on strategies to improve the management of streamside corridors in Montana, the Montana Consensus Council help the participants design an appropriate forum to meet their needs, interests, and goals.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the relevant state and local agencies be encouraged to provide administrative assistance as necessary to enhance the cooperative effort.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Montana Consensus Council distribute its final "situation assessment" to the 56th Legislature and to any other individual or group that expresses an interest in streamside corridor management in Montana.

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