HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 20
INTRODUCED BY M. MILBURN
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA URGING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO REQUIRE MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE TO TAKE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR REMEDIATION OF SEDIMENT IN THE MISSOURI RIVER RESULTING FROM STORM WATER.
WHEREAS, Montana conservation districts are political subdivisions of the State of Montana created by the Legislature in 1939; and
WHEREAS, conservation districts' main function is to conduct local activities to promote conservation of natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the Whitmore ravine is a natural drainage located on the east end of Great Falls between Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Missouri River; and
WHEREAS, two feasibility studies completed in 2003 and 2005 estimate that 470,000 tons of sediment have entered the Missouri River through the Whitmore ravine; and
WHEREAS, the feasibility studies note that Malmstrom Air Force Base is the only major developed area contributing storm water discharges to the ravine; and
WHEREAS, Malmstrom Air Force Base has a valid storm water discharge permit from the Department of Environmental Quality; and
WHEREAS, the Cascade County conservation district has diligently worked to form a Whitmore ravine task force to include the participation of all stakeholders; and
WHEREAS, current contributions total $48,700 from private sources and from local and state governments to fund the feasibility studies, with $30,000 representing the state share from the coal tax trust fund; and
WHEREAS, the feasibility studies estimate a minimum construction cost of $2.3 million to remedy the erosion problem and sediment pollution to the Missouri River; and
WHEREAS, Malmstrom Air Force Base expresses a goal to be a good steward of the land.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the State of Montana formally request the U.S. Department of Defense to acknowledge the damage that storm water from Malmstrom Air Force Base has caused and require Malmstrom Air Force Base to take financial responsibility for any remediation actions and to work in close cooperation with affected landowners and the Cascade County conservation district to effectively resolve this major natural resource problem.
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