Decreased snowpack in the Rocky Mountains may compound problems for Colorado, Arizona, California, and other Western states.
On April 10th, 61 percent of the lower 48 states were listed by the U.S. Drought Monitor to be in abnormally dry or drought conditions. To assess the vulnerabilities of the watershed and consider how water supply and demand might change in the coming years, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation has embarked on a study of theColoradoRiver Basin to be released this July.

“Existing demand very clearly outstrips existing supply,” says Barry Nelson, a senior policy analyst in the water program at the environmental nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).  “That’s the main reason we’re seeing declining storage. That simply cannot continue.”

Read the full story at National Geographic. This story is part of a special National Geographic News series on global water issues. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/warm-spring-drought-wildfires-water-shortages/

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The 16-kilometer (10-mile) stretch of the Missouri River where it passes Great Falls,Montana, was once so swift, roiling, and precipitous that, in 1805, the Lewis and Clark expedition spent 11 days hauling equipment and boats on an overland portage to continue their transcontinental journey.

Earlier this year, the same fast-flowing reach again came to national attention, when the United States Supreme Court unanimously clarified the ownership of the riverbed beneath the Missouri and two other Montana rivers, the Madison and the Clark Fork.

In February’s 9-to-0 ruling — which overturned a previous decision by the Montana Supreme Court from March 2010 — the high court also asserted, emphatically, that states have the authority to protect the public’s use and enjoyment of rivers, regardless of who owns the bottom. In doing so, the U.S. Supreme Court confirmed a state’s authority to implement and enforce river safeguards to prevent interference with public use and environmental harms.

What might, at first glance, appear to be a loss for Montana has actually set a precedent to protect water as a public trust in the United States during an age when water is increasingly being viewed as a commodity.

Read more of this special to the Circle of Blue by James Olson:
http://www.circleofblue.org/waternews/2012/world/water-law-u-s-supreme-court-navigates-waters-of-ownership-clarifies-possession-of-missouri-river-bottomland/?utm_source=Circle+of+Blue+WaterNews+%26+Alerts&utm_campaign=cd1e9776c5-Weekly_Water_News_May_2_20125_2_2012&utm_medium=email

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 Filmmakers in attendance along with musical guest Open Range

BOZEMAN, Montana (May 3, 2012) – A feature documentary film from award-winning filmmaker Hunter Weeks will host its world premier in Bozeman later this month. The adventure feature, “Where the Yellowstone Goes,” filmed on the Yellowstone River this summer, will debut at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 at The Ellen Theatre.
“After completing the film, we knew Montana was the right place to hold the world premiere. It’s a story that captures the essence of what makes this place so special,” said director, Hunter Weeks.

The crew floated nearly 600 miles in a hand-made drift boat, capturing notes of wisdom as told by the locals met throughout the 30-day adventure on the Yellowstone River. The longest undammed river in the United States, the Yellowstone’s unspoiled beauty is legendary. With elements of fly-fishing, conservation, and the type of clarity that can only be found upon slowing down, “Where the Yellowstone Goes” is more than a simple journey. It’s about people, our environment, and the harmony that exists between them.  

From the film’s river guides to the companies that got the project off the ground,Where the Yellowstone Goes” has received tremendous support throughout Montana. Presenting sponsor Trout Headwaters Inc. headquartered in Livingston, Mont., Simms Fishing Products in Bozeman and the Montana Office of Tourism were among the first to rally behind the film.

 “We couldn’t be more pleased with the way the film portrays this precious resource, and how it will continue to advance understanding, love and conservation of theYellowstone River for many years to come,” said Michael Sprague, President of Trout Headwaters, Inc.

Special musical guest , OpenRange, will kick off the event. The Livingston, Mont. band provides music for the film’s soundtrack. Immediately following the screening, the cast and crew will participate in a question and answer session. Tickets are $15 plus a $1 restoration fee for The Ellen Theater.

Contact:
Sarah E. Hall, Producer
sarah@spinningblue.com
(952) 239-3998

Presented by Trout Headwaters, Inc., Where the Yellowstone Goes is a feature length documentary film following a 30-day drift boat journey along the Yellowstone River. Filmed in August and September of 2011, the film follows a small crew down theYellowstone River from Gardiner, MT to the confluence of the Missouri River atFort Buford, ND. “Where theYellowstone Goes” is a Thoughtful Adventure from Red Popsicle films. Additional film sponsors include Montana Office of Tourism, Simms, and Costa Sunglasses. It is the 4th directorial release from Hunter Weeks whose credits also include 10 MPH and Ride the Divide.

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 The Great Falls Tribune recently reported on Montana’s Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Project quoting Montana Fish Wildlife and Park’s assertion that the poisoning project is “showing good results.”

“The goal of the project is to wipe out hybridized trout in the watershed by about 2017. That involves stocking pure genetic strains of the fish, which are being raised at the Washoe Park Hatchery in Anaconda,” reported the Tribune. 

As an advocate for healthy rivers, streams and lakes, THI opposes stream poisonings with rotenone and other systemic chemicals. In the short film, “Dead Wrong” about such poisonings in Montana’s pristine wilderness areas, one renowned biologist calls man’s attempts to manipulate species in an ecosystem “arrogance at its zenith.”

Visit www.stopriverkilling.org to view the short film that premiered on World Water Day at Toronto’s MINT film festival.

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Sorry, tropical rain forests. Grasslands have the most plant species—at least when the area studied is smaller than a few parking spaces.
In a recent study, biologists scoured data from previous papers about plant-rich ecosystems around the world and discovered that grasslands harbor the most plant species in areas less than 540 square feet (50 square meters).

Read the full story from National Geographic: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120320-grasslands-rain-forests-species-diversity-environment/

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A “Johnny Willowseed” Approach

In 1995, Trout Headwaters, Inc (THI) was founded to provide service to private, non-profit, and government clients.  At a time when fewer than a handful of entities across the U.S. were providing stream, river or wetland restoration services, the company quickly became a recognized leader in “soft” biostabilization and riparian restoration strategies.  

For many years the company has teamed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and others to develop and refine these environmentally superior techniques for stream stabilization and restoration.  A state regulator, reviewing one of THI’s early landmark projects remarked that we had used a “Johnny Willowseed” approach.  Working WITH nature has indeed been a precept of the firm since its founding and one that we’re immensely proud to continue through today.  

Proven, Practical Innovation  

In 2001, THI began developing and testing proprietary technologies for river, stream and wetland inventory, assessment, design, and monitoring.  Ultimately, several of these processes were commercialized by sister company THI RiverWorks.  U.S. Patents for restoration methods, processes, and computer software were received beginning in 2006.  

So while Trout Headwaters continues to offer the same services it did when first founded, the company has constantly changed and improved its process and its products.  This commitment to improving quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness has resulted in now more than 450 successful projects all across the U.S.  The company’s work has been featured in diverse publications including Land & Water, Erosion Control, Landscape Architect, Outdoor Life, and many others.

Customer Focus

Expect however our hallmark to remain always unchanged: A dedication to serving the nation’s most discriminating clients by delivering cost-effective and ecologically beneficial restoration products and services.

At THI our guiding principle is always to stay customer-focused. Each one of our clients has helped us achieve what we believe to be the lead position in the aquatic restoration industry.   But why take our word for it, listen to a sample of what our clients are saying:

“We have received award-winning attention for our sustainable, green design and development efforts, much of which is directly attributable to THI.” – Cielo Falls (NC)

“You and your team were nothing short of spectacular! Great communication on all projects and their status, along with an attitude that reflects your sincere care and passion for your profession consistently exceeded my expectations.” - 3 Peaks Ranch (MT)

“As you know I’ve worked with other firms on river restoration projects, prior to engaging THI.  As such, I have come to appreciate the quality of your firm’s work in an industry where many firms offer dramatic results but fail to deliver.”- River Ranch Restoration LLC (CO) 

“Simply put, Trout Headwaters, Inc. is the transition captain, adding value by enhancing natural attributes of these ecologically important ranches.”- Live Water Properties (WY)

To learn more or contact us – Visit www.troutheadwaters.com

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For our many friends in the social media, we hope you’ll check in on us at our NEW Facebook page via facebook.com/Trout-Headwaters-Inc  The Club EcoBlu wall is a sure way to keep up with the latest stream, river and wetland restoration news from one of the oldest firms in the industry.  AND, Subscriptions are still free to our 2-Minute Update.  To request yours for email delivery each month > SUBSCRIBE

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We note the draft language in Montana DNRC’s 2012 Model Floodplain Ordinance requiring that “a licensed professional engineer” (P.E.) design all stream restoration and bank stabilization projects undertaken in Montana.  While engineering is an important professional discipline, the proposed rule as written would greatly diminish the vital roles played by hydrologists, fluvial geomorphologists, sedimentologists, ecologists, and the other skilled scientists in this important work.  Further, it’s very important to understand that there is no consistent requirement in a professional engineer’s academic training or in Montana’s P.E. certification criteria that would dictate the attainment of specific skills for stream bank stabilization and restoration.

Decades of misguided, hard-engineering attempts to force natural stream systems into unnatural configurations have resulted in unhealthy, armored floodplains along many of our nation’s streams, including in Montana.  History will likely describe our time as a period of human failure – the failure to understand and the failure to accommodate the most basic ecological needs and functions of our precious water resources. These waters and their floodplains serve a broad host of ecological services for humans and wildlife, providing biodiversity, aquifer recharge and carbon sequestration. Without the protection of these basic functions, we will pass to the next generation a tarnished legacy of damaged and destroyed resources.

Any successful stream restoration or bank stabilization project requires a multi-disciplinary or inter-disciplinary team of scientists and technicians to ensure success. THI would suggest that granting a design monopoly for stream bank stabilization and river restoration to engineers may simply expose many P.E.’s to increased liability due to a general lack of direct experience in these applications.

Anyone interested in the future of Montana’s Floodplains, Rivers and Wetlands should comment on Montana DNRC’s 2012 Model Floodplain Ordinance now:  Traci Sears phone: 406-444‐6654, or via email  at  tsears@mt.gov

>>Read the Montana DNRC’s 2012 Model Floodplain Ordinance http://dnrc.mt.gov/wrd/water_op/floodplain/news/draft_model_ordinance.pdf

 

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The World Premiere of Where the Yellowstone Goes is happening May 19, 2012 at The Ellen Theatre in Bozeman, Montana.  Show starts at 7:30 PM.  Seating is limited and this event will sell out fast, so get yours now!  Go to www.theellentheatre.com or by phone at 406-585-5885.

Where the Yellowstone Goes will be coming to these cities!

  •  Boulder,CO
  •  Missoula,MT
  •  Seattle,WA
  •  Minneapolis,MN
  •  St. Cloud,MN
  •  Livonia,MI
  •  …and many more

 For more news on Upcoming Screenings visit http://www.wheretheyellowstonegoes.com/screenings/ 

Host-a-Screening kits will be available starting in June. If you’re interested in hosting your own screening of Where the Yellowstone Goes, get in touch with us for details http://www.wheretheyellowstonegoes.com/contact/

The feature documentary will make its Film Festival Premiere at the Newport Beach Festival in California on April 27, 2012 tickets are available via http://newportbeach.festivalgenius.com/2012/films/wheretheyellowstonegoes_hunterweeks_newportbeach2012 

Be sure to join us (and please bring a friend) to the showing nearest you.  We hope to see you at the World Premiere!

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