Citizens urge Kalispell to oppose lowering water quality standards for Lower Ashley Creek; ask for public review

Citizens for a Better Flathead urged the Kalispell City Council to ensure robust public engagement and to oppose a proposed lowering of water quality standards for Lower Ashley Creek.

Cameron Dexter, speaking for Citizens for a Better Flathead, said his group is concerned about a proposed reclassification and lowering of standards for Lower Ashley Creek and asked the council whether the proposal had already been submitted to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and whether the EPA is the final decision-maker. He asked that the city circulate science-backed comments his organization provided on an expansion at the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District and asked where the public can submit comments.

Dexter was told to email materials to the city clerk at the e-mail address provided during the meeting (eclerk@calispell.com). Councilor Hunter later asked staff to follow up directly with the commenter and to confirm whether the city's consultant had assessed potential energy-recovery options for biosolids processing; staff indicated they would follow up.

A separate public commenter renewed a request that the council revisit emerging technologies for biosolids that could recover energy, noting prior research and asking the council to consider a subcommittee or outreach on the issue. The meeting also included consent-agenda approval of a professional-services amendment related to biosolids dewatering equipment at the wastewater treatment plant; staff said additional discussion of the biosolids project will be on upcoming work sessions.

No formal action was taken on the water-quality questions at the meeting; councilors asked staff to circulate materials and follow up with the speakers.