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Stakeholder panel urges better coordination, data sharing in Montana water planning
Summary
A multi-stakeholder panel at the WPIC hearing urged improved coordination and data sharing among cities, agriculture and conservation groups, highlighting infrastructure and capacity concerns as the committee reviews working-group findings.
At the Oct. 21 WPIC meeting, representatives from municipal, agricultural and conservation organizations presented findings from the 2023–24 Comprehensive Water Working Group and urged the committee to prioritize coordination and practical supports.
Kelly Lynch of the Montana League of Cities and Towns emphasized municipal infrastructure needs and the importance of accessible data for local planning. Andrew Gorder of the Clark Fork Coalition described conservation priorities and recommended mechanisms for better aligning environmental and water-supply objectives. Agricultural voices, including Nicole Rolf (Montana Farm Bureau Federation) and Raylee Honeycutt (Montana Stockgrowers Association), underscored concerns about impacts to agricultural water access and the need for predictability in permitting.
Panelists and committee members discussed the importance of tailoring recommendations to local capacity and the technical challenges of integrating diverse datasets. Public commenters such as John Tubbs (Upper Missouri Waterkeeper) and Clayton Elliott (Montana Trout Unlimited) echoed concerns about protecting streamflows while acknowledging municipalities’ data and infrastructure constraints.
Committee members asked panelists for clarification on implementation pathways and available exhibits referenced by staff. The presentation aimed to inform future committee analysis rather than produce immediate policy changes.
