2021 Montana State Legislature
As the Watchdogs of Flathead Lake, we’re following bills in the 2021 Legislative Session that potentially impact the Flathead Watershed.
The Flathead Lakers are encouraging our members to contact their representatives, and voice their opposition of SB115.
Comments are for the Fish and Game Commission and our representatives Sen. Greg Hertz (R, Polson), Sen. Mark Blasdel (R, Kalispell), Sen. Bob Keenan (R, Bigfork).
General Legislative Questions: 406.444.3064 (or Info Desk: 406.444.4800) or submit comments via website at leg.mt.gov/web-messaging/
Development is increasing in the Flathead and other areas of the state, in part because of the attractive natural environment and quality of life. Conservation easements provide an incentive to landowners to protect critical lands that help sustain our clean water, provide valuable habitat for native fish and wildlife, and enhance recreational opportunities.
SB 115 is a barrier to protecting Montana’s special natural heritage. Read our letter.
Lakers support HB 152, for “Pull the Plug” Bill.
On Monday, we submitted comments in support of HB 152, for the “Pull the Plug” Bill, which would bring Montana into best practices for preventing AIS, and is very similar to legislation already passed in Oregon; Wyoming; Colorado; Utah; Nevada; Alberta. It is considered responsible boating behavior in the state ‘Clean Drain & Dry’ campaign. In addition, it would improve expediency and compliance at AIS Check Stations.
More information:
This bill would require that watercraft owners remove their (drain) plugs during transport in vessels that can hold standing water (ballast, bilge, etc.) that may harbor harmful aquatic invasive species such as zebra/quagga mussel larvae and aquatic plant fragments.
Zebra/quagga mussel larvae can survive in standing water for several days, making interstate travel of watercraft with standing water a high risk for Montana. In the larval stage, the zebra/quagga mussels live freely in the water column, allowing them to be easily transported to new ecosystems via ballast water.
To alleviate concerns with boats that have drain plugs that are not able to be pulled (such as pontoon style boats), this bill contains language that exempts non-pullable drain plugs. In these cases, ‘reasonable measures’ must be taken to ensure the vessel is clean, drained and dry prior to subsequent launch.
This is a ‘model law’ for aquatic invasive species (AIS) that has been and is being adopted by many jurisdictions to prevent the spread of AIS. This bill would increase consistency across western jurisdictions. It is a ‘model rule’ in western states/provinces but is not currently being implemented in Montana. Examples of other jurisdictions with Pull the Plug rule: Oregon; Wyoming; Colorado; Utah; Nevada; Alberta.
To alleviate potential concerns with enforcing this law, it is written as a ‘non-primary offense,’ meaning that watercraft owners would not be pulled over for not having their drain plug pulled (similar to the seat belt laws in Montana)
This could allow for increased efficiency at inspection stations, better compliance and reduced AIS risk