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Breakout Sessions



 Breakout Sessions - Set A

Breakout-1A
Building Local Business through Restoration

Restoration Funding/Economic development and employment: This breakout will look at the economic impacts of restoration. Its objective is to provide recommendations for incentives for businesses and investment in areas such as re-development, ecological "renaturalization," beautification, and restoration of disturbed landscapes.

Panelists will frame the issue of economic development through restoration by describing the current condition of Montana's economy and the drivers of investment; the types and number of jobs in existing restoration projects; and business opportunities in restoration. This panel will also describe and define mechanisms to fund restoration initiatives, education, training and community involvement.

Case Study: Lower Clark Fork River
Moderator: Tom Kaiserski, Governor’s Office of Economic Development
Panelists:
  • Jan Brown, Yellowstone Business Partnership: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Marnie Criley, Wildlands CPR: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Heidi DeArment, Clark Fork Coalition: Presentation (PDF format)

Breakout-2A
Enhancing Restoration's Workforce, Science, and Technology

With the continued growth of the restoration economy there is strong demand for a trained and educated restoration workforce, as well as new and innovative restoration technologies.

Panelists will provide insight into the education, research, and technology needs of the industry from education, governmental, and private sector perspectives.

The focus of this work session is the identification of priority training, research, and technology to advance restoration practices. Its objective is to provide priorities for research activities, professional workforce training, and the opportunities to develop new technologies that can be marketed within and outside of Montana to conduct restoration activities.

Moderator: Pete Knudsen, Montana Tech
Panelists:
  • Seth Make-Peace, Salish-Kootenai Tribe: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Bill Woessner, Center for Riverine Science, UM-Missoula: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Jon Wraith, Land Resources and Environmental Science, MSU-Bozeman: Presentation (PDF format)

Breakout-3A
Restoration and wildlife habitat

Montana is rich in fish and wildlife habitat but unfortunately not in the funds needed to address all species successfully. This breakout will examine Montana's grassland complexes, one of Montana's most critical wildlife habitats, and the areas of the state where it is found. Montana's grassland complexes comprise more than 31 million acres, or more than one-third of Montana and harbor more than 30 wildlife species in need of conservation.

Panelists will establish that grassland complexes (one of seven habitat community types identified in Montana's recently completed Comprehensive Fish and Wildlife Strategy as in the greatest need of conservation) can and are being successfully restored and conserved using integrated restoration.

The work group will seek to establish priorities and incentives for integrated grassland revitalization that (1) recognizes the social, economic and environmental benefits from integrated restoration, (2) leverage funds from multiple sources and programs, and (3) promoted incentives for private landowners to restore or protect native grasslands; (4) promote broad partnerships with state and federal agencies, agricultural and conservation groups, and landowners to restore wildlife connectivity; (5) support government and private conservation activities that encourage sustainable land management practices.

Case Study: Grassland Complexes
Moderator: Jeff Hagener, Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Panelists:
  • Rich Bechtel, National Wildlife Federation: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Debbie Hohler, Natural Resources Conservation Service: Presentation (PDF format)
  • T.O. Smith, Fish, Wildlife and Parks: Presentation (PDF format)

Breakout-4A
Restoring Our Rangelands, Farms and Rural Economies

Agriculture is Montana's number one industry. This panel will define the current status of this industry in the state and the needs for restoring lands and water resources so as to enhance productivity and sustainability of these resources.

The work group objective is to provide priorities and considerations for the long-term sustainable use of Montana’s grassland ecosystems. This includes product market development, best practice management approaches, and science based specie applications to support both livestock, wildlife and sustain eastern Montana's rural lifestyles

Case Study: Fort Peck Rangeland Inventory
Moderator: Joel Clairmont, Dept. of Agriculture
Panelists:
  • Dan Teigen
  • Ross Racine, Intertribal Agriculture Council

Breakout-5A
Restoring Our Forests

This breakout will examine the opportunities to restore forest conditions and ecological functions via active intervention.

Panelists will describe the current condition of Montana’s forests to see where challenges and opportunities are greatest; the requirements to successfully operate a timber producing business; opportunities for stewardship contracting on National Forests; and current successes in restoring forested watersheds.

The work group will seek to identify principles and priorities for the active stewardship of forests on public and private lands that meet both the human and ecological needs of Montanan’s forests and their surrounding communities.

Case Study: Clearwater Stewardship Project: Presentation (PDF format)
Moderator: Bob Harrington, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Panelists:
  • Tom France, National Wildlife Federation: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Tim Love, US Forest Service: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Gordy Sanders, Pyramid Mountain Lumber: Presentation (PDF format)

Breakout-6A
Historical Mining Impacts – Remedy and Restoration

Montana's historical mining, milling and smelting industries have imparted a legacy of contaminated lands and waters. There is an estimated 6000 abandoned metal mines and associated infrastructure in this state; the largest of these have been listed as federal Superfund Sites.

The remediation and restoration of the sites represents a significant investment of governmental and private sector spending. This panel will describe remedial and restoration activities and define improvement to the environment, reductions of human health risks, educational impacts, and plans for the future.

Work group participants will seek to identify barriers and disincentives to historical impact remedies; better ways to leverage new and existing remedial investments and principles for public policy that will create jobs and accelerate the clean-up of Montana's landscapes.

Case Study: Silver Bow Creek Cleanup
Moderator: Vic Andersen, Dept. of Environmental Quality
Panelists:
  • Matt Clifford, Clark Fork Coalition
  • Carol Fox, Natural Resource Damage Program
  • Larry Jones, Helena Sand and Gravel: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Dan Villa, State of Montana Representative: Presentation (PDF format)

 Breakout Sessions - Set B

Breakout-1B
Restoration in an Urban Environment: Community Revitalization & Empowerment

This breakout will establish why Montana cities and towns seeking to revitalize their communities should begin to align integrated restoration principles with plans for affordable housing, clean and safe neighborhoods, and local businesses and economic development. Panelists will describe how local citizens and business leaders of Lewistown, Montana joined forces with scientists, labor, a restoration business, and public agencies to restore Big Spring Creek, and in turn sparked a revitalization of the community's social and economic capitol. The work group will determine how other Montana communities can match the Lewistown experience by setting priorities and incentives for community cooperation based on engaging local citizens, educators, civic groups, and government agencies at the planning and development stage of the restoration and revitalization process.

Case Study: Brewery Flats
Moderator: Ted Hawn, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Panelists:
  • Karl Gies, Big Spring Creek Watershed Partnership: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Mark Lere, Fish, Wildlife and Parks: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Kevin Myhre, City Manager of Lewistown

Breakout-2B
Restoration and Quality of Life—Why People and Businesses Choose Montana

This breakout will examine how ecological integrity, healthy fish and wildlife populations, and access to natural landscapes and public lands contribute to Montana's quality of life and economic growth.

Panelists will describe how natural amenities are leading to an influx of people and new businesses and explain how Montana communities can capture and capitalize on demographic trends creating communities that prosper.

The work group will seek to establish priorities and incentives for integrated revitalization that considers a community's social and economic capital along with environmental restoration. The aim will be to: (1) recognize the social, economic and environmental benefits from integrated restoration, (2) leverage funds from multiple sources and programs, and (3) establish new partnerships among government agencies, non-government organizations, labor, and private-sector businesses.

Case Study: Montana Challenge
Moderator: SuzAnne Miller, Dunrovin Research
Panelists:
  • Pat Flowers, Fish, Wildlife and Parks
  • Cindy Swanson, US Forest Service
  • Dave Stauffer, Dave Stauffer Consulting: Presentation (PDF format)

Breakout-3B
Resource Development

Montana is rich in natural resources – coal, minerals, timber, gas, oil and other commodities represent major economic engines. Society is demanding that development of these resources be conducted in environmentally benign ways.

This panel will describe the present economic, regulatory, and environmental conditions that control these industries and outline the needs of effective reclamation. Panelists will evaluate reclamation plan components that have contributed to the overall success or malfunction of coal and mining restoration in Montana.

The work group objective is to suggest ways to enhance development that will improve long-term profitability, provide stable communities, and restore and protect lands and waters from deleterious impacts.

Case Study: Stillwater Mine
Moderator: Richard Opper, Dept. of Environmental Quality
Panelists:
  • Bob Montgomery, Western Energy Company: Presentation (PDF format)
  • John Wheaton, Montana Bureau of Mines & Geology: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Bruce Gilbert, Stillwater Mining

Breakout-4B
Invasive Plant Species

Changing land use in Montana – changes in natural resource-related industries, modifications of grazing patterns, growth of urban/suburban areas, recreation, and tourism, etc. – affects the introduction and spread of invasive plants. The panel will discuss the threat of invasive plants to agriculture, recreation, and native ecosystems. The panel will describe informational and financial resources that prevent and manage invasive plants in Montana.

The work groups will seek to define long-term, sustainable programs or policies that support the protection of Montana’s human and natural resources from the impacts of invasive plants.

Moderator: Janet Clark, Director, Center for Invasive Plant Management, MSU-Bozeman
Panelists:
  • Dave Burch, Dept. of Agriculture
  • Loran Frazier, Dept. of Transportation
  • Eric Lane, Colorado Dept. of Agriculture
  • Marilyn Marler, Division of Biological Sciences, UM-Missoula

Breakout-5B
Restoring Our Watersheds

Montana is unique in that it is the headwaters of watersheds that enter the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and Hudson Bay. Water is the most precious resource in this state and it is impacted by resource extraction, urbanization, agriculture, recreation, down stream demands, and other multiple stresses.

This breakout will examine the progress and challenges in river, riparian, and watershed restoration in Montana's Blackfoot Watershed.

Panelists will examine the multiple dimensions of watershed restoration and the complexity of work that must be accomplished, such as the difficulties and opportunities associated with private-land ownership or an endangered species listing., The panel will also discuss methods to create incentives for long-established ranching families, new landowners, conservationists, businesses and government agencies to work together to establish and reach for mutual watershed protection goals.

The work group will seek to identify principles and priorities for state and national policies needed to advance and sustain watershed health, revitalize small rural towns, and maintain clean water in Montana. The group will strive to integrate public land and private land needs in a manner that meets the ecological demands of the watershed and offers social and economic benefits to the local communities.

Case Study: Blackfoot Challenge
Moderator: Gretchen Rupp, Montana Water Center, MSU-Bozeman
Panelists:
  • Ryen Aasheim, Montana Trout Unlimited: Presentation (PDF format)
  • Ron Pierce, Fish, Wildlife and Parks
  • David Mannix, Mannix Brother Ranch, Blackfoot Challenge, Habitat and Water Quality Restoration Committee
  • Jim Stone, Rolling Stone Ranch, Blackfoot Challenge