Monday, January 10, 2011

HB 7

LC0124
Tony Belcourt

Reclamation and development grants

3 comments:

  1. HB 7—Reclamation and Development Grants

    Noteworthy economic benefits from RDGP funding in Msla County to date:

    • Approximately 90% of the funding (RDGP funding plus additional public & private funding sources) has been spent in the private sector (services & materials), amounting to over $700,000.

    • The vast majority of the contracted services and restoration materials were supplied through local or regional contractors in western Montana, including Missoula, Hamilton, Helena-based companies.


    • Local and regional economies benefited indirectly from extended periods of non-local (regional) contractor hotel, food, and services purchases.


    Grants awarded through this bill have been instrumental in Missoula County throughout the past several years. Five Missoula County projects have been awarded over $600,000 from these funds in the past. Missoula County has partnered with Trout Unlimited to direct the grant funding towards a comprehensive mine reclamation and stream restoration effort in the Ninemile Creek watershed. Additional projects in the watershed are awaiting funding.

    These projects address a number of problems caused by mining waste in the area. The projects will provide a number of environmental benefits including significantly improved water quality, fisheries, and riparian wildlife habitat. These projects, supported by numerous funding sources and partners including Missoula County and the Lolo National Forest, have also provided the local & regional economic benefits of private sector restoration work.

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  2. Sent to Rep. Edmunds on Appropriations on 3/15/2011:

    Missoula County supports HB 7 - reclamation and development grants - before House Appropriations tomorrow morning. These grants benefit local and regional economies by directly supporting contractors in western Montana. Grants awarded through this bill have been instrumental in funding projects addressing numerous problems caused by mining waste in Missoula County and significantly improving water quality, fisheries, and riparian wildlife. As written, HB 7 will continue important reclamation efforts in the Ninemile Creek Mining District.
    Please support HB 7.
    Respectfully,
    Dale Bickell on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sent the following to Senators Wanzenried and Williams on Senate Finance:

    Missoula County supports HB 7 - reclamation and development grants - before Senate Finance on Monday morning. These grants benefit local and regional economies by directly supporting contractors in western Montana. Grants awarded through this bill have been instrumental in funding projects addressing numerous problems caused by mining waste in Missoula County and significantly improving water quality, fisheries, and riparian wildlife. As written, HB 7 will continue important reclamation efforts in the Ninemile Creek Mining District.
    Please support HB 7.
    Respectfully,
    Dale Bickell on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners

    ReplyDelete

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