By Crystal Thompson
The Sage Creek Watershed Alliance was recently presented with the 2000 Montana Watershed Stewardship Award by Gov. Marc Racicot.
In a ceremony on the steps of the State Capitol, Sage Creek Watershed Alliance Chairman Tom Jurenka accepted the stewardship award which was given out by the Montana Watershed Coordination Council (MWCC). A slide show was also presented by Marlene Moon, Administrator for the Liberty County Conservation District.
The Montana Watershed Coordination Council is a statewide information and support network, which assists local watershed groups. The goal of the MWCC is to help local watersheds enhance, conserve, and protect natural resources and sustain the high quality of life in Montana.
According to the Liberty County Conservation District newsletter, MWCC Chair Mary Ellen Wolfe said "The Alliance has proved to be an effective force through their person-to-person approach and clear objectives established in their Area Wide Conservation Plan and Water Restoration Action Strategy, part of their program to address water quality concerns."
The Sage Creek Alliance is supported by the districts in Liberty and Hill Counties. Funding for its many projects is available through EPA and DNRC grants. The Sage Creek Watershed Alliance Board of Directors include, in Liberty County: Lanny Jones, Rob Moog, Larry Wood, and Joe Waldner; in Hill County: Shane Borlaug, Todd Hansen, and Gary Kapperud. District Supervisors Mike Wendland and Rodney Svenson serve as Alliance Board Directors.
The Sage Creek Alliance works hard to maintain the water quality in their conservation district.
"The alliance has been very proactive in trying to take care of water quality concern in that drainage," said Chairman Tom Jurenka.
Jurenka said the alliance has kept busy sampling wells, investigating problem areas, and monitoring saline seep.
