Montana News Roundup: Koocanusa Contamination Debate

Lincoln County commissioners are once more asking the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to ease the standards for selenium contamination in Lake Koocanusa,  saying tougher rules are going to make it tougher for the local economy.

The question of selenium in the lake that straddles the Montana-BC border has been a hot-button item for the past several years, even since elevated levels of mineral were found to be settling in the lake from the upper Kootenai River. Researchers say that's coming from extensive coal mining operations north of the border in the Elk River Valley.

While selenium is a naturally occurring mineral and can actually be useful for human health in tiny amounts, government leaders, including the area tribes, are concerned about the elevated levels in the reservoir.

A suit is asking the level be raised from .8 micrograms per liter, to the federal standard of 1.5 micrograms. The commissioners made a similar appeal in 2021.

DEQ has a public hearing in Helena on August 13th.

Fire season paused, but not gone

The cooler weather in the first half of the week has made a huge difference for the fire season, with fire crews able to catch up on their work.

In fact, Montana DNRC says the number of active fires in the state dropped to just 30 yesterday, one of the lowest totals in several weeks, with just 2 new fire starts across Montana. There have been over 1200 wildfire incidents this year, and there is concern about the continued threat, with hotter, drier weather in the forecast next week.

Deer Fire containment expands

That last large blaze, the Deer Fire east of Missoula, is now 40% contained as of Wednesday evening. Firefighters have been able to keep the size of the fire down to 75 acres with 200 personnel still working the blaze.

     Crews have cut a sawline completely around the fire, and are working to finish handlines and conduct further mop-up operations.

Good news on Flathead Lake

The cool weather and some showers are easing some of the concern about levels on Flathead Lake and the lower river. Energy Keepers had predicted earlier that the lake could be as much as 3 feet below "full pool" in August, even getting permission to adjust dam operations in Polson to compensate.

But the latest streamflow forecast is showing the water level in the lake should be able to stay in the top 12 inches near "full pool" through August, and then about 18 inches after Labor Day.

Reminder about Missoula Airport disruption

Air travelers hoping to fly into, or out of Western Montana, will have to add some driving to Spokane, Kalispell, or even Bozeman if they're traveling in September.

Missoula Montana Airport first announced the week-long closure of the main runway for maintenance last year, and now they're reminding people of the shutdown, as Ace Sauerwein reports.

Deer Lodge water update

We hope to hear more information today on when watering restrictions will be lifted in Deer Lodge, not because of drought conditions, but because a piece of electrical equipment failed, causing a major problem for pumping water.

The city ordered the restrictions yesterday, after a power transfer box failed, forcing the use of a portable generator to manually operate a well. The restrictions cover outdoor watering, sprinkler use, washing cars, and other activities. Indoor water use is still ok.

Business roundtable set in Butte

There's a lot on the business horizon right now in Montana, from the just-completed legislative session and the implementation of new regulations, to the changes coming out of Washington, D.C. And there are ongoing questions, too, from income and property taxes, to the rising cost of living and operating a business.

     Tom O'Neill reports an upcoming seminar in Butte aims to dive into an active discussion of what's ahead.