Growth has become the new mining in the Clark Fork basin in terms of the most pressing threat to the watershed.  Through our RiverSmart Growth Program, we are spearheading proactive approaches to protect the river corridor as new subdivisions spring up in fast-growing western Montana valleys.

	Riparian Protections: Our Riparian Protections campaign advocates for suitable buffers between the river and human development.  Buffers reduce flood risk, protect clean water, conserve wildlife habitat, and preserve property values.  Visit the Riparian Protections webpage for up-to-date campaign info.
	Quiet Waters: Everyone deserves the chance to experience and enjoy our waterways.  In fact, at the Coalition, we've discovered that those who get out on the river are also more inclined to engage in its long-term care.  And, there was enough motorized watercraft shooting down the Clark Fork this summer to cause some consternation among river users.
	High Quality Growth: We promote local and regional policies that deliver high-quality growth to value and protect Montana’s irreplaceable rivers, lakes, and streams, and we're calling for change to amend local, regional, and state laws and policies to protect the basin's waterways and promote river-sensitive growth and development.

High Quality Growth: Poorly managed growth can lead to "death by a thousand cuts"—unchecked, poorly-situated residential or commercial growth damages water quality, paves over wildlife habitat, and diminishes the Montana way of life.  Fortunately, we are working to protect our irreplaceable rivers and streams by developing and promoting local policies to deliver high-quality growth in wesern Montana.  Our projects include promoting riparian protections in Missoula, Ravalli, Flathead Counties, advocating for proactive zonings and transportation plans, sponsoring a septic disclosure bill, and working to close the exempt well loophole.

Read more about RiverSmart Growth:

Read "Bridging the Governance Gap: Strategies to Integrate Water and Land Use Planning," a report by Sarah Bates, former CFC board member

NewWest.Net Article: The Skinny on Streamside Setbacks (2.25.08)

University of Wisconsin: Analysis of Zoning to Protect Lakefront Amenities (21 pp.)

Cleveland State University: Hedonic Analysis of Riparian/Wetland Setbacks (43 pp.)

Citizens for a Better Flathead: Compiled Research (3 pp.)

Read more about how septic systems impact our waters:

Septic Systems Impact on Surface Waters: A Review for the Inland Northwest by the Tri-State Water Quality Council (4.9 MB, 32 pp.)