|
February 24, 2009
|
Welcome
to the newsletter about all things water in Montana!
MONTANA
WATER NEWS will come your way via email every month
with fresh news about meetings and water topics that we hope
is of interest to you. If you do not want to receive this
newsletter, please scroll down and follow the directions to
unsubscribe. If you are seeing only text in this email,
or if it's not easy to read, please make sure your email program
is set to view "HTML" messages, or view
the newsletter online in the newsletter archives. |
|
| |
 |
| Visiting Kenyan Architect Promotes Drinking Water Partnership and International Goodwill |
Ronald Omyonga |
Six years ago, Ronald Omyonga, an architect and social activist from Nairobi, Kenya, wrote a proposal to Engineers Without Borders. Ronald asked for help to provide nearly 60 schools in his home district of Khwisero with groundwater wells and equipment so children could spend more time in school and less time carrying distant water to their home and family. MSU’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders assumed the project and has installed five wells at five schools since 2005. Ronald is near the end of a six week stay in Bozeman securing additional support and funds, and making the plans necessary to drill one to three new wells this summer. Ronald spent some time talking with the Montana Water Center about his work and experiences.
Q: What can the people of Bozeman and the people of Khwisero learn from each other about preserving and conserving water quality and water quantity?
A: Probably the biggest thing Bozeman people can learn from the people of Khwisero is to use water more efficiently. In Khwisero, people will use a small amount of water to do a lot of things. Related closely to that is that people here can learn the consequences of not taking care of the environment. When I was growing up in Khwisero, we had natural springs and you could drink directly from the streams. The water was clean. Forests along the river and stream banks helped filter the water. Now you have to boil it. We believe the best water is water that is moving. Now people are paying for the mistakes made in the past. Logging, cultivation, fertilizers, pesticides, overpopulation, inadequate latrines and industry all contributed to the degradation of our water in no time at all.
What the people of Khwisero can learn from Bozeman is a sensitivity to the environment. There is a movement here toward that. If Khwisero could see how people here care for the environment, they would learn and change from that and see how the actions of today have consequences for tomorrow. I also see a big spirit of volunteerism. People here are keen to help; not everyone, but many. People see a local problem and take it upon themselves to solve it.
Q: How is the Engineers Without Borders program of Montana State University students and faculty impacting your community and the schools and people of the Khwisero District?
A: The project continues to have a lot of impact on the lives of the people. In schools where they have water, girls already spend more time in class and women don't have to walk very far to get water. Just that fact alone allows more people to have more education and do other things. And health and academic performance are improving because of better water. There is also a sense of pride in schools and communities to ensure the safety of the well and the water. The entire project rebuilds community ties that were breaking down due to the stresses of life. Now people get together to discuss issues and that instills a spirit of volunteerism. When we see MSU students come here and work so hard, it means that somebody cares about us so we must be friends. And it shows us we can do more for ourselves. A wonderful cultural exchange comes about when we play, work and stay together. It contributes to global understanding.
Another aspect is that we are adding training as part of this project so people know whatever we do impacts water quality. We may include other components that focus on environment, such as reforestation. We are also experimenting with improved toilets, both composting and bio-gas toilets, to protect the underground and surface water. If they work in schools, we can install them in homes. So this program doesn't just meet a need; it is also a training program.
Q: Of all the many projects in which you have been involved, what is the most rewarding and why?
A: I get rewarded and feel happy whenever I achieve certain things. The Khwisero drinking water project is good for me because it involves me with people I have known and lived with for a long time. I see kids in school and enjoying life more and become better. I see more girls who can now attend school instead of carrying water. Another favorite was the Butere Dairy Women Economic Empowerment Project. It delivered 100 dairy cows to the local women. Right now I am working on improving housing in the developing world and look forward to the time we can start delivering houses. All of these projects get me excited to try something else.
Q: What has been the best thing about your trip to the United States?
A: I've enjoyed my time in Bozeman and the sense of community here. It reminds me of Khwisero when I was growing up. The question I am asked the most here is “Are you warm enough?” I am also amazed at the level of interest in our project and the people who help. Their generosity and desire to do something, even if they cannot make a financial contribution, is most appreciated. I am especially grateful to the students who are part of this program and work so hard. They spend so much energy and time on this; much more than I could have when I was a student. I hope they will be rewarded one day for their efforts. No words can express my gratitude, but I do want to thank the people for their help.
You can donate to the Khwisero Water Development Project by writing a check to
"Engineers Without Borders at MSU."
The mailing address is:
Engineers Without Borders at MSU
SUB Box 9
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717 |
|
| |
 |
Stewardship Award Call for Nominations
|
|
The Montana Wetland Council and the Montana Watershed Coordination Council (MWCC) will host the joint biennial Wetland and Watershed Stewardship Award Ceremony May 7, 2009 in Helena at the state capitol. Award nominations for both Wetland and Watershed Stewardship Awards are due March 2, 2009. For more information contact Lynda Saul at lsaul@mt.gov. Nomination guidelines and forms are available at http://mwcc.montana.edu. |
|
| |
Association of Montana Floodplain Managers (AMFM) Conference
|
|
The 10th Annual Association of Montana Floodplain Managers Conference will be held March 2-5, 2009 in Great Falls at the Best Western Heritage Inn. An agenda and registration form are available at: http://www.mtfloods.org/id1.html. |
|
| |
The Water Reuse Foundation Offers Research Funds
|
|
The Water Reuse Foundations has several programs that are now accepting proposals and pre-proposals that address water recycling and reuse. Some of the RFPs are appropriate for Montana. The deadline is short on most, but a complete listing of RFPs can be found at http://www.watereuse.org/foundation/research/rfps. |
|
| |
Virginia Tech Offers Undergraduate Fellowships in Watershed Sciences and Engineering
|
|
Student applications for Virginia Tech’s 10-week summer watershed sciences program are due March 2, 2009. Successful applicants will join one of the ongoing research projects in water environment sciences and engineering at Virginia Tech and conduct individual research under the supervision of one or more faculty members. More information is available at http://www.vwrrc.vt.edu/nsf_reu.html. |
|
| |
Big Sky Lecture Series
|
|
Big Sky will host three more free presentations intended to spark a community-wide dialogue about the region’s changing climate and potential impacts on water. The lecture series, “The Heat Is On: Climate Change in the Yellowstone Ecosystem,” will feature experts in ecology, economics, tourism, energy infrastructure, and sustainability practices. Presentations will be held in the Big Sky Community Library at the Ophir School. The lectures begin at 7:00 p.m. For more information go to http://www.npca.org/northernrockies/yellowstone_lecture_series.
The remaining talks in the series are:
February 26 - “Costs of Climate Change Inaction”
March 12 - “Yellowstone National Park in a Changing Climate”
March 26 - “Climate Change Solutions for the West” . |
|
| |
Energetic Person Needed to Help Lead MWCC Education Efforts
|
| Work groups are the work horses of the Montana Watershed Coordination Council (MWCC). The Education & Outreach Work Group seeks an energetic volunteer as co-chair with Kristy Zhinin of MT DEQ. The E/O Work Group is actively engaged in providing education about natural resource issues in ways that foster effective communication, coordination and networking. The co-chairs work with members to define the needs of our community-based groups and public agencies, and create educational opportunities that meet those needs. Email Alicia with questions and interest at info.mwcc@gmail.com before Monday, March 16, 2009. |
|
| |
| MWCC Training |
| The Montana Watershed Coordination Council is sponsoring its 2009 Spring Training at the Park Plaza Hotel in Helena, Montana, April 21-22, 2009. Topics include, “Building and Implementing a Watershed Management Plan,” “Watershed Assessment and Tools,” and “Legal, Financial and Institutional Frameworks for Watershed Management.” More information is coming soon. Email questions to info.mwcc@gmail.com. |
|
| |
Grant Writing Class
|
| A three day grant writing workshop will be held March 17-19, 2009 at the Yogo Inn in Lewistown, Montana. The course interweaves the grant proposal writing process and strategic planning for successful grant awards. To sign up for the class, contact Mary Jones at (406) 538-8506 or wildmissouri@tein.net. If you have questions contact Diane Nelson at (602) 906-5548 or diane_nelson@blm.gov. |
|
| |
Internship in Hydrology and Water Management
|
|
Friends of the Teton River (FTR) in Driggs, Idaho seeks an intern to conduct hydrologic and water quality monitoring programs. FTR is a research-based non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the water resources of the Teton Valley. Candidates should email a letter of interest, resume and three references to Ty Mack at ty@tetonwater.org or call (208) 354-3871 for additional information. |
|
| |
| Student Funding Opportunities: MSAWWA/Willems Scholarship |
|
The Montana Section of the American Water Works Association (MSAWWA) awards the Donald G. Willems Scholarship each year to an undergraduate or graduate student at an institute of higher learning. Their major must aim them towards employment in water and/or wastewater management. The application is due March 31, 2009, and can be downloaded from the organization’s website http://www.montana-awwa.org/scholarship_app.htm. |
|
| |
DEQ Storm Water Conference
|
|
The 2009 Storm Water Conference, “Clear Choices: Storm Water Solutions for Montana,” will be held April 7-9, 2009 at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman. The conference will include presentations on best management practices for storm water control and storm water pollution prevention. The deadline to register for the conference is April 1, 2009. For additional information go to http://www.deq.mt.gov/wqinfo/nonpoint/ClearChoices.asp, or contact Kristy Zhinin at (406) 444-7425 or kzhinin@mt.gov. |
|
| |
| AWRA Spring and Summer Specialty Conferences |
|
The 2009 American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Spring Specialty Conference, “Managing Water Resources and Development in a Changing Climate,” will be held at the Anchorage Marriott Downtown in Anchorage, AK, May 4-6, 2009.
The AWRA Summer Specialty Conference, “Adaptive Management of Water Resources II,” will be at the Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort in Snowbird, UT, June 29-July 1, 2009.
Visit the AWRA website at http://www.awra.org for more information about these and other AWRA conferences. |
|
| |
Missouri Basin Workshop
|
| The Missouri Basin Climate Variability Workshop is scheduled for Helena, Montana June 24-25, 2009. The Park Plaza Hotel currently has a block of rooms reserved for the workshop. Contact the hotel directly at http://www.parkplazamt.com if you're interested in booking a room for the workshop. More information about the workshop will be posted as it becomes available. |
|
| |
| Clean-up Day Scheduled for Lake Elwell |
|
Volunteers are needed for the Marias River Watershed and the Bureau of Reclamation sponsored clean-up of the Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell on Saturday, April 25, 2009 from 8:30-3:00 P.M. To help schedule worksites for the groups, you are asked to pre-register by contacting the administrators at any of the cooperating conservation districts: Marlene (Liberty CD 759-5778, x102); Kody (Pondera CD 278-7611, x101) or Sara (Toole CD 424-5234, x113). A barbeque will follow the clean up. Go to http://www.mariasriver.com/schedule.htm for more information. |
|
| |
Water Policy 2009
|
|
Water Policy 2009, an international conference to review water policy and integrated water management, will be held at the Czech University of Life Sciences (CULS) in Prague in June 2009. Scholars, researchers and graduate students are invited. For more information or registration, visit the conference website at http://www.fzp.czu.cz/wp2009, or email waterpolicy@fzp.czu.cz |
|
| |
 |
| MWCC Meeting Notes |
| Summary notes from the January 2009 Montana Watershed Coordination Council (MWCC) quarterly meeting are now available at http://mwcc.montana.edu. |
|
| |
| Native Fish Project |
|
The Montana Native Fish Education Project, sponsored by The Clark Fork Coalition, is a program to assist protecting and restoring Montana's native coldwater trout, with emphasis on the threatened bull trout and the rare cutthroat trout. The project is coordinated by long-time bull trout advocates Mike Bader and Jack Tuholske of Missoula, Montana. For more information about its efforts, visit http://www.clarkfork.org/programs/nativefished.html. |
|
| |
| Wetland Report |
Perch at Shepherd Research Center |
A report describing the surprising growth rate of perch in a wetland designed to mediate nutrient surges associated with agricultural runoff at the Shepherd Research Center east of Billings is available through Floating Island International's website. The Center outlines planned research to track fish, plant and wildlife health associated with the wetland, which includes a covering of about one percent of its surface area with floating islands. Nutrient and dissolved oxygen levels are also being tracked. The full report is available at http://floatingislandinternational.com/pdf/Perch-at-Shepherd.docx.pdf [1 MB PDF]. |
|
| |
| Managing in Hard Times |
|
Managing in Hard Times is a free workbook that provides the best practices and tools for managers of environmental and conservation nonprofits in challenging economic times. The workbook tools include step-by-step instructions to assess your financial situation, sample contingency budgets, and more. Download the PDF at http://www.icl.org/toolkits/hard-times.php or call (301) 270-1547 to order one of the limited supplies of print copies available for $9.00. |
|
| |
| Essential Water Reference |
|
The World’s Water 2008-2009, the sixth volume in the series by Peter Gleick of the Pacific Institute, is now available. The book addresses the ever-more-pressing issues of our use and misuse of the world’s freshwater. Topics range from peak water, China’s water crisis, and climate change impacts and adaptations, to updates on the Millennium Development Goals, business reporting on water, and urban water use efficiency. Order online from Island Press or contact the Chicago Distribution Center at (800) 621-2736, or custserv@press.uchicago.edu. Visit http://www.worldwater.org for more information. |
|
| |
| Public Service Announcements Aid Community Water Protection |
|
The National Environmental Services Center [NESC] at West Virginia University has made available three video public service announcements (PSAs), about the importance of septic system maintenance to the homeowner, the environment and water quality. NESC encourages communities to freely use the PSAs as part of a public awareness campaign to protect source water. View and download the videos at http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/subpages/psa.cfm. |
|
| |
Do
you have more news?
The Montana Water Center News welcomes your stories about water and water issues that face Montana. If you have a short story you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send your information to water@montana.edu. |
|
| |
 |
Take
special note of upcoming national and local water meetings
on the Events
Calendar at MONTANA WATER. |
 Big Sky Lecture Series on Climate Change: Costs of Climate Change Inaction, Big Sky, February 26, 2009 [INFO] |
| 10th Annual Association of Montana Floodplain Managers Conference, Great Falls, March 2-5, 2009 [INFO] |
| Big Sky Lecture Series on Climate Change: Yellowstone National Park in a Changing Climate, Big Sky, March 12, 2009 [INFO] |
| Grant Writing Workshop, Lewistown, March 17-19, 2009 [INFO] |
| ArcGIS 9 for Fisheries and Wildlife Biology Applications, Olympia, WA, March 24-26, 2009 [INFO] |
MRNRC Conference & BiOp Forum, Billings, March 25-27, 2009 [INFO] |
| Big Sky Lecture Series on Climate Change: Climate Change Solutions for the West, Big Sky, March 26, 2009 [INFO] |
Clear Choices: Storm Water Solutions for Montana, Bozeman, April 7-9, 2009 [INFO] |
| 2009 MWCC Spring Training, Helena, April 21-22, 2009 [INFO] |
| Clean Marias Green: Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell Clean-up Day, Tiber Reservoir, April 25, 2009 [INFO] |
|
|
