Public Comment Sought on NRDP Project Proposals

The Natural Resource Damage Program wants to know what the public thinks about a dozen proposed projects designed to restore or replace lost natural resources in the upper Clark Fork River Basin.

On Nov. 10,  the Governor's Trustee Restoration Council recommended that 12 of 13 grant proposals receive funding totaling $14.9 million. A 30-day public comment period on these recommendations  runs through December 11, 2009.

"This is the most competitive grant cycle we have had to date. All but one of the projects have been recommended for at least partial funding," said Kathy Coleman of the NRD program.

For more on the projects, visit  the NRDP site and also see  CFRTAC's coverage and the Oct. 29 Montana Public Radio Commentary.

Written comments may be sent to the Natural Resource Damage Program, P.O. Box 201425, Helena, MT 59620-1425, faxed to 444-0236 or e-mailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on December 11, 2009.

Based on the comments received over the next month, both the Advisory Council and Trustee Restoration Council will make final funding recommendations to Gov. Schweitzer, who is expected to make his funding decisions in December.