WHEREAS, water benefits all of Montana, including rural and urban domestic use, livestock and irrigation, commercial and industrial, recreation, fish and wildlife and aesthetic values; and

WHEREAS, the value of water is the foundation of Montana’s economy; and

WHEREAS, competition for clean water in Montana has been rapidly increasing as a result of coal, oil and gas production; and

WHEREAS, baseline data is critical to identifying existing quality and quantity conditions; and

WHEREAS, water quality monitoring activities and the availability of comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date information obtained through monitoring programs will be the key to sound, future management of Montana’s increasingly precious water resources;

WHEREAS, there is a statewide network of wells that is already used for other purposes for county, state or local government entities;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Conservation Districts aggressively pursues a baseline water monitoring program through private, state, and federal resources to allow Montanan’s to make water decisions and understand current conditions.