Epa Oks Cleanup Plan For Clark Fork River

Tue., Dec. 1, 1998

From Staff

A cleanup plan for the Clark Fork River developed by the Tri-State Implementation Council has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The plan would reduce nutrient-loading in the river through voluntary participation by key dischargers, including the cities of Missoula, Butte and Deer Lodge, Mont., as well as the Stone Container Corp. pulp mill in Frenchtown, Mont.

The Voluntary Nutrient Reduction Program sets specific limits for phosphorous and nitrogen in the river and lays out a plan for the dischargers to reduce their share of the pollution.

“It’s commendable that the group has worked through the consensus process to come up with a shared commitment to cleaning up the river,” said Ruth Watkins, the council’s project coordinator.

The council has been working on the plan for four years. The plan also calls for the reduction of nutrients from smaller facilities, including small wastewater treatment plants, septic systems, urban development, agriculture and logging.

Phosphorous and nitrogen act like a fertilizer in the water and promote the growth of algae, which reduces the amount of oxygen needed by fish and other aquatic life.

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