By Chris Nixon, Board President
Good news! Your support is returning a wetland oasis to our semi-arid environs here in Bozeman. Progress has continued to move forward on the Indreland Audubon Wetland Preserve (IAWP). Rich McEldowney and staff with Confluence Inc. have drafted the 70% design documents showing much greater detail of surface elevation changes that will be made to provide greater diversity in wetland habitat types on the preserve. The ultimate goal is to support greater species diversity and enhanced wetland services to the watershed.
The old sewer line that runs under the area has been abandoned and properly plugged to prevent it from draining the water from the area. The new sewer mainline was installed along the base of the bluff along the south of the preserve. A 12-footwide all-weather access will be maintained for necessary sewer maintenance by City of Bozeman personnel and service vehicles. It will not serve as a vehicle access for the public. Rather, in the future—after appropriate native wildflowers, grasses, and shrubs have been planted and established—this access will double as the public trail for a more intimate experience of the wetland. This of course will pose its own challenges as we all have to balance our enjoyment of the wetland without allowing ourselves and our canine friends to disturb wildlife and critical rare habitats they need for their ability to thrive.
SAS Board member Forrest Rowland and his brother Isaac Rowland installed temporary snow fencing and signage in hopes of preventing the compaction of soils in the sewer cut through the alder woodland on the northwest side of the railroad berm. We will have to heavily monitor this impacted area in the spring and coming growing seasons to prevent weed establishment and to favor natural revegetation of the impacted strip. So all of you burdock bandits and weed warriors will have job security—or rather, volunteer security—into the future. Your assistance will be greatly needed.
We are not only focusing on wetland protection within the boundaries of the IAWP. The SAS Board, SAS members, and other local organizations have been busy lobbying and informing city and county officials on the importance of wetlands within our immediate watershed and encouraging officials to take stronger measures to make certain these important wetland benefits are not lost. The benefits these wetlands provide are vital to our well being right here at home in our communities. Impacts to our wetlands and the benefits our wetlands provide should not be mitigated in a distant valley. They are needed right here at home.
Please take time to renew your SAS membership (or join) and be part of this grand adventure.