Montana’s Bedrock Clean Water Laws: Protecting the Best


IF YOU MISSED IT: Full recording here; links cited in presentation here.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear from four of Montana’s clean water heroes about the origins of the state’s bedrock clean water laws, how they’ve protected our irreplaceable water resources, and what we can do to ensure these critical tools continue to keep Montana’s rivers and streams cool, clean, and healthy.

Please join us for a Virtual Happy Hour conversation with:

  • Mae Nan Ellingson, retired lawyer and delegate to the 1972 MT Constitutional Convention where she helped author and lead the fight to secure citizens’ right to a “clean and healthful environment”
  • Justice Jim Nelson, retired Montana Supreme Court Justice who, over his 19-year tenure, participated in numerous legal decisions interpreting the “clean and healthful environment” right and enforcing Montana’s water protection laws
  • Tracy Stone-Manning, Assoc. VP for Public Lands at National Wildlife Federation; former chief of staff to MT Gov. Steve Bullock, and former director of the MT Dept. of Environmental Quality
  • Karen Knudsen, CFC executive director and veteran of countless campaigns over the last 27 years to protect clean water resources in the Clark Fork River basin.

Our panel of experts will shine a light on the creation, enforcement, and defense of Montana’s clean water laws, which are among the strongest in the country. With recent attacks on environmental protections at both the state and national level, it’s important to know more about the critical role these policies and regulations play in ensuring Montana’s iconic waters have the help they need.

We’ll also discuss what’s at stake in the 2021 Montana legislative session, as lawmakers debate numerous bills that could change how those laws are applied, and even determine the future of the laws themselves.

Join us via Zoom or Facebook at 5:00 MST, Tuesday, Feb. 2nd. This Virtual Happy Hour will include informal presentations, discussion among panelists, and time for audience Q&A. Estimated time: 90 minutes.

  • Zoom registration here. (You can also pre-submit questions via this link when you register.)
  • Or join via Facebook Live at 5:00 on the day of the event
  • Participant video and audio will be deactivated, but you will be able to submit comments/questions
  • FREE and open to the public

WHEN & WHERE:
Tuesday, February 2

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm