Peter Nielsen helped start the Clark Fork Coalition in 1985 and was its executive director from 1986-92. He got his Master of Science Degree at the University of Montana in environmental studies. Peter led the Coalition’s initial work to negotiate a landmark settlement with the former Smurfit-Stone paper mill, restricting year-round discharge to the river and imposing the first limits on phosphorous and nitrogen discharge. Peter went on to start the Missoula Valley Water Quality District. He was instrumental in decisions to remove the Milltown and Bonner dams and clean up the PCBs at the Bonner mill. He spent a total of 32 years working to protect water resources in Missoula and the Clark Fork watershed. Recently retired, he has a lot more spare time to enjoy the rivers he worked to protect.