| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Amy Bamber |
| March 13, 2008 | (406) 444-3144 |
Plan to Test Water for Pesticides in Bitterroot
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Agriculture will host a question-and-answer session at the Hamilton Middle School Auditorium on March 24 at 7:00 p.m. Hydrologists will discuss plans for groundwater and surface water monitoring of pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides) in the Bitterroot Valley during the summer of 2008.
The department supports the safe and legal use of pesticides but also understands the need for protecting our water resources. Water monitoring is conducted across the state to ensure that no adverse impacts are occurring to Montana’s water resources from the use of pesticides.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the 2008 water monitoring project in the Bitterroot Valley with interested members of the community. Monitoring will largely take place on the valley floor from Lolo to Darby. Groundwater samples will be collected from shallow private wells, and surface water samples will be collected from the Bitterroot River as well as some of its tributaries.
The meeting will be hosted by Montana Department of Agriculture hydrologists Rick Mulder and Christian Schmidt. If you have an interest in water quality or have questions, comments, or concerns for the department, please attend this meeting. The Hamilton Middle School is located at 209 South 5th St. For more information, contact the Montana Department of Agriculture at (406) 444-5400 or by email at agr@mt.gov
