Gunderson picked to chair legislature's Environmental Quality Council

The Montana Legislature's Environmental Quality Council recently held its first interim meeting to discuss the work plan.

The committee is comprised of 12 members of the Legislature and four members of the public and one non-voting representative from the Governor’s office.

Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-Libby) was unanimously elected as chairman.

”I have been incredibly fortunate to serve on EQC since my first term in the legislature, said Gunderson. “I’m looking forward to working with the council members over the next year to craft rules, policies and legislation to better serve Montana.

The council has authority to oversee the state Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, as well as entities attached to those agencies. This authority allows them broad authority to review any topic throughout the interim.

One of the most important issues before the committee will be their study (HJ 18). This study will focus on finding solutions to the Smurfit Stone contamination of the Clark Fork river. The council will use this study to help citizens and incoming legislators address a future National Priorities Superfund site.

It will also address numerous topics including air quality, mining, minerals, fire season, drought, forestry wolves, elk, grizzly bear management, Libby Asbestos, Chronic Wasting Disease, agency statutory administrative rule review and oversight and keeps a close eye on many federal agencies including U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Land Management.

The council will next meet on Sept. 27-28. The public is welcome to join the meeting and comment.

Meetings are always available to be streamed live on www.leg.mt.gov and broadcast on the Montana Public Affairs Network (MPAN) if you wish to view only.

An archived recording of meetings will also be made immediately available on www.leg.mt.gov.

All meeting materials are available on the EQC website at http://leg.mt.gov/eqc.