November 2013
Greetings!

Thank you to the many sponsors, participants, panel members, and facilitators who made the 2013 annual conference possible. 
 
The conference webpage has been updated to include the conference summary report, participant list, agenda, presentations, and breakout discussion summaries. This page seeks to capture and record the discussions and possible next steps - both for the participants who wish to help keep the conversation moving forward and the people who were unable to attend but would like to engage in the upcoming year. 

This conference featured breakout discussions on several key topics - indigenous perspectives, sustainable economies, water, working lands, and forestry. Follow those links for more information on those discussions and to stay tuned to upcoming activities.
 
The Roundtable has just added a climate adaptation library to the website. This page seeks to 1. showcase the existing efforts around the region to adapt to climate variabilities and 2. act as an emerging clearinghouse of resources. 

Friends of the Crown
Friends of the Crown is an informal network of people and organizations that support the Statement of Values and Principles

Become a Friend of the Crown and join a network of organizations & individuals working to enhance the Crown of the Continent - 
"Common vision and values encapsulate the core identity of a culture. 

[We are] proud to support this effort to clarify critical land use and stewardship understanding in order to create a sustainable, resilient, and positive future for our collective communities in the Crown." 

- Friend of the Crown





Roundtable Leadership Team:
 
Clayton Matt
Culture Co-Chair, 
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes 
 
Stephen Legault 
Conservation Co-Chair, 
Crown of the Continent Conservation Initiative
 
Mary Sexton
Community Co-Chair, 
Former Director, MT Department of Natural Resources and Conservation  
 
Dylan Boyle
Crown of the Continent Geotourism Council 
 
Anne Dahl
Swan Ecosystem Center
 
Ian Dyson 
Crown Managers Partnership,
Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development 
 
Shannon Frank 
Oldman Watershed Council 
 
Dorothy First Rider 
Kainai / Blood Tribe 
 
Dave Hillary 
Kootenay Conservation Program 
 
Alan Rollo
Sun River & Teton River Watershed Groups
 
Erin Sexton
Crown Managers Partnership, 
The University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station 
 
John T. Shannon 
U.S. Forest Service Regions 1 & 4 
 
Carole Stark
Water Matters

Paul Travis
Glacier National Park Conservancy 

Matthew McKinney
Roundtable Co-Director,
Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Policy
 
Gary Tabor
Roundtable Co-Director, 
Center for Large Landscape Conservation
Neighborhood News
The Trust for Public Land: has secured an option to purchase development rights from Stolze Lumber and permanently protect Haskill basin's clean water, recreational access, and wildlife habitat. Under this agreement, Stolze would continue to manage the land as a sustainable timber forest. Read the press release.  
 
Southwestern Crown Collaborative: will be holding its annual Adaptive Management Workshop December 11-12 at UM's Lubrecht Experimental Forest, Greenough, MT. Participants will discuss the ongoing monitoring projects of the Collaborative's Monitoring Committee and how the results can inform forest managment in the Southwestern Crown. Sessions will include socioeconomics, aquatics, wildlife, and vegetation. For more information email [email protected].
 
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation: is launching an initiative to update the Montana State Water Plan. Citizens in the Clark Fork, Yellowstone, Upper Missouri, and Lower Missouri River basin can engage in planning process and provide recommendations. Learn more.
 
U.S. Forest Service - Southwestern Crown of the Continent Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program planning update: view full pdf.
For more information on the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP), click here or contact Sandy Mack.
 
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This section features stories and updates from people and groups working around the Crown. If you didn't get a chance to speak at the conference or weren't able to attend, it's not to late to share - submit your story today!
 
Updates and stories will be included on a first come, first serve basis.
Regional News
BC water plan derided as insufficient to protect precious resource
BC released a proposal that would include groundwater regulations, increased protections for water quality, create a framework for regulating water use during shortages. Globe and Mail, October 18. Read the Water Sustainability Act proposal.

Montana State Parks looking to create statewide recreation plan
The proposed plan "recommends ways that outdoor recreation can be prioritized so that the capacity of agencies to manage recreation safely and adequately on public lands does not diminish." Public comments are due by November 18 at 5 pm. Great Falls Tribune, October 21. Read the proposed "Creating a Vibrant Future for Montana's Outdoor Recreation Heritage" plan.

Montana TU to offer reward for information on 'bucket biologists'
Montana Trout Unlimited is working closely with Fish, Wildlife and Parks to prevent illegal fish introductions, such as small-mouth bass, that threaten Montana's trout fisheries. Independent Record, October 14

Alberta rolls out conservation plan to deal with south's rapid growth
The draft South Saskatchewan Regional Plan proposes increase conservation and recreation areas and to establish frameworks for surface- and groundwater users, however, some conservation groups feel that the plan does not provide enough new protections for natural resources. Public meetings will be held in 21 communities, starting November 5. Globe and Mail, October 10. More information on the draft Regional Plan and public engagement sessions.

Flathead Land Trust, Private Landowner Protect 70 Acres on Flathead River
This agreement will permanently protect critical bull trout habitat above Flathead Lake. Flathead Beacon, October 10

Canadian mining giant to protect land north of Glacier Park
Teck Resources announced plans to buy 28 square miles of land in the Elk and Flathead River valleys for conservation purposes. Missoulian, October 18

Waterton affected by US shutdown
During the US government shutdown, joint projects between Waterton and Glacier were temporarily suspended. Pincher Creek Echo, October 9

Economist says shutdown effects on Montana hard to measure; delegation divided
Halfway through the US government shutdown, a University of Montana economist said that "the shutdown is probably having a greater impact on Montana's smaller towns" which have high percentages of federal employees or serve as gateways to national parks. Ravalli Republic, October 8

Forum relates region's open spaces to economic growth
Business and community leaders gathered to discuss the future of the Crown of the Continent and explore "whether the region's priorities are in line with some of its greatest economic assets - clean water, access to public lands, abundant wildlife and authentic towns." Flathead Beacon, October 24

Muddy Creek is clearing up: DEQ considers upgrading water-use classification
Muddy Creek has long been classified as one of Montana's worst nonpoint pollution sources. As sediment loads have been reduced from 200,000 tons annually to 27,000 tons, DEQ is reconsidering that classification. Great Falls Tribune, October 22 
Beyond the Region
North Fork Flathead protection bill gets warm reception in House
Montana Representative Daines introduced the North Fork Watershed Protection Act to the House Natural Resources Committee in early October. Missoulian, October 3

Columbia River Treaty draft recommendations released
British Columbia recently released a draft list of principles with respect to the future of the Columbia River Treaty. Residents are invited to attend workshops and provide input on the draft recommendation. Cranbrook Daily Townsman, October 17. Read the British Columbia draft recommendation. Read the U.S. draft recommendation .
Publications
EPA Report: Watershed Modeling to Assess Sensitivity of Streamflow, Nutrient, & Sediment Loads to Potential Climate Change & Urban Development in 20 US Watersheds 
Upcoming Events
Adaptive Management Workshop, Southwestern Crown Collaborative
December 11-12, UM Lubrecht Experimental Forest
For more information, contact [email protected].
The Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent provides a monthly newsletter to help connect people and organizations to news and events around the Crown. 
 
If you have an event or news item, an update from your group, or just a great picture to share, please send that information to Sue Higgins by November 22 for inclusion in the December newsletter.