Irrigators plan annual meeting

 Staff Report

A Gallatin Valley irrigation group will hold its annual meeting Wednesday, giving local water users a chance to hear first-hand what state lawmakers have on their minds about current and future water issues.

The Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators consists of members from the valley's roughly 39 irrigation ditch companies and was formed in 2003 to tackle local water issues, AGAI president Walt Sales said. Since its inception, the group has played an active role in Helena and in a handful of court cases addressing water rights.

The annual membership meeting will include a panel discussion by four legislative members, most of which are part of the legislative Water Policy Interim Committee, AGAI lobbyists Krista Lee Evans said. The committee was formed during the 2007 session and is charged with studying water issues.

The panel will include local Rep. JP Pomnichowski, D-Bozeman, Rep. Chas Vincent, R-Libby, Sen. David Wanzenried, D-Missoula, and Rep. Walter McNutt, R-Sindey, according to the release. McNutt is the architect behind the 2007 Legislature's House Bill 831, which requires ground water permit seekers to scientifically prove large wells will not affect flows to surface waterways and those who rely upon the flows for their livelihood.

The meeting will also include an update on the ongoing groundwater-mapping project by the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Evans said. Research hydrologist Tom Michalek will give a presentation and answer questions on the bureau's efforts in the Gallatin Valley.

The study came out of the 2009 legislative session and includes Four Corners and the Belgrade area, according to the bureau. One of the main goals of the investigations is to determine impacts to ground water and surface water from changes in land use or irrigation practices.

The meeting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the Belgrade Senior Center, 92 Cameron Aveue. The doors open at 6 p.m., for a dessert potluck and the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit AGAI online at aginmt.com.