EBS STAFF

NorthWestern Energy announced in an Aug. 26 press release that it will hold public comment sessions to review recreational facilities on the Missouri and Madison rivers. NWE owns and operates two dams on the Madison River: Hebgen and Madison. On the Missouri River, NWE owns and operates seven: Hauser, Holter, Black Eagle, Rainbow, Cochrane, Ryan and Morony. Federal permitting requirements require the utility to improve public recreation at recreational sites along those rivers.

In partnership with the public-private Missouri-Madison River Fund, NWE has provided $6.4 million in grants to improve recreational facilities, the release said.

The energy company will hold four public comment sessions:

• September 23, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Hebgen Ranger District Office Meeting Room, 330 Gallatin Road, West Yellowstone
• September 24, 6:00-8:00 PM Conference Room Madison Valley Public Library, 210 Main St., Ennis
• Oct. 15, 6-8 p.m. Montana WILD Education Center Auditorium, 2668 Broadwater Ave., Helena
• Oct. 17, 6-8 p.m. Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center theater, 4201 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls

At each meeting, organizers will present a summary of the Missouri-Madison Comprehensive Recreation Plan and associated projects, and provide background information on use history, access, improvements, and opportunities.

“Our Montana hydroelectric plants are an incredible carbon-free resource for our Montana customers,” Andy Welch, NWE’s manager of hydrolicense compliance, said in the release. “The Missouri River and Madison River corridors where our hydroelectric plants are located are also an incredible recreational resource for Montanans and visitors. We work closely with government agency partners to provide the best possible public recreation opportunities, but we hold these meetings to give the general public a chance to voice their suggestions on what will continue to make recreational experiences in this area positive.”