Strategy (I): Establish a system of water monitoring and control.

Who, what, when, how?

1. There is already testing taking place for city water in Sidney, Savage, Crane, and Fairview. MDU is also already doing water testing of the river under EPA regulations. Determine the kind of water testing being conducted.

Research completed by Water Quality Action Group. Information published in “Water Quality in Richland County” brochure and “Water Quality Information” website linked to Health Department and Conservation District sites. (Dec. 2008)

2. Investigate if oil companies have to test their environmental impact.

Research done by Water Quality Action Group and information published on “Water Quality Information” website linked to Health Department and Conservation District sites. (Dec. 2008)

3. Partner with the Conservation District (Julie Goss) to investigate the boundaries and depth of the aquifer using the existing holes that are drilled.

Aquifer study completed as of March 2008 by Conservation District.
New strategy: “Continue to seek funding and support for additional study and monitoring of the aquifer.”

4. Decide what to test for on the aquifer (temperature, contaminants, and salinity).

Done by Conservation District, also becomes action step under new strategy.

5. Find funding for water testing with possible EPA grants; partner with the Conservation District.

Limited funding is available and what is appropriate is already being pursued by various agencies including the Conservation District and area water districts.

6. Establish a flow chart of which agencies are responsible for which regulatory actions and who has what information.

Completed by Water Quality Action Group (Nov. 2008)

7. Approach Board of Health to help create this system of monitoring and control.

No problems were found with current monitoring system to warrant taking this step, change to: “If necessary, approach Board of Health to create a system of monitoring and control to address specific problems.”

Strategy (II): Provide community access to water quality findings.

1. Partner with the Conservation District to use their website to create a clearinghouse for all available data on water quality and a space for frequently asked questions.

Completed by Water Quality Action Group (Dec. 2008)

2. Continue to maintain and update the information on the Water Quality website to meet community needs for information about water quality and testing.

Water Quality Action Group - Ongoing

Strategy (III): “Continue to seek funding and support for additional study and monitoring of the aquifer.”

1. Pursue funding opportunities through agencies on the state and federal level as they become available.

Conservation District - Ongoing

2. Decide what to test for on the aquifer (temperature, contaminants, and salinity) as funding becomes available

Conservation District - Ongoing

Strategy(I): Provide community access to air quality findings.

Who, what, when, how?

1. Partner with the county website to create a clearinghouse for all available data on air quality with space allotted to answer frequently asked questions.

Strategy (II): Establish a system of air monitoring and control.

1. Talk to MDU about what they are currently testing for air quality. Research other local businesses/organizations that could be doing air quality testing and determine who does what testing in the community.

The MT DEQ has placed an air monitoring site in Sidney and publishes results on their webpage.

2. Establish a flow chart of which agencies are responsible for which regulatory actions and who has what information.

3. Determine what dirty air is: dust particulates? What are the EPA’s standards?  Research DEQ and the National Weather Service in Glasgow and Williston.

4. Approach the Board of Health to help create this system of monitoring and control.

5. Approach the Conservation District to get them on board.