Final Element Accepted - Appendices Added

Swan Valley Regional Planning Committee

SWAN VALLEY - The final seventh element entitled Implementation was discussed, edited and accepted by the Swan Valley Regional Planning Committee at their meeting Nov. 8. The appendices, taken from text of three elements contained in the growth plan draft, were also accepted by the committee.

The committee debated about accepting committee member Diann Ericson’s submission as to how to integrate the appropriate Implementation sections into each element of the draft plan. The committee eventually agreed with committee member Sara Halm to keep the seventh element as originally written with ten sections.

“We can let the community [during the comment period] tell us what they would like to see [changed or added to] in the Implementation Element,” said Halm.

The committee retained the introductory sentence to the element which reads “The Implementation Element sets forth the processes and procedures, and identifies the partnerships and collaborations, needed to get things done.” They accepted the edits that eliminated excess verbiage from the introduction along with definitions of a goal, policy and actions.

The appendices submitted by Ericson were also accepted to be included in the draft plan. Appendices A to D cover selected sections in the first and third elements that were accepted by the committee to add further information.

Appendix A further explains Element one, Natural Resources, section entitled Surface Water Quality. It names Jim Creek as remaining on the 303(d) list of impaired water bodies; however, it is in the process of being delisted by the DEQ. While it names logging and subdivision and residential development as potentially impacting water bodies it also includes ways to keep water quality high during development.

Appendix B adds more information to Bull Trout Habitat Conservation, a section in the first element. It explains that the planning committee opted for voluntary measures in the form of best management practices (BMP). Habitat Conservation standards and guidelines developed from extensive studies in western Montana give a sound basis for BMP of bull trout habitat.

Appendix C is concerned with the section in Element one entitled Ground Water Quality. It explains that while every sewage system permit in Missoula County since 1993 has been subjected to non-degradation analysis, which measures nitrate and phosphorus levels, there has been no comprehensive ground water study done in the planning area. It reads that local residents would like to see such an investigation conducted.

Appendix D includes more information in Element three entitled Land Use in the section Regulatory Framework. It states that even though Missoula County does not have a general zoning code in the planning area, the Conservation District does employ best management practices for stabilizing slopes, protecting stream banks from erosion and protecting wetland and water quality of streams.

Lindbergh and Cygnet Lakes have a zoning district that regulates land use, minimum lot size and setbacks for structures. The two lakes along with Holland Lake have lakeshore protection standards that Missoula County administers.

It reads “the level of regulation (if any) appropriate to guide future development in a manner that will preserve and enhance the desired character, scale, and qualities of the Upper Swan will be a critical decision of planning area residents and the Community Council.”

The committee agreed that reference to the appropriate appendix will be inserted in the draft’s text.

Halm said when she inserts the pictures, the draft with the appendices will be around 28 pages.

Chair Ken Donovan also said that the Profile, which was submitted to the Swan Valley Community Council in 2010, needed to be approved by Missoula County.

The Profile explains that it “is a compilation of facts, figures and information that will be the foundation on which the community will build the Growth Plan. It will be discussed at the next meeting Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Swan Valley Community Hall.

Also at the next meeting Donovan said in an email that grammatical and structural corrections will be made to the growth plan draft. Donovan said, “We then can proceed to get it to the [Swan Valley Community Council for approval].”

After the corrections are complete and accepted, hard copies of the draft plan will be available for review at the Swan Valley Library and online. Once it is posted, the link will be shared on the Swan Valley Facebook Page. There will be a public comment period before the draft plan is sent to the SVCC for approval.

 

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