Voice of the River

The Quarry Development Needs More Scrutiny

by | Advocacy & Outreach, River Stories, Water Monitoring

Take Action! Make a Public Comment

Public input is crucial to ensuring that decisions about the Quarry Subdivision prioritize the health of the Gallatin River. Please join us in telling the DEQ that the project needs robust scientific analysis.

Public comments can be submitted through January 10, 2025 by email to hannah.monday@mt.gov or by mail to: Hannah Monday, PO Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620

The Gallatin River is a fragile ecosystem currently under threat. In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency approved the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) impairment designation of the Gallatin due to excessive algal growth. This algae problem underscores the river’s sensitivity and the need for responsible development in Big Sky and beyond.

Research by the Gallatin River Task Force and the DEQ suggests that the Gallatin River is nitrogen-limited, meaning that any additional nitrogen inputs could trigger further algal blooms. Algal blooms pose significant threats to river health, impacting fisheries, aquatic insects, water quality, and recreational use.

This is why the DEQ should should pump the brakes on the Quarry Subdivision. Located in Gallatin Canyon just west of U.S. Highway 191 in Big Sky, a mere 1,200 feet from the Gallatin River, the proposed development of commercial spaces, 135 single-family homes, and 130 apartments, could pose an unacceptable risk to the health of the Gallatin.

Moving forward with development served by septic systems before the centralized sewer system is operational could undermine this effort, locking the community and our treasured Gallatin River into a long-term problem with nutrient pollution and algal blooms. 

Even though the developer is going above and beyond regulation requirements by using advanced wastewater treatment methods, the risks to the river’s water quality remain a concern.

Meanwhile, in an effort to reduce nutrient pollution in the Gallatin River, a significant community effort and investment has gone into developing a centralized water and sewer system to serve Gallatin Canyon. Moving forward with development dependent on septic systems before the centralized sewer system is operational could undermine this effort, locking the community and the Gallatin River into a long-term problem with nutrient pollution and algal blooms.

The DEQ’s Environmental Assessment

The DEQ has conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA) for Phase 2 of the Quarry Subdivision, concluding that the project will result in “nonsignificant” impacts on water quality, which exempts the project from any scientific analysis under Administrative Rule 17.30.715. We think this is an irresponsible decision. Our research indicates that there is great potential for the impacts to be significant and the project should undergo robust scientific analysis.

Our Key Concerns

The Gallatin River’s Impairment Status: Excessive algae growth can harm fisheries, aquatic insects, and recreational experiences, compromising the river’s environmental, economic, and social value. Addressing this issue is critical, as even small changes in nutrient concentrations could exacerbate the problem.

Nitrogen Sensitivity: Research by the Gallatin River Task Force and the DEQ suggests that the Gallatin River is nitrogen-limited, meaning that additional nitrogen inputs could trigger further algal blooms. Septic systems from the proposed development could contribute to this nutrient load.

Proximity and Travel Time: The proposed development’s septic systems are just 23 days away from reaching the river, a short travel time that increases the likelihood of nutrient pollution directly affecting the ecosystem. While the developer’s use of advanced SepticNET systems exceeds standard requirements, it does not entirely mitigate the potential risks. Given the river’s impairment status and its sensitivity to nutrient pollution, the DEQ’s “nonsignificant” determination deserves reassessment.

Take Action! Make a Public Comment

Public input is crucial to ensuring that decisions about the Quarry Subdivision prioritize the health of the Gallatin River. Please join us in telling the DEQ that the project needs more robust scientific analysis.

Public comments can be submitted through January 10, 2025 by email to hannah.monday@mt.gov or by mail to: Hannah Monday, PO Box 200901, Helena, MT 59620

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