itatp of Moniana 



<§Uice at tt;r (Souernor 



Helena, Montana 59620 



400-444-3 111 



TED SCHWINDEN 



GOVERNOR 



December 1988 



Dear Members of the 51^^ Legislature: 



In April 1984 I announced the initiation of a long-range 

 comprehensive study of the Clark Fork Basin. A primary goal of 

 the project has been to draw together fragmented information 

 about the river and to develop a management plan for the future. 

 I am pleased to transmit the Clark Fork Basin Project Status 

 Report and Action Plan, which is the culmination of this effort. 



This document provides a review of the resources and special 

 issues affecting the basin, a summary of efforts now underway to 

 solve problems, and recommendations for future action. Many 

 organizations and individuals have participated in this project 

 and contributed new knowledge about the basin resources. 

 Important investigations have been completed and others are 

 continuing. But most importantly, we now have a far better 

 understanding of the issues and the actions needed to solve the 

 basin's problems. 



Through public meetings and written comments many 

 individuals and organizations have offered comments on the report 

 and suggestions for future actions. Their contributions are 

 included as an integral part of the report. 



The efforts to maintain and improve the special resources of 

 the Clark Fork Basin is a complex and long-term process. Some 

 actions recommended in this report should be addressed 

 immediately, but other issues will require continued and 

 systematic efforts by citizens, legislators, and government 

 agencies over the years to come. It is essential that these 

 efforts are continued in a logical and coordinated manner. 



On behalf of all Montanans, I urge your careful 

 consideration of this report. 



TED SCHWINDEN 

 Governor 



