Wetland Code Update
The City began looking at an update to the wetland code years ago with the goal of encouraging local wetland preservation and creating a "wetland bank." Wetland banking is the restoration, creation or enhancement of wetlands for the purpose of compensating for unavoidable impacts to wetlands at another location. Wetland mitigation is commonly used to compensate for wetland impacts from development (Natural Resources Conservation Service).
Recent legal changes, including Montana Senate Bill 382 and Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, have impacted the city’s efforts. Notably, the Sackett decision removed federal protections for many of the nation’s wetlands and left management of these areas to states and local governments.
The Wetland Code Update project will focus on the details of how to mitigate wetland impacts locally around Bozeman rather than far outside city limits, with an emphasis on providing the greatest positive benefit to ecological resources.
The City began looking at an update to the wetland code years ago with the goal of encouraging local wetland preservation and creating a "wetland bank." Wetland banking is the restoration, creation or enhancement of wetlands for the purpose of compensating for unavoidable impacts to wetlands at another location. Wetland mitigation is commonly used to compensate for wetland impacts from development (Natural Resources Conservation Service).
Recent legal changes, including Montana Senate Bill 382 and Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, have impacted the city’s efforts. Notably, the Sackett decision removed federal protections for many of the nation’s wetlands and left management of these areas to states and local governments.
The Wetland Code Update project will focus on the details of how to mitigate wetland impacts locally around Bozeman rather than far outside city limits, with an emphasis on providing the greatest positive benefit to ecological resources.
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August 18 Community Development Board Meeting Cancelled
Share August 18 Community Development Board Meeting Cancelled on Facebook Share August 18 Community Development Board Meeting Cancelled on Twitter Share August 18 Community Development Board Meeting Cancelled on Linkedin Email August 18 Community Development Board Meeting Cancelled linkHeads up, the August 18 Community Development Board Meeting has been cancelled. The Wetlands Ordinace will now be discussed at the Community Development Board Meeting on September 8 at 6pm at City Hall.
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Wetlands & Watercourse Draft Available
Share Wetlands & Watercourse Draft Available on Facebook Share Wetlands & Watercourse Draft Available on Twitter Share Wetlands & Watercourse Draft Available on Linkedin Email Wetlands & Watercourse Draft Available linkThe draft text for the Wetlands and Watercourse ordinance is now available to be reviewed in the Documents section of this page. Updating this code language is key step in completing a City Commission priority. This update is needed to align with recent changes in legal requirements, emphasize the avoidance of impacts and improve coordination across related wetland, watercourse, and agricultural water user facility code language.
The revised draft builds on public feedback received, with input helping to shape the proposed changes. Any approved code will be integrated into the Unified Development Code (UDC) update before Commission action the UDC.
A formal ordinance will be drafted ahead of the upcoming City Commission public hearing on September 9. Community members are encouraged to stay engaged—public comment continues to play a vital role in the process. The next public meeting you're invited to attend is the Community Development Board Meeting on August 18 at 6pm.
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We're back with an Open House
Share We're back with an Open House on Facebook Share We're back with an Open House on Twitter Share We're back with an Open House on Linkedin Email We're back with an Open House linkAs you might remember, in December 2023, City Commission paused the Wetland Code Update project to allow for more public engagement and an expanded scope of the project. As we resume this project, we're kicking off with an open house to gather input on March 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Center in the Community Room. The meeting will begin with a presentation followed by breakout Q&A discussion. Take a look on the right sidebar to learn about the projected timeline for the project.
Some background on the project to get you up-to-speed.
In 2022, City Commission set a Commission Priority to enhance local mitigation of wetland impacts through support for creation of a local Wetland Bank. Sacajawea Audubon Society (SAS) was in the process of creating a wetland bank on the east side of town, therefore staff’s approach to meeting this priority was to assist the creation of the bank through review and permitting and follow that with an update to our Wetland Code that would achieve the goal of directing more local mitigation of impacts to said bank.
City staff brought a final draft of the proposed code update through public engagement, advisory board review, and ultimately Commission adoption in December 2023. While Commission expressed appreciation of the work completed, they ultimately chose to pause adoption of the proposed code revision after hearing public interest in expanding the scope of the project to include additional focus on avoiding and minimizing wetland impacts.
The city intends to bring updates to Wetland and Watercourse sections on the Unified Development Code in June 2025, ahead of the city’s ongoing project to broadly revise the UDC.
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Engagement Continues, Dates TBD
Share Engagement Continues, Dates TBD on Facebook Share Engagement Continues, Dates TBD on Twitter Share Engagement Continues, Dates TBD on Linkedin Email Engagement Continues, Dates TBD linkOne of the things we heard in the recent Community Development Board meeting was a desire to lengthen the timeline of this project to allow for more engagement. As a result, we have adjusted the key dates for this project. We will no longer be going to Commission in December and will be back in touch as we create a new timeline for the project and develop additional opportunities to give feedback. This is expected to happen in 2024, so feel free to take your time reviewing the draft code and thinking about this work! Thanks again for all your interest.
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Draft Code is Here!
Share Draft Code is Here! on Facebook Share Draft Code is Here! on Twitter Share Draft Code is Here! on Linkedin Email Draft Code is Here! linkThe Community Development Board is reviewing the draft wetland code tonight! View the draft code and provide public comment by attending the meeting (at 6 p.m. at City Hall - 121 N Rouse Ave) or emailing agenda@bozeman.net.
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Thanks to all who joined!
Share Thanks to all who joined! on Facebook Share Thanks to all who joined! on Twitter Share Thanks to all who joined! on Linkedin Email Thanks to all who joined! linkWe heard so much great feedback at our public meetings on the wetland code. Thanks to all who made it out for both the virtual and in-person meetings!
In case you missed these events, you can watch a recording of the virtual meeting here.
We know many of you have been tracking the important dates to be aware of. Please see the sidebar for key dates and opportunities to have your voice heard by Community Development Board and City Commission. We'll also be uploading important documents, such as the draft code, in the coming weeks.
We look forward to hearing more from you. Thanks again for your interest in this project! -
Join us at our public meetings!
Share Join us at our public meetings! on Facebook Share Join us at our public meetings! on Twitter Share Join us at our public meetings! on Linkedin Email Join us at our public meetings! linkMark your calendars! The project team invites all members of the public to learn more about this work and provide input. Staff will host two meetings:
- Thursday, October 5 at 12 p.m. on Zoom – Register to attend and get joining info here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcucuCqrj8uE9IInrY6NbjT8WpuAtJta4eI
- Thursday, October 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Bozeman Public Library, 626 E Main Street
Meetings will begin with a presentation followed by breakout groups. Hope to see you there!
Follow Project
Timeline
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September-December 2023
Wetland Code Update has finished this stageProject begins and city staff host two public meetings. The draft code is shared to the public and Community Development Board. City Commission ultimately pauses adoption of the proposed code revision after hearing public interest in expanding the scope of the project to include additional focus on avoiding and minimizing wetland impacts.
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March-April 2025
Wetland Code Update has finished this stageThe project resumes with public engagement and a public meeting to propose code revisions to the community. City staff, with support from consultant, finalizes draft code revision and completes advertising/noticing of proposed code revisions.
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August-September 2025
Wetland Code Update is currently at this stageCity staff present proposed code revisions to City boards and City Commission.
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October 2025 and Implementation
this is an upcoming stage for Wetland Code UpdateEffective date of code revision, if adopted. Implementation guidance through Commission Resolution to follow.
Key Dates
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September 09 2025
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September 08 2025
Documents
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Wetland and Watercourse Ordinance DRAFT 7 29 25 for Public Review (2.1 MB) (pdf)
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23309 Wetlands Public Notice Web Ad 7-23-2025 (112 KB) (pdf)
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Wetlands draft code_38.610 for Oct 5th Public Meeting (310 KB) (pdf)
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Wetlands draft code_38.220.130 for Oct 5th Public Meeting (199 KB) (pdf)
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Wetland Protection Mitigation Code Revision Meeting Minutes.pdf (518 KB) (pdf)
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Open House slides 3-27-25 (3.58 MB) (pptx)
Who's Listening
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Director of Transportation and Engineering
NREmail nross@Bozeman.net -
City Engineer
SK -
Project Engineer
BH