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.
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We're back with an Open House
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As 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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Thanks to all who joined!
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We 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!
