Council approves framework for five-year master water service agreement with Trout Unlimited and NRD

The council concurred May 6 with a proposed five-year master water service agreement framework between Butte-Silver Bow, Trout Unlimited and the Natural Resource Damage (NRD) program designed to coordinate water releases for aquatic-resource benefits and allow partners to secure funding.

Public Works director Mark Neri said the master agreement standardizes a process the parties have used ad hoc: Trout Unlimited and NRD would request a release, state desired amounts and duration, and Butte-Silver Bow would have 45 days to agree on price and terms. "This is a master agreement that'll last for 5 years," Neri said, explaining that specific prices would be negotiated annually and that the county retains priority to meet industrial water obligations.

Commissioner Fisher pressed for clarity on who pays and how the amounts are negotiated; Brian Varkoak (NRD) described the arrangement as "an agreement to agree" that preserves a 45-day negotiation window and said prior releases have benefited aquatic resources as far downstream as Deer Lodge. Commissioners also asked about operational costs and pump schedules; public-works staff said variable-speed pumps and other upgrades should reduce energy costs but that some infrastructure work is still in progress and could affect release timing this year.

The council voted 12-0 to concur and place the communication on file. Next steps include annual price negotiations and operational coordination for any requested releases under the master agreement framework.