Montana officials have classified miles of the Gallatin River as “impaired” due to pollution-induced algal blooms. Montana conservation groups have found a beneficial side to the “impaired” listing, as it allows for targeted cleanup. Nutrient pollution, wastewater discharges, stormwater runoff, and fertilization are the main causes of the river’s impairment. The Montana Department of Environmental Quality made the classification after studying years of scientific data and visual evidence. The Gallatin River will undergo treatment once it receives an official designation. If approved, the cleanup plan will revitalize the health of the Gallatin from Yellowstone National Park downstream to Spanish Creek. … Continue reading Impaired but Not Hopeless: How Montana Conservation Groups are Targeting Gallatin River Pollution”