If temperatures continue to rise at the current rate, the Rocky Mountain West could lose half of its trout waters by the turn of the century Bruce Farling, Montana Trout Unlimited's executive director, told a group gathered in Missoula.
That news was met by nearly 75 grim faces at a luncheon titled “Low Flows, Hot Trout: Climate Change and the Future of Our Hometown Rivers” at the Florence Building on Monday.
Trout and anglers won't be alone in their suffering if climate change continues unchecked, Farling said.
Montana's economy is dependent on its snowpack. The state counts on the water that snowpack produces to grow its crops, attract tourists all year round, and turn generators to produce power.
In western Montana, 90 percent of the economy is snowpack-based, Farling said.
That snowpack is disappearing earlier every year as temperatures increase.
Almost on cue, the thermometer teetered near 90 on Monday afternoon in Missoula. The average for this time of year is closer to the mid-70s.
The most fundamental signal of climatic change for Montana will center on the state's snowpack, Running said.
The average peak of Montana's snowpack has traditionally been around April 1, but that date has been coming earlier and earlier as temperatures edged upward, especially in March, Running said.
Most of Montana's weather reporting stations have recorded an increase in mean temperatures of a degree or two over the past 50 years.
“By far the most amazing climate statistic generated has been what's happened to temperatures in March,” Running said.
On both sides of the Continental Divide, March temperatures have soared by 5 degrees in the same half century. Considering the fact that climatologists typically look at changes closer to tenths of a degree, Running said that kind of increase is “just stunning.”
At least in part, that change is occurring because the state's snowpack is disappearing earlier.
When snow covers the ground, it reflects much of the sun's energy. Bare ground, on the other hand, absorbs more of that energy and results in increased temperatures, Running said.
As a result, the snowpack melts earlier, river flows peak sooner and forests dry out quicker, resulting in a longer wildfire season.
If the current trend continues, Running said in 50 years skiers will have to be trudging through 50 meters of mud to get to the lodge at Snowbowl on April 1.
Missoula has lost 23 inches of wintertime snowfall in the past half century. That average includes the “monster snow year” of 1997, Running said.
The loss doesn't necessarily translate to less precipitation. Running said Missoula has actually gained a bit of precipitation over the same time period. It just didn't come in the form of snow.
Warmer temperatures also dry out the landscape faster.
“We'd probably need something like a couple of inches per year to make up for the drying effect of higher temperatures,” he said.
As the snowpack retreats up the mountainsides earlier each season, wildfire has followed.
The biggest increase in wildfire has come at the 6,000- to 7,000-foot level, Running said. Subalpine fir - which was once buried under snow until mid-July - is now going up in smoke.
Wildfires are getting bigger and lasting longer.
“The last three to five years has just murdered the average,” Running said. � alone more than doubled the 10-year average.”
Global warming isn't something new. Running said the trends started edging upward in about 1985.
“The current trajectory of global warming started about 25 years ago,” Running said. “We've been in this for a long, long time.”
But there is hope.
Running predicts that within 10 years, technology will be developed to solve global warming. But he's less convinced there will be the kind of international leadership needed to make it happen.
“Every country in the world would have to change,” he said. “We would have to lead it. We started this mess. Š I'm just not convinced at all that there's the political will to make it happen.”
That change can start at the local level and the city of Missoula hopes to lead the way.
The city has already begun a variety of ventures in recycling and encouraging nonmotorized transit, Engen said. It lights its offices with compact fluorescent fixtures and heats its maintenance shop by burning waste oil. The city also is considering a plan to recycle nitrogen from its wastewater plant to grow poplars, he said.
Fifty years ago, Engen said, Missoula residents used the Clark Fork River as a dump. At some point, people realized the river was something that needed protection and they began to pay attention.
Missoula residents are still paying attention to their natural environment. Just last year, residents voted a $20 million bond to protect some of those important natural assets, Engen said.
By PERRY BACKUS of the Missoulian
Small storm whips up at City Council
Stormy weather Monday night in Missoula reflected some light turbulence within City Council Chambers the same evening.
Council members didn't lob insults as colorful as the ones state legislators tossed during the 2007 Montana Legislature, but during their scheduled Monday night meeting some elected officials did manage to squabble while taking care of business.
Ward 2's John Hendrickson took Ward 3's Bob Jaffe to task for admitting in his e-mail listserv he doesn't always stop at stop signs while cycling.
Jaffe sends out a regular e-mail of government happenings, and one recent update has spurred a flurry of online debate over cycling in the Garden City. Here's a snippet of Jaffe's update: “I think it is absurd to expect bikes to stop at all stop signs. Jim Nugent, the city attorney, is the only person I know who does that. And I bet he runs them when no one is looking.”
Hendrickson said stopping at stop signs is the law, and a city leader should not advocate breaking the law. He also said he resented being labeled an anti-cyclist, as he supports various modes of transportation, including biking.
Then, Council President Ed Childers scolded Hendrickson. Ward 6's Childers, overseeing Monday's meeting in the mayor's absence, called for increased decorum among City Council members. He said it would be fair to first hear Jaffe's comments on the matter. Subsequently, however, Childers' calls for respect seemed to bring on another reprimand.
While appearing to keep a steady eye on Childers, Ward 4's Jon Wilkins said folks who chastise others need to look at their own actions: “Even the people who are talking about it in the past have not been very nice themselves.”
For his part, Jaffe did not seem concerned about the criticism coming his way over his admission at sliding through stop signs.
“I knew I was going to get beat up on that one,” Jaffe said.
He said cyclists obviously need to yield to cars and stay out of their way. However, he liked the community conversation taking place.
“I'm encouraged by the debate that's been going on. There's a lot of good discussion that's been happening lately,” he said.
Of course, council members did some work during the meeting, too. After some questioning of Public Works director Steve King, they agreed to pay an additional $31,008 toward analyzing the project at Russell Street and South Third Street West. King explained that increasing the contract was the route forward because the state Department of Transportation asked questions that required further review.
Council members expressed concern that the process was taking a long time, but chief administrative officer Bruce Bender said the process - an environmental impact statement - was complicated and compulsory.
Council members also approved a rezoning request that allows Quality Supply to expand into Ziegler's, and they adopted a resolution to consider updating two subdivision regulations and set a public hearing for June 25.
They postponed a vote on a public hearing to createa special improvement district in the University area for traffic-calming circles. Many neighbors weren't aware of the proposal or thought it was a dead issue, and the extra time would allow them to become well-informed before the hearing, according to Ward 4's Wilkins and Jerry Ballas.
On Monday night, others also weighed in on the calls for respect and decorum. Ward 5's Dick Haines said a committee chair inappropriately had described an exchange between council members as “sniping.”
“One member's sniping may be another member's legitimate criticism,” Haines said.
Ward 1's Heidi Kendall had sent out an e-mail reminding council members to keep their interactions civil and respectful after observing a committee discussion that fell short.
“People are watching us on TV. They're reading about us in the newspaper,” Kendall explained.
The small squall didn't seem to disturb every council member, though.
Ward 6's Marilyn Marler admitted she'd temporarily been daydreaming about seeing the bitterroot flower, and Ward 5's Jack Reidy talked about the beautiful summer weather the past few days.
“Missoula is in full bloom,” Reidy said.
And the tempest seemed to have blown over outside by the end of the evening.
By KEILA SZPALLER of the Missoulian
Presidential hopeful Romney to speak in Helena
HELENA - Presidential candidate Mitt Romney will speak to Montana Republicans at their state convention in Helena on June 22.
Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, will speak at the breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel.
“Attracting a top presidential contender is a great thing for Montana,” said convention organizer Jake Eaton. “Governor Romney's attendance at our convention speaks to the growing importance of Western issues on the national stage.”
With only three electoral votes and one of the latest presidential primaries in the nation, Montana rarely attracts major presidential candidates.
Convention delegates will receive tickets to attend the Romney speech and breakfast as part of their registration fee. Members of the public are welcome, with tickets for breakfast and the speech costing $50 apiece.
The keynote speaker at the convention dinner June 22 is Dick Wadhams, chairman of the Colorado Republican Party. Wadhams managed the successful 1994 campaign of former U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., and was a consultant on Burns' 2000 re-election victory over now-Gov. Brian Schweitzer.
Other speakers are U.S. Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., the state's senior Republican elected official, who will address delegates at breakfast June 23, and Secretary of State Brad Johnson, who will speak at the lunch session on June 22.
Delegates to the convention, which runs June 21-23, will elect the party's top leaders. Current Chairman Karl Ohs isn't seeking re-election. So far, the only announced candidate for the post is Erik Iverson of Missoula, who is Rehberg's chief of staff.
The convention also will provide training sessions for candidates and grass-roots leaders.
Those interested in attending the convention may contact the state party at (406) 442-6469 or visit the party's Web site at: www.mtgop.org.
By the Missoulian State Bureau
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