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opposing the plant, called Water for Flathead’s Future. “We see this as an unprecedented industrial-size use of water that needs to be much more carefully looked at. We would like the governor and state Legislature to look before they leap. Don’t approve this until all the ques- tions that people have asked are addressed,” she said.
The group is gathering signatures for a petition requesting the water right permit be held until the state can undergo a “more comprehensive analysis” and review whether the water bottle plant complies with the Montana Environmental Policy Act.
The decision, at least in terms of Weaver’s request to tap into the deep aquifer, is in the hands of the Water Resources Division of the Montana Department of Nat- ural Resources and Conservation.
The DNRC previously issued a preliminary permit in January granting Weaver’s request, yet after news reports surfaced shining light on the water bottling plant, area residents, including water right holders, led objections, leading the agency to extend the period for formal objections until April 7.
As of April 8, the agency had received seven objec- tions, according to Millie He ner, the state’s water rights bureau chief. Other objections that were post- marked on or before April 7 will be accepted.
Among those objecting include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which operates the nearby Creston Fish Hatchery. The agency led a formal objection last month, stating the DNRC failed to properly consider adverse impacts on the hatchery, which receives most of its water from the nearby 27-acre Jesup Mill Pond, a source that is fed by 13 artesian wells. The agency says the modeling used to estimated the impact on surround- ing users is awed, and “nowhere has consideration been given to a water balance for the aquifer,” the objection states.
An online petition opposing the water bottle plant has garnered over 12,600 supporters.
Following the deadline, He ner’s sta will now
James Rose, associated research hydrogeologist with the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, presents to a large crowd at FVCC. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
begin reviewing the objections to ensure they are valid. If an objection is missing information, the agency will send out noti cations. Once objections are nalized, an administrative hearing will be scheduled locally, at which time parties from all sides will present evidence before a DNRC hearing examiner, who will review the case and determine whether to issue Weaver a water permit, which would be approved in perpetuity to the maximum requested amount of 710 acre feet per year.
In addition to the DNRC permit, Montana Arte- sian Water Company has applied with the Department of Environmental Quality for permitting under the Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. It would need to be licensed by the Department of Public Health and Human Resources as a food-grade facility, which would be the nal regulatory hurdle for Weaver’s company.
dtabish@ atheadbeacon.com
Kalispell Public Schools - School District #5
KINDERGARTEN Enrollment Day
May 4, 2016 • 7:30am-3:30pm Immunizations from 8:30am-12:00pm Linderman Education Center Gym
124 3rd Avenue East • Kalispell
Fifth Birthday by Sept. 10, 2016.
Birth Certi cate, Social Security # and Immunizations required 3 Polio Doses (last one after 4th birthday)
4 DPT/DTaP doses (one dose after 4th birthday)
2 MMR doses, 2 Varicella doses
As well as Proof of Address (power bill or rental/buy agreement)
Out of District Tuition Applications for Fall Enrollment in Kalispell School District 5 need to be completed and turned in (with tuition payment) NO LATER than April 25th, 2016.
GRADES K-5
should be returned to the District Enrollment Of ce at 233 1st Ave. E (above the city library).
Due to overcrowding in our elementary schools we will not look at K-5 tuition until after we have completed fall enrollment.
GRADES 6-8
should be returned to the Guidance Of ce at Kalispell Middle School at 205 NW Lane (off of Meridian).
GRADES 9-12
should be returned to the Guidance Of ce at either Flathead High (644 4th Ave W) or Glacier High (375 Wolfpack Way).
Any tuition applications for 6-12 that are received after April 25th will not be looked at until after we have completed fall enrollment.
For questions and to print off enrollment forms visit our website at www.sd5.k12.mt.us under DEPARTMENTS, then KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT DAY or call 751-3430
For questions please call 751-3430
All information including the School Board Policy and necessary forms may be found on our website at www.sd5.k12.mt.us under Departments, Enrollment, and then Out of District Application.
APRIL 13, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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2016-2017 School Year