May 14, 2008

Group asks for grant to study Madison aquifer

By KARL PUCKETT
Tribune Staff Writer

The Madison aquifer, a vital source of water across Central Montana, can't be protected in the future without more knowledge of how it is currently used and recharged, according to the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.

There's no evidence of a problem, but the state shouldn't wait for one to develop, bureau officials said, noting that more wells are drilled in the aquifer each year.

"You can't protect or utilize what you don't understand," said John Wheaton, a hydrogeologist with the bureau.

Wheaton's comments came Tuesday at the Cascade County Commission's meeting in Great Falls, where he and his colleagues pitched an idea to have the county sponsor a grant the bureau is seeking to study the limestone aquifer in six counties.

The bureau, which is affiliated with Montana Tech of the University of Montana in Butte, plans to ask for a $250,000 to $300,000 grant from the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Water from the Madison aquifer supports ranching, industry, fisheries and domestic uses.

The goal of the study is to find out where the aquifer is getting and losing its water so a "water budget," which will guide future building decisions, can be developed.

"This is an important tool we're lacking as we move forward with subdivisions," Cascade County commissioner Joe Briggs said.

Commissioners Briggs and Lance Olson approved the request to have the county sponsor the grant application. No county funds will be involved.

In Cascade County alone, there are at least 800 wells drilled into the Madison aquifer, according to the bureau.

As the number of wells increase, the aquifer becomes increasingly more valuable, Wheaton said. But no one has ever investigated where it can support additional development.

"Let's be proactive rather than reactive," said Marvin Miller, the bureau's assistant director and a senior research hydrogeologist.

Results of the study of the aquifer could be used to protect existing users while helping county planners and regulatory agencies manage future users, Wheaton said.

"Responsible development of this valuable resource must be based on detailed water-quantity and water-quality data and maps," Wheaton said.

If the grant is approved, two monitoring wells will be installed in the aquifer, said Shawn Kuzara, a bureau scientist. Existing wells also could be checked.

The aquifer is recharged by precipitation and rivers in the Little Belt, Big Snowy and Little Snowy mountains, bureau officials said.

Its discharge can be seen in locations such as Giant Springs in Great Falls and Big Spring Creek near Lewistown, where groundwater from the aquifer comes to the surface.

In other business Tuesday, commissioners:

Approved the final plat for phase 12 of the Big Bend Ranch housing subdivision south of Great Falls. The plat creates nine residential tracts of less than two acres;

Agreed to cancel $72,235 in delinquent personal property taxes and mobile home taxes. Treasurer Jess Anderson said the county annually cancels taxes that are at least five years delinquent. In some cases, the mobile home taxes are 50 years old, he said; and

Entered a three-year contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield to administer the county's employee health insurance program.