EBS STAFF
The Bozeman City Commission accepted and the Gallatin County Commission adopted the Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan. The plan is “a regional and coordinated view of what resources are at risk as development occurs” and outlines steps to protect those spaces, according to a Dec. 20 release from Gallatin County.
The plan provides a map model of the land resources in Gallatin County and is categorized into four themes: wildlife and biodiversity, water quality and quantity, connectivity and agricultural heritage.
Commissioners believe this will help Bozeman manage its growth.
“The menu of strategies that are available to address the impacts on sensitive lands are both at a macro level and a site-specific level in this plan,” Gallatin County Commissioner Jennifer Boyer stated in the release. “And they also encompass a variety of approaches from regulations to financial incentives.”
The plan has been in the works for two years, according to the release.
“Now, we can clearly see which areas are most at risk and prioritize them accordingly for conservation,” Jon Henderson, City of Bozeman strategic services director, stated.
Guided by the public and a group of technical experts, the plan was formed through collaborations between multiple cities, county agencies, constituents and landowner representatives.
Moving forward, the plan will identify key spaces to protect and collaborate with nonprofits and agencies to implement maintenance and implementation.
