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Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, Inc. leverages a combination of strong science, community action, and the law to defend fishable, swimmable, drinkable water throughout the 25,000 square miles of Montana’s Upper Missouri River Basin.
We actively engage with citizens, stakeholders and decisionmakers, utilize best-available science and, when necessary to protect waterways and communities, insist on compliance with the law.
Fishable, swimmable, drinkable water – your right, our mission.
Upper Missouri Waterkeeper defends clean water throughout the 25,000 square miles of Montana's Upper Missouri River Basin.
Join us today!
Upper Missouri Waterkeeper recently took legal action against the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to protect the Big Hole River from new mining activities at the Calvert Tungsten Mine. DEQ approved a Small Miner Exclusion Statement (SMES) to Mithril…
Montana’s Water Quality Integrated Report remains under federal review as politics override science On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Upper Missouri Waterkeeper filed a 60-day Notice of Intent to Sue to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its failure to take…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is now accepting public comment on its draft programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction and operation of subsurface wastewater treatment systems (SWTS). A coalition of conservation groups, including Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, Montana…
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting public comment on its draft programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction and operation of subsurface wastewater treatment systems (SWTS). Here are the top five issues with the EA as proposed:…
What is DEQ proposing? The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has released a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) for the construction and operation of subsurface wastewater treatment systems (SWTS), aka septic systems. The department is currently accepting public comment on…
The 2025 Legislative Session unfortunately led to the enactment of several “dirty water bills.” These new laws have undermined Montana’s science-based water quality standards and are now failing to adequately protect our waterways, fisheries, recreational opportunities, and valued public trust…
Decision highlights County’s responsibility to prevent harm to groundwater, Hyalite Creek, and neighbors Today, Tuesday, July 14, the Gallatin County Commission voted to deny the preliminary plat application for the proposed Anderson Meadows Major Subdivision, a 22-lot development south of Bozeman…
Waterkeeper’s Science and Advocacy Lead DEQ to Long-Overdue Big Hole River Protections; Concerns About Pollutants Driving Algal Blooms Remain At a Big Hole River Open House last night in Divide, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) shared that it…
Neighbors, Community, and Public Iced Out of Public Decisions by State, Violating Constitutional Rights Last week, Upper Missouri Waterkeeper and its members filed a complaint against the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for its approval of a Small Miner…
