The gallatin river task force, in partnership with the big sky water and sewer district, located in southwest montana, will enhance the existing outdoor rebates program to encourage sustainability…

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation awarded a $249,556.34 Project Grant under the WaterSMART (Sustain and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) program (CFDA 15.507) to the Gallatin River Task Force in Big Sky, MT. The funding will be used to enhance the existing outdoor rebates program to encourage water-wise landscaping and turf removal in the region. Key initiatives include increasing rebate amounts, providing one-on-one assistance through site visits and landscape design support, and aligning the project with the 2022 Big Sky Water Conservation and Drought Management Plan. The grant aims to promote outdoor water conservation, protect groundwater aquifers, and support the broader sustainability objectives of the regional water management plans. The project period runs from Sep 2024 to Sep 2026.

The gallatin river task force, in partnership with the big sky water and sewer district, located in southwest montana, will enhance the existing outdoor rebates program to encourage sustainability through water-wise landscapes. The task forces enhanced outdoor rebates will emphasize turf removal, increase rebate amounts, and provide more one-on-one assistance through site visits and landscape design assistance. Turf removal supports outdoor water conservation efforts and aids in protecting groundwater aquifer depletion by reducing groundwater pumping needed to meet landscape needs. The project supports the planning efforts of the 2022 big sky water conservation and drought management plan and meets the conservation and efficiency objectives of the 2022 source capacity plan.