Organization
Board Members
Mission Statement
History

Friends of Two Rivers was organized on 14 November 2002 as a nonprofit corporation in the State of Montana with tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

Directors and Officers:

Chuck Erickson, President
Cindy Jimmerson, Vice President
Gary Matson, Secretary/Treasurer
Sue Furey, Public Information Officer
Mary Erickson
Jeannette Slate
Elizabeth Vigeland
Joe Devlin
Judy Matson, Newsletter and website

Mission Statement:

As a concerned group of citizens residing in the areas between Rock Creek, Potomac, and East Missoula we hereby form Friends of Two Rivers (FOTR) with a mission to:

• Promote the removal of the Milltown Dam and sediments in the Milltown Reservoir
  
• Educate the two rivers communities on the science behind the removal proposal
  
• Represent the opinions of those in the communities that seek removal by working with the media, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state and local government
  
• Further the ecological and recreational values of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers
  
• Promote a safe, healthy and enriching environment for the communities of the two rivers
  

FOTR Anniversary brings satisfaction, challenges
By Mary Erickson

In the spring of 2002 a small and diverse group of neighbors met for lunch at the River City Grill. Our one common feeling was that the best scenario for cleanup at Milltown Dam was total cleanup, including removal of the dam. We agreed we wanted to see restoration of the river bottom into an area that would be functional from a hydrological standpoint as well as a real asset to our community.

We discussed the possibility of a more formal organization but tabled the idea in favor of a neighbor-to-neighbor approach. That began a quiet campaign of simply encouraging others who felt as we did to get educated and speak up.

Spring rolled into summer and our quiet campaign continued, but the ARCO endorsed spread of misinformation was increasing proportionately. Finally we agreed that it was time to encourage those “quiet voices” to join together and, hopefully, be heard with greater recognition and impact.

In September enough enthusiastic folks attended a meeting to get the ball rolling. Again the commonality of opinion was apparent as a basic direction was decided on and a name, Friends of Two Rivers, was chosen.

Now a year has passed. Many positives have occurred. Governor Martz announced her support for cleanup, opening the way for progress. EPA’s proposed cleanup plan recommended cleanup and dam removal. The State river restoration plan recommended natural channel design.
FOTR did not make any of this happen, but we feel that the contributions of countless hours of volunteer effort and unselfish donations by our members have made a difference.

We sponsored public meetings on arsenic contamination, the effects of sediment and dam removal on groundwater levels in the Milltown area, the structural condition of the Milltown Dam.

We published 6 newsletters reporting on these topics plus the EPA’s proposed remediation plan and the State’s proposed restoration plan.
We advocate informed public involvement and work hard to fairly rebut inaccurate or incomplete information.

We foresee a vibrant future for our area based on a clean environment and natural river system. The process often seems long but, as Benjamin Franklin said, “A little neglect may breed mischief.”

FOTR enters its new year with appreciation for the process, the people, and the prospect of the future.

Election, 2004: Kevin Furey, a founding member of Friends of Two Rivers, was elected State Representative for House District 91.

Conservation Award: The Burk-Brandborg Award was presented to Gary Matson on Earth Day, April 22, at the Conservation Roundtable. Gary was cited for his long-time volunteer efforts in behalf of conservation issues since his arrival in Montana in 1966 and culminating with his involvement with Friends of Two Rivers. The award is “given on special occasions to the person whose outstanding contributions in a given year contribute to natural resource conservation or environmental protection by a volunteer citizen-activist.”

Gary credits Mary and Chuck Erickson who were instrumental in founding the Friends of Two Rivers, and Sue Furey who worked with him on the Bonner Community Forum, the precursor to FOTR.

He also cites valuable assistance from the Missoula County Commissioners, Peter Nielsen, the Clark Fork Coalition, and CFRTAC. He recognizes the leadership of many dedicated conservationists including the inspiration he has received from the namesakes of the award, writer Dale Burk and the late Bitterroot Forest Supervisor G.M. Brandborg.

Gary’s past involvement in conservation issues includes work on the teratogenic effects of the brush killer 2,4,5-T, helping to organize area community opposition to the Northern Tier pipeline, work on land use issues as a board member of the Montana Environmental Information Center (formerly EIC), and membership in many conservation organizations.

Spring, 2004: Two members of Friends of Two Rivers, Jim Dayton and Kevin Furey, are facing off in the Democratic Primary race for House District 91. The election is June 8th.