BUTTE-SILVER BOW
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Press Release
For Immediate Release
October 25, 2012
Contact:
Paul D. Babb, Chief Executive
BSB Local Government
Courthouse, 155 West Granite Street
Butte, MT 59701
406-497-6221
pbabb@bsb.mt.gov
Chief Executive Paul Babb announced today that Governor Schweitzer had approved BSB’s
Groundwater Restoration Plan and subsequently has awarded the City and County a grant in the
amount of $30.1 million for continued improvements to the public water supply.
“It is without question that Governor Schweitzer has done an excellent job in accomplishing the
goals and objectives of the Natural Resource Damage Program. He has not only been an
advocate for restoring and rehabilitating the damaged resource, but just as important, he has
consistently looked out for the best interests of the people of Montana today and for future
generations. I believe the Governor’s timely decision to fund our grant request will add to his
legacy as a man of action. We, in Butte, have always appreciated the Governor’s scientific
background that allows him to analyze and truly understand a project; and, more importantly, we
appreciate his ability to take that knowledge and make the right decision,” commented Chief
Executive Babb.
“This decision is a major milestone in the NRDP’s efforts to restore the damaged groundwater
resources located within the community of Butte and in the Upper Clark Fork River Basin. “On
behalf of the community of Butte, we are very grateful for the support of Governor Schweitzer
and the entire NRDP community, the Trustee Council, the Advisory Council and members of the
staff,” commented Chief Executive Babb.
“Throughout the last decade, the NRDP has been very supportive of Butte’s rebuilding of its
aging and deteriorated public water supply. Without the NRDP program, a considerable amount
of the expense would need to be borne solely by our rate payers. Through the NRDP program,
BSB has made great strides in rebuilding Butte’s water system from water pipe replacements on
the Hill, to the new Big Hole Diversion Dam and Pump Station, to the ongoing replacement of
the transmission main from the Big Hole River to town,” commented Public Works Director Dan
Dennehy.
“I want to thank Governor Schweitzer and the entire NRD Staff and Council Members for their
efforts in working together with us. Moreover, I want to express the gratitude of our community
to the many people including our Public Works Director, Mr. Dan Dennehy, our Operations
Manager, Mr. Rick Larson, and their entire staff who continue to work together towards
restoring our public water supply,” commented Chief Executive Babb.
“This grant money, will allow us to start the construction of an additional treatment process at
the Big Hole Water Treatment plant to improve water quality as well as treatment efficiencies
within this treatment plant. Moreover, we will be able to complete the replacement of the Big
Hole Transmission Main and begin to make improvements to the Basin Creek water supply.
This is very exciting development for the Butte community, and I personally want to thank
everyone involved with making this project a reality,” commented Operations Manager Rick
Larson.