Welcome to the Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund's (MCVEF) new Commission Watch webpage! This project has been launched to track and report the actions, votes, and opinions of local elected officials affecting the environment and quality of life in our local communities and neighborhoods.

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The decisions of city and county commissioners impact our lives in numerous ways. From making important policy decisions regarding community planning and growth management, public transportation, water quality and quantity, to the health and vitality of our city and county infrastructure, schools and roads, our elected, local commissioners work hard and make key decisions that impact all of us.

It's up to citizens to stay involved in the decisions these elected officials make - and to speak up to have their opinions heard - before commissioners vote to pass a key new policy or plan.

However, our city and county commissions meet weekly and cover a dizzying array of topics! We know it's not easy to keep on top of every action or vote affecting public health and conservation. That is why we have initiated Commission Watch, to keep you up-to-date on the key environmental and conservation decisions that you care about - right here in your own backyard.

Many of you are already familiar with and receive updates of our Congressional Watch webpage, a bi-monthly, MCVEF service that tracks and reports the votes, actions and opinions of Montana's congressional delegation regarding federal priorities of Montana's conservation and environmental groups. Our Commission Watch will similarly communicate the actions our local elected officials take regarding our air, water, lands, wildlife and neighborhoods - the everyday decisions that affect our everyday lives right here in Gallatin and Park Counties, on the most grassroots level.

The Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund's goal is to establish Commission Watch as permanent fixtures - for both city and county commissions - across Montana, in the communities where we work. Here in the Gallatin-Park Chapter, local members, staff, chapter officers and particularly, the conservation and environmental organizations working on local issues, provided us with resounding feedback and recommendations to pilot our first CAP project at the Gallatin County Commission level.

The reason? It's no secret that Gallatin County is the 32nd fastest growing county in the U.S. and faces tremendous opportunities - and challenges - to deal with this booming growth and the subsequent issues that result. At the growth rate of the past decade, we can expect over 25,000 new homes here in the next 20 years.*

* For more information, visit Gallatin Grassroots Forum: http://gallatingrassrootsforum.googlepages.com

As this growth occurs, appropriate planning for new subdivisions and transportation systems, safeguarding of streams and rivers for agriculture, drinking water, fish and wildlife, and the preservation of opens lands, parks and trails, are concerns that citizens and commissioners must resolve together.

We hope our inaugural Commission Watch project provides a useful, informative tool for citizens, elected officials, and new and longtime residents alike, to keep apprised of what our commissioners are doing to protect our incredible, natural assets here in Gallatin County and thriving, healthy communities. This initial county-focused project will serve as a template for future, local Commission Watch programs in other communities where MCVEF works, and at other levels of government, such as city commissions.

It's an exciting and ongoing process. We look forward to sharing this process with you and receiving your comments, suggestions and questions.

To those of you familiar with the Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund's federal Congressional Watch webpage, you'll recognize several similar components in our local Commission Watch program. You will find 4 key components in each issue:

"How They Voted"

Summarizes any key votes cast by the Gallatin County Commissioners on issues identified as priorities by Gallatin County's conservation and environmental community. This section also links you to the groups that are working on the particular measures.

"Actions and Opinion"

Features non-voting actions of the Gallatin County Commission affecting the environment, such as hearings, meetings, public statements, and proposed regulations and ordinances introduced that are important to Gallatin Couny's conservation and environmental community.

"What's on the Horizon"

A preview of upcoming votes, actions and hearings of the Gallatin County Commission on priority environmental and conservation issues.

"How to contact the Gallatin County Commission"
Phone, email and mailing address information, so that you can easily communicate with your commissioners on issues important to you.

PLUS...you'll find a new component in Commission Watch! In the section "Taking Action" we provide information about upcoming community meetings, presentations, and events concerning environmental and conservation issues in the county - and opportunities to take part and get involved.