Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, in cooperation with the Kootenai River Network, is hosting a public meeting June 6 to discuss the effects of selenium on area water bodies.

The forum is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at the Ponderosa Room of City Hall.

The topic of the session will be of coal mining activities in the British Columbia portion of the area watersheds and its impacts on water quality in Lake Koocanusa. The public forum is open to everyone.

A panel of experts from Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, British Columbia Ministry of Environment, and Teck Coal will discuss the impacts of selenium on the Lake Koocanusa fishery, ongoing monitoring efforts, and plans to reduce selenium associated with continued mining operations.

Canadian mining efforts have led to increased levels of selenium in Lake Koocanusa. While selenium is an essential trace element, it is toxic if taken in excess. 

For more information on the public session, contact Jim Dunnigan of the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Department at  293-4161 ext. 200.