Many people are moving here to enjoy Montana’s natural beauty and open space. Purchasing or selling property with water nearby has many benefits. Yet realtors should understand that certain regualtions apply to owning a piece of paradise. Learning the basics of wetlands and riparian areas as well as regulations that govern the development of property with water resources will give realtors an advantage in this competitive market.
We invite you to peruse this webpage for an introduction to a very important resource in Montana. For more in depth information please contact Debbie Zarnt at The Montana Watercourse. She can be reached at 406-994-1684 or dzarnt@montana.edu. We are certified to teach a four credit mandatory continuing education course on wetlands and riparian areas and are willing to travel throughout Montana. As a response to concerns and needs of realtors, Montana Watercourse has provided training workshops in Kalispell, Bozeman, Hamilton and Polson. See listings of upcoming events below and at the bottom of the page.
More information is available in our new guide booklet for Monana's realtors. Representing Property With Wetlands and Riparian Areas can be viewed, downloaded or ordered by going to our Publications page.
Wetlands and Riparian Area Continuing Education Course for Realtors
Watch this spot for information regarding upcoming courses
For more information, contact Debbie Zarnt at (406) 994-1910 or dzarnt@montana.edu.
Welcome to the West Landowner Guide
A valuable resource for anyone considering a new home in the West is now available.
The Corporation for the Northern Rockies’ Welcome to the West Guide helps newcomers channel their affection for wildlife and open space into vacation and real estate choices that protect nature. The Guide outlines the benefits of becoming a Conservation Vacationer, Buyer and Landowner. In addition, it describes the realities of living in a rural area, what Nature needs to be healthy, and a range of sustainable choices for home and road siting and building that protect wildlife habitat and natural systems. The Guide also includes information on the financial and environmental advantages of conservation easements. Visit the CNR website.
What are Wetlands Worth? Property values, Community Values and More
Healthy wetlands and riparian areas provide Montana’s citizens, new and native alike, with the opportunity to enjoy the unique beauty of these places. It’s a well know fact that property near open water is worth more and sells more quickly than other property. What about property near wetlands and riparian areas?
Housing price increase for homes near a protected riparian corridor:
People are willing to pay more for homes near protected riparian areas.
Healthy wetlands and riparian areas not only increase housing prices but also provide many other economic benefits:
Increased tax revenue.
Increased revenue for businesses providing recreation services and products.
Avoiding the need for costly water treatment facilities which many communities in Montana cannot afford. Back to top
Montana’s Marvelous Wetlands
Montana residents are fortunate to have many different types of wetlands to enjoy.
Prairie potholes, peatlands,seeps or springs, and riparian wetlands add to Montana's diverse landscape.
What are Wetlands?
Wetlands are areas that are saturated with water for part or all of the year. Although you will need a specialist to identify the exact boundaries of a wetland, you don’t need to be an expert to look for certain clues that indicate there is a wetland on the property. Back to top
What Happens to the Land When it is Saturated for Long Periods of Time?
Wetlands have the following three special features which you can look for while touring a property.
Water:
The presence of water is an obvious sign that the area could be a wetland. But wetlands aren’t necessarily wet all year round. During part of the year or an extended drought the wetland may not be wet at all.
Plants: Only special types of plants like wet and soggy ground. These plants are called hydrophytes (hydro=water, phyte=plant). These plants can have leaves that float, shallow roots, or stems that are filled with air. Surrounding trees may have wide based trunks.
Soils:
Water logged soils will be a different color than the surrounding soil. The soil can be black or grey. Back to top
What Do Wetlands Do? Wetlands serve many purposes: some are obvious, others may not be as apparent.
Wildlife:
No doubt about it, wildlife thrives in healthy wetlands. Birds, fish and mammals use wetlands like we use the grocery store, nurseries, and hotels. Wetlands provide an ample supply of food and habitat for wildlife so they can feed, raise their young and find shelter.
Photo:MTFWP
Flood control: Many wetlands are located next to rivers and serve communities by absorbing flood waters. Large volumes of water that would otherwise accumulate and cause massive downstream flooding and endanger homeowners are absorbed by nearby wetlands.
Erosion Control:
By absorbing high flows, wetlands also prevent erosion of stream banks. Healthy robust stream side plants and trees provide economical bank stability, cool stream temperatures, and excellent habitat for fish and wildlife.
Water Supply:
Wetlands allow water to soak into the earth and replenish ground water supplies called aquifers. Approximately half of Montana’s residents need ground water for their homes.
Wetlands allow water to replenish ground water supplies. Photo courtesy of Cows and Fish. www.cowsandfish.org
Pollution:
Wetlands clean contaminated water and prevent toxins from entering nearby streams, rivers, and ground water. Wetlands break down pollutants and filter out sediment. Wetlands are often called the earth’s kidneys. They are giant filters which provide Montana’s communities with a clean water supply.
Wetland plants “grab” the pollution and remove it from the water. Photo courtesy of Cows and Fish. www.cowsandfish.org
Riparian Areas
Areas next to the river are great places to relax, listen to the sound of the water rushing by and maybe catch a glimpse of Montana’s wildlife. No wonder, property with stream access are premium locations. These areas, called riparian areas also serve the community in many other ways that aren’t obvious to the new landowner.
Temperature control:
Riparian areas are like an air conditioner or thermostat for aquatic life. Healthy riparian areas with robust plants and trees cool the stream temperature which allows aquatic life to thrive.
Erosion Control: The roots, stems and leaves of riparian plants slow the flow of the water in the river and allow new sediment to settle, rebuilding the banks and preventing erosion.
Riparian Areas with healthy vegetation prevent erosion Photo courtesy of Cows and Fish. www.cowsandfish.org
Clean Water:
Healthy riparian areas put the brake on fast flowing polluted water from storms. These areas absorb and filter pollution rainfall that collects and from streets, parking lots and other paved areas during storms (urban runoff) that would otherwise funnel into the river.
Wildlife:
Riparian areas provide similar benefits to wildlife as wetlands: a place to live, eat and raise young. Back to top
Wetlands, Rivers and Streams: Recipe For a Quick Sale or a Regulatory Headache?
There’s no need to be intimidated or confused by wetland regulations. If a property contains wetlands or riparian areas, it will be subject to certain regulations that your client needs to know about. By understanding the basic rules and permits, you will be able to help your client be more confident and knowledgeable about the property.
Landowner activities that may require permits include, but are not limited to: dredge or filling of wetlands, pond construction, river stabilization, use of heavy equipment near wetlands or riparian area, and road construction.
If your client is considering a property with water resources have them review these permits to determine which ones they will need for various activities that they would like to do on the property.
Septic system permit (Contact local County Health Department)
Conservation Options:
There are many conservation and restoration options available for landowners who own property with wetlands or riparian areas. Technical and financial assistance is available for landowners interested in restoration projects, management assistance, or conservation easements.
For more information about Montana Wetlands, visit our publications page. Montana Watercourse will send copies of our publications upon request. OR you may download copies of our "Guidebook for Montana Ponds", and brochures on wetland information. "The Landowner's Guide to Wetlands" is currently being revised, with a release date scheduled for Fall of 2006.
Only special types of plants like wet and soggy ground. These plants are called hydrophytes (hydro=water, phyte=plant). These plants can have leaves that float, shallow roots, or stems that are filled with air. Surrounding trees may have wide based trunks. 
Many wetlands are located next to rivers and serve communities by absorbing flood waters. Large volumes of water that would otherwise accumulate and cause massive downstream flooding and endanger homeowners are absorbed by nearby wetlands.
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The roots, stems and leaves of riparian plants slow the flow of the water in the river and allow new sediment to settle, rebuilding the banks and preventing erosion.