Meet Katy Spence

Hello! It’s been my pleasure to join the MEIC team at the busiest and most stressful time: in the middle of a legislative session. In truthfulness, it’s been a wonderful crash-course in what MEIC does best: fight for your right to a clean and healthful environment. Growing up in rural Kansas, I was fascinated by tallgrass prairie remnants that thrive in unmown ditches. A high school love of plants led to college courses in biology and botany. When college chemistry became a bit too tough, I pivoted to my second love: writing. But my interest in the natural world never wavered, and I sought a way to connect these passions. In 2015, I moved to Missoula to pursue a master’s degree in environmental journalism at the University of Montana. This time was transformative for me. I learned about biogeochemical cycles (and how climate change has really messed those up), statesanctioned environmental racism, and radiation cycling through a forested landscape while on a reporting trip to Fukushima, Japan. I knew that my place was at the crossroads of communicating science and finding actionable solutions to the biggest environmental challenges of our day. That being said, my post-grad journey took a three-year detour through the technology/business world, where I picked up skills in marketing, project management, and entrepreneurship. While I’m grateful for the time I spent in this industry, working with the MEIC team and such an impassioned membership truly feels like coming home. If you’ve been getting our emails or seeing an uptick in social media lately, that’s me! Let’s connect online or by phone — I’d love to hear more about what you want to see from MEIC.

Eliminating Pollution Standards for Nutrients

SB 358 (Sen. John Esp, R-Big Timber) would eliminate the numeric nutrient criteria from Montana’s water quality standards. Numeric nutrient standards prevent the discharge of high levels of nutrient pollution, which can have major and adverse impacts on aquatic and human health. Sources of nutrient pollution include fertilizer, manure, sewage, detergents, and stormwater runoff. Many of Montana’s waterways are already suffering from high levels of nutrient pollution due to decades of accumulation from a variety of sources.

This bill would inject considerable chaos and uncertainty into currently clear standards. The administrative and permitting process would become less predictable, and it would be difficult to understand the limits. Finally, the federal 9th Circuit court is currently considering an appeal regarding variances from the numeric nutrient standards. Its decision could entirely upend the process and make the repeal of numeric standards even more complex.

Thoughts from the Executive Director

by Cari Kimball

MEIC is starting a new chapter. With Anne Hedges and I assuming co-directorship to lead the organization, we’re taking this moment to look at what MEIC has been doing — noting our areas of strength and identifying where we can be doing more or doing it better. This evaluation is a work in progress, and we’ll be reaching out to you, our network of supporters, for input.

For now, here’s what we are most excited to maintain and where we’re excited to change things up. Because I’m a millennial, the chorus from the song Decepticons by esteemed ’90s rapper, One Be Lo, plays on repeat in my head when I think about what comes next at MEIC.

Some Things Change

Here’s how we’re shaking things up: Political strategy. Perhaps you noticed that the 2020 state-level elections took a hard anti-environment turn. Oofda. We’re already shifting strategy to meet a world where the federal political climate for environmental protection is more favorable than at the state level.

Movement building. While MEIC has always relied on people power to influence policy, we are increasing our capacity to emphasize this crucial movement-building work. With the addition of two new staff positions – a Communications and Engagement Director (Katy Spence) and a Campaigns and Advocacy Director (Melissa Nootz) – and two amazing staffers filling them, MEIC is better poised to energize our supporters and grow Montana’s community of change-makers who care about our environment.

Intersectional environmentalism.

A concept elevated by activist Leah Thomas, intersectional environmentalism describes how forces of social inequity and environmental degradation often overlap and compound one another. The future of the environmental movement depends upon dismantling systems of oppression. If our strategies to prevent environmental harm further entrench corporate kleptocracy, wealth inequity, white supremacy, and misogyny, we are shooting ourselves in the foot. More than ever, MEIC will be emphasizing the long view: that a more just and equitable world is one with fewer environmental problems.

MEIC - a nonprofit environmental advocate

P.O. Box 1184 Helena, MT 59624

P.O. Box 1375 Missoula, MT 59806

(406) 443-2520 www.meic.org meic@meic.org

MEIC’s purpose is to protect Montana’s clean and healthful environment. The words “clean and healthful” are taken from the Montana Constitution, Article II, section 3 - Inalienable Rights, which begins: “All persons are born free and have certain inalienable rights. They include the right to a clean and healthful environment. . .”

Some Things Stay the Same

Here’s what we will maintain:

Our sense of responsibility to speak truth to power. If we disagree with powerful decision-makers on an issue, we’ll say it – respectfully and firmly.

Our belief that clean air, water, soil, and climate form the bedrock of our quality of life here in Montana.

Our role as experts on State environmental policy. With more than 45 years of experience, MEIC is widely relied upon as a government watchdog and resource for concerned citizens, politicians, and the media. We’re here to stay.

Our defense of the fundamental right of all Montanans to a clean and healthful environment.

Our immense respect and fondness for MEIC’s members and supporters. You folks make this work possible, and you inspire us every day. Thank you.

As we forge ahead, meeting the challenges of the current political climate in the State of Montana, we are so grateful for your support. If you have ideas, questions, concerns, or just want to shoot the breeze, please be in touch. We love hearing from you!

MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CENTER P.O. Box 1184 Helena, MT 59624

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