By Helena Dore, Bozeman Daily Chronicle
Three nonprofits are requesting an independent investigation into a Hebgen Dam gate malfunction that led to an abrupt drop in flows along the upper Madison River in late November.
Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, Montana Environmental Information Center and the Madison River Foundation filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Wednesday.
Guy Alsentzer, executive director of Upper Missouri Waterkeeper, said the organizations are asking FERC to take a hard look at the circumstances surrounding the dewatering event and address the economic and ecological consequences, which are still largely unknown.