Monthly Archives: July 2010

Head-butting over differences on North Fork protection

July 4, 2010Environmental Issues, NewsBrian Schweitzer, Canadian Flathead, Gordon Campbell, Jon Tester, Max Baucus, memorandum of understanding, MOU, North Fork Flathead, Trans-boundary Flatheadnfpa

Wow! This is getting interesting, if not downright entertaining. Gov. Schweitzer and Sens. Baucus and Tester are really starting to butt heads over implementation of the memorandum of understanding Schweitzer negotiated with British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell regarding protection of the trans-boundary Flathead. Today’s Flathead Beacon has a good write-up on the issue . . .

Despite a common goal of securing permanent environmental protection for the North Fork of the Flathead River, Montana’s governor and senators don’t appear to be on the same page. The differences between the positions of Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester extend from the binding strength of the memorandum of understanding between Montana and British Columbia to the necessity of an international treaty to protect the transboundary Flathead region. And these policy differences are becoming increasingly glaring.

Read the entire article (recommended) . . .

More facilities open back up on Glacier Park’s west side

July 2, 2010NewsGlacier National Park, Going-to-the-Sun Road, Highline Trail, inside North Fork Road, Logging Creek, Quartz Lakenfpa

For those of you keeping an eye on the North Fork side of Glacier Park, this item from one of today’s press releases:

The Inside North Fork Road has re-opened after minor road repairs due to recent flooding. Logging Creek and Quartz Creek campgrounds open Thursday, July 1. Only three of the seven camping sites at Logging Creek are currently open due to flooding.

The press release, which talks mostly about the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle service, also mentions that Granite Park Chalet is open, Sperry Chalet will open on July 7 and the Highline Trail should open up on July 10.

Tensions flare over Schweitzer’s deal with Canada to protect North Fork

July 2, 2010Environmental Issues, NewsBrian Schweitzer, Canadian Flathead, Flathead River Valley, Gordon Campbell, Jon Tester, Max Baucus, mining leases, Trans-boundary Flatheadnfpa

From an Associated Press article posted yesterday . . .

Gov. Brian Schweitzer is facing sharp questions from Montana’s congressional delegation over the way the governor has handled an agreement with Canada to protect the Glacier National Park area.

Schweitzer inked a deal with Canadian officials earlier this year promising that both sides would move to permanently protect the Flathead region from development. The governor promised the U.S. side would come up with millions to buy out two Canadian companies — a promise Schweitzer apparently made without first getting federal officials on board.

The Democratic governor had been critical of the congressional delegation — U.S. Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester along with Rep. Denny Rehberg — for failing to come up with the cash.

Tester and Baucus, both Democrats, sent an unusually terse letter to the governor Wednesday. In it, they pointedly ask where Schweitzer expected the money to come from — and where it would go.

Read the full article (highly recommended) . . .

For additional background, read the text of Wednesday’s letter to Gov. Schweitzer from Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester.

North Fork protection may come as a treaty

July 1, 2010Environmental Issues, NewsBrian Schweitzer, Canadian Flathead, energy development, Flathead River Valley, Gordon Campbell, mining, North Fork Flathead, Trans-boundary Flatheadnfpa

From this week’s Hungry Horse News . . .

A deal to permanently protect the North Fork of the Flathead from mining and energy exploration could ultimately be resolved in a treaty between the two countries.

President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Monday that they were directing their federal agencies to look at ways of solidifying a deal struck between Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and British Columbia Prime Minister Gordon Campbell in February.

Read the full article . . .

Two environmental groups claim paving North Fork Road may violate law

July 1, 2010Environmental Issues, NewsEarthjustice, North Fork Road, NPCA, pavingnfpa

The road. Again. This time, the National Parks Conservation Association and Earthjustice are weighing in.