Monthly Archives: July 2011

Larry Wilson: Auction at Sondreson Hall a big success

July 27, 2011Commentary, Newsauction, Larry Wilson, North Fork Landowners’ Association, Sondreson Hallnfpa

This week, Larry reports on last weekend’s auction at Sondreson Hall and previews some of the other activities scheduled for the next few weeks . . .

The auction at Sondreson Hall last weekend had more than one goal. First was to revive an old tradition. Second was to provide a community experience by hosting a community-wide activity. Finally, there was a desire to raise some money to fund the North Fork Landowners Association’s History Committee.

That committee has expressed interest in doing oral histories of long-time North Fork residents and redigitizing the 78 rpm records that have been the basis for years of square dancing at Sondreson Hall. Maybe some funds could be used for a new sound system as well?

All these goals were met. The community responded with donations which covered every interest…

Continue reading . . .

Amendment removing gray wolves from Endangered Species Act protection faces court challenge

July 25, 2011Environmental Issues, NewsEndangered Species Act, wolf management, wolvesnfpa

From today’s Missoulian . . .

The congressional rider removing gray wolves from Endangered Species Act protection faces a court challenge in Missoula on Tuesday.

The Alliance for the Wild Rockies, Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Clearwater and WildEarth Guardians together claim Congress violated the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine when it ordered the wolf delisted and blocked future court review of that decision.

In response, attorneys for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar say Congress has frequently rewritten laws to get around court rulings, and courts have endorsed the practice.

Continue reading . . .

Flathead Lake Biological Station holds open house Aug. 2

July 24, 2011NewsFlathead Lake Biological Station, FLBS, University of Montananfpa

The University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station is holding an open house on Tuesday, August 2, from 1 to 5 p.m. The open house includes several hands-on activities, demonstration boat trips on the Jessie B and a number of new research displays, including one on “North Fork Conservation.” See their flyer or check out their web site for more details.

Headwaters Montana looking for volunteers to help “complete the park”

July 23, 2011Environmental Issues, NewsFlathead River Valley, Headwaters Montana, Trans-boundary Flathead, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Parknfpa

From a newsletter sent out yesterday by Headwaters Montana . . .

We need your help. Do you have just one day this summer to spend at spectacular Logan Pass to help complete the world’s first Peace Park: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park?

Last summer Headwaters Montana sponsored volunteers at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park to collect signed post cards from visitors who support doubling the size of Waterton Lakes National Park into the Flathead Valley in British Columbia (see map here). Volunteers collected the names of over 3,000 supporters last summer alone. The campaign to ‘Complete the Park’ and ‘Protect the Flathead’ now has well over 10,000 visible and vocal supporters.

Each supporter, like you, adds to the mounting inevitability of expanding Waterton Park. And while we already enjoy a super majority of supporters in south-east British Columbia and across the international boundary in Montana, we need to continue to build support to push this effort over the finish line.

We can achieve a breakthrough in the next year with your help.

Continue reading Headwaters Montana looking for volunteers to help “complete the park” →

In a weed stomping mood? Now’s the time

July 23, 2011Environmental Issues, NewsGlacier National Park, invasive species, NFLA, weed control, weedsnfpa

If you are concerned about invasive plant species — noxious weeds — there are plenty of opportunities to do something about it within the next few weeks.

The North Fork Landowners’ Association has two “weed roundup” events scheduled. The first, on Tuesday, July 26, will concentrate on the area from the border to Ford Station; the second, Friday, August 19, will work from Ford to Polebridge. See the NFLA online calendar for details.

Glacier Park is also kicking off their second annual Noxious Weed Blitz on Thursday, July 28th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Glacier Community Building. You get training on weed identification, surveying and mapping. You also get a free lunch out of the deal. Here’s the core part of the press release announcing the event:

Participants will spend the morning learning how to identify five targeted invasive plant species. After lunch attendants will learn how to conduct invasive plant surveys and map the locations of invasive plants using GPS units. Attending the Blitz will give you the option to continue as a citizen scientist weed warrior during future hikes. The event is free and open to all ages. Lunch will be provided for those who sign up for the event. Please bring gloves for hand pulling weeds, footwear for hiking, and drinking water. To sign up or to find out about other invasive plant opportunities, please contact the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center at (406) 888-7986 or glac_citizen_science@nps.gov.

Read the full press release for more details.

Wolf management pioneer Carolyn Sime leaving Montana FWP

July 23, 2011Environmental Issues, NewsCarolyn Sime, Montana FWP, wolf managementnfpa

From yesterday’s Missoulian . . .

Carolyn Sime, a pioneer in wolf management in Montana, is leaving her job with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in order to pursue a law degree.

“After 10 years of late-night phone calls, ranch meetings and 20 years of game check stations, I’m ready to try something new,” Sime said this week. “But I leave with some really, really fond memories of the relationships we’ve made and the work toward finding common ground, having open dialogues and civil discussions.”

For more than a decade, Sime was in the epicenter of the wolf management controversy…

Continue reading . . .

60 years ago: “Oil boom” in the North Fork

July 20, 2011HistoryCanadian Flathead, North Fork Flathead, oil exploration, Sage Creeknfpa

The Hungry Horse News has a short article on all the excitement 60 years ago surrounding oil exploration efforts in the North Fork just over the line in Canada at Sage Creek . . .

Large headlines in August 1951 declared oil drilling would start in the North Fork. This was exciting news with hopes for commercial quantities, new road punched through to the rest of Canada, economic values on the undeveloped valley between primitive mountain areas.

It was reported the oil drilling venture culminated nearly 50 years of drilling by stock supported companies. Drilling was for Petroleum Oil Co., which had a number of producing wells in Alberta.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: North Fork threat level still secret

July 20, 2011Commentary, Newsborder patrol, Flathead County, Larry Wilson, road maintenance, U.S. Forest Service, weedsnfpa

In this week’s column, Larry Wilson covers a broad range of topics, including the Border Patrol’s seemingly excessive secrecy about their operations . . .

It has been another action-packed, fun-filled week on the North Fork, with community service, educational, informative and just plain fun social events. The biggest gathering was for the interlocal meeting, which I would call informative and educational.

For several years, the Border Patrol has been asked about the threat level on the North Fork and whether or not arrests have been made here and, if so, for what offense. The Border Patrol’s reply is that they can tell us arrests have been made but they cannot provide details or inform us about the threat level.

I can understand not being informed about the threat level – that might fluctuate from day to day subject to nationwide possibilities. I don’t understand why we cannot be told about North Fork arrests and what the violations were. Even assuming continuing investigation of a particular event, they could give us details of 2008-2010 arrests. We would then know what to watch for and could even aid the Border Patrol with information.

Continue reading . . .

Logan Pass opening worth the wait

July 20, 2011News, Travel ArticlesGoing-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass, snow depth, snow plowingnfpa

From today’s Daily Inter Lake . . .

Larry Leger and Sharon Knight, of Louisiana, came up Glacier National Park on a tour of the West. With the Going-to-the-Sun Road closed over Logan Pass at the time, they decided to extend their stay, traveling to Canada and then Yellowstone National Park.

“We delayed our departure by three days,” Leger said. “It was worth it. This is impressive.”

Leger was standing next to the Big Drift on the Going-to-the-Sun Road when it opened to vehicles July 13. A hundred feet of snow towered behind him.

Continue reading . . .

NFPA annual meeting features bylaw changes, well-known speaker

July 20, 2011NewsCharlie Russell, NFPA Annual Meeting, North Fork Preservation Associationnfpa

The North Fork Preservation Association Annual Meeting is coming up soon — Saturday, July 30 — with some significant administrative changes to discuss and a very interesting presentation in the queue.

At the January board of directors meeting it was decided to add two new board member positions (an increase from nine to eleven) as a way of introducing new blood without losing board experience. This is a change to the bylaws requiring a vote of the members at the annual meeting on July 30th. Volunteers wanted. If you would like to be on the board or know someone who should be on the board, please let us know.

This year’s featured speaker is Charlie Russell, the son of famed Albertan outfitter/writer Andy Russell. Charlie, besides writing several earlier books on grizzly bears, is also famous for adopting three orphaned cubs from a Russian zoo that were destined to die because they were outgrowing their cage. These were the first of many orphaned grizzly cubs that Charlie taught to live in the wilds of a very remote part of Russia. He has a book and a DVD, Grizzly Heart, telling about his successes in living with the bears in Russia. The premise he wanted to prove was that grizzly bears are not naturally aggressive and mean, but may become so if their only experience with humans is always aggressiveness and meanness towards them.

The annual meeting will be held on Saturday, July 30 at Sondreson Hall. The potluck starts at 5:00 p.m. with the business meeting and elections beginning at around 6:30 p.m. Charlie’s talk begins at 7:30 p.m.