All posts by nfpa

County backs away from North Fork gravel pit limits

October 20, 2010Newsextractive industries, Flathead County Commissioners, gravel pits, North Fork Zoning Districtnfpa

Despite broad-based support from North Fork residents and landowners, the Flathead County Commissioners decided not to decide on a zoning amendment that would restrict the size of “extractive industries” (gravel pits, basically) in the North Fork.

The Daily Inter Lake has a good write-up, including a fair bit of background information . . .

A zoning proposal to limit the size of extractive industries on private land in the North Fork failed to win approval Tuesday from the Flathead County commissioners.

A motion by commissioner Joe Brenneman to approve a zoning text amendment to limit sand and gravel operations and other extractive industries to five acres and 20,000 tons annually failed for lack of a second.

The commissioners left the door open, though, by deciding to take the proposal under advisement and deal with it again “within a reasonable length of time.”

Read the full article . . .

County commissioners to consider North Fork gravel pit zoning

October 17, 2010Newsextractive industries, gravel pits, North Fork Zoning Districtnfpa

The Flathead County Commissioners will consider a zoning change for the North Fork District this Tuesday concerning “extractive industries.” For the North Fork, this amounts to regulating the size of gravel pit operations.

The proposed zoning regulation would limit gravel operations on private land (the county has no jurisdiction over the feds) to five acres in size or an annual production of 20,000 tons of material. The zoning change falls under conditional uses, meaning a review is necessary before any gravel pit could be established.

The County Commission hearing will be held on Tuesday, October 19, at 10:30 a.m. at the Commissioner’s offices at 800 S. Main Street in Kalispell. North Fork residents and land owners unable to attend the meeting can make their voices heard by emailing the commissioners prior to the meeting: Joe Brenneman (jbrenneman@flathead.mt.gov), Jim Dupont (jdupont@flathead.mt.gov), Dale Lauman (dlauman@flathead.mt.gov).

Wilson praises Polebridge Mercantile and Northern Lights Café

October 13, 2010CommentaryLarry Wilson, North Fork Views, Northern Lights Café, Northern Lights Saloon, Polebridge Mercantilenfpa

Larry Wilson’s “North Fork Views” column in this week’s Hungry Horse News heaps well-deserved praise on the Polebridge Mercantile and Northern Lights Café and their new owners.

As usual, Larry’s column is recommended reading.

Polebridge man charged with arson, assault

October 9, 2010Newsarson, assault, Kent Johnsonnfpa

A bit of excitement just north of Polebridge. The Daily Inter Lake has the story . . .

A Polebridge man was arrested Thursday after allegedly assaulting a neighbor and later setting fire to the man’s outhouse and shelter.

Kent Royce Johnson, 60, has been charged with felony arson and misdemeanor assault following the apparent escalation of an ongoing dispute between the two North Fork residents.

Read the full story . . .

Wolves all over the news

October 7, 2010Commentary, Environmental Issues, NewsDenny Rehberg, Endangered Species Act, wolf hunt, wolf recovery, wolvesnfpa

Wolves have been getting enough press the last couple of days to turn a seasoned PR flack green with envy.

Here’s an overview of the more notable local and regional coverage . . .

The Daily Inter Lake has a pretty good write-up on Rep. Denny Rehberg’s local hearing on the impact of relisting gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act.
Bill Schneider unloads on pro-wolf groups in the Flathead Beacon for refusing to consider any comprimise on wolf protection. He argues that the political backlash may put the integrity of the Endangered Species Act at risk. He also provides an excellent summary of the various legislative proposals floating around right now.
By contrast, there’s an AP article in the Missoulian indicating that Montana, at least, is trying to reach a settlement with environmental groups that successfully sued to put wolves back under federal protection.
At the same time, both Montana and Idaho are trying to get the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to allow limited wolf hunts in certain areas under something called the “10(j) rule.” Go figure.

Lots of noise about delisting wolves

October 3, 2010Environmental Issues, NewsEndangered Species List, wolf hunt, wolf recoverynfpa

An AP article posted to today’s Flathead Beacon surveys the various, competing proposals to remove wolves from the Endangered Species List. Must be an election coming up . . .

Two decades after the federal government spent a half-million dollars to study the reintroduction of gray wolves to the Northern Rockies, lawmakers say it’s time for Congress to step in again — this time to clamp down on the endangered animals.

Read the full article . . .

Montana’s congressional delegation aims to delist wolves

September 29, 2010Environmental Issues, NewsDenny Rehberg, Endangered Species Act, Endangered Species List, Jon Tester, Max Baucus, wolf hunt, wolf recovery, wolvesnfpa

From today’s Flathead Beacon, here’s some more information on the attempt to remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List. This write-up includes links to useful external material . . .

Just days after Republican Congressman Denny Rehberg announced that he had drafted legislation that would remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List, Montana’s Democratic Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester said they were introducing a similar bill.

Read the full article . . .

Baucus & Tester introduce bill to return wolf management to Montana

September 28, 2010Environmental Issues, NewsDenny Rehberg, Endangered Species Act, Jon Tester, Max Baucus, wolf huntnfpa

Montana’s congresscritters are really jumping on the wolf issue.

A late post to today’s Missoulian . . .

Montana and Idaho could win back state management of gray wolves through legislation offered by senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester late Tuesday.

The state’s two Democratic senators introduced their bill in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Republican Rep. Denny Rehberg drafted a bill removing wolves from Endangered Species Act protection on Sept. 15, but has not introduced it yet.

Read the full article . . .

Rehberg to hold local wolf hearing Oct. 6

September 28, 2010Environmental Issues, NewsDenny Rehberg, Endangered Species Act, wolf huntnfpa

From today’s Daily Inter Lake . . .

Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., announced Monday that he will host three hearings — including one in Kalispell on Oct. 6 — on the impacts of relisting gray wolves under the Endangered Species Act.

Rehberg is interested in a legislative solution…

The Oct. 6 meeting in Kalispell will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Flathead Valley Community College’s Arts and Technology building…

Read the full article . . .

Montana seeks “conservation hunt” for wolves

September 27, 2010Environmental Issues, Newsconservation hunt, wolf huntnfpa

This will get everyone stirred up. From today’s Flathead Beacon . . .

Montana wildlife officials say they have applied for a special “conservation hunt” for endangered gray wolves . . .

State officials earlier this month asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for an expedited decision on their application so hunting could take place this fall. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from wildlife advocates who accuse the state of making an end-run around the courts . . .

Read the full article . . .

North Fork Preservation Association

News and information about NFPA and the North Fork of the Flathead River

All posts by nfpa

County backs away from North Fork gravel pit limits

County commissioners to consider North Fork gravel pit zoning

Wilson praises Polebridge Mercantile and Northern Lights Café

Polebridge man charged with arson, assault

Wolves all over the news

Lots of noise about delisting wolves

Montana’s congressional delegation aims to delist wolves

Baucus & Tester introduce bill to return wolf management to Montana

Rehberg to hold local wolf hearing Oct. 6

Montana seeks “conservation hunt” for wolves