All posts by nfpa

Fuels reduction at no cost, maybe?

News,

Wth fire season approaching, this article that appeared in today’s Daily Inter Lake might be worth checking out . . .

Timberland owners in Northwest Montana have an “unprecedented” opportunity for free fuels reduction work with federal stimulus funding being offered through the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

The department is accepting grant proposals through July 10 to award about $4.8 million in 13 Western Montana counties through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“The logging community is very much aware of the grants and is actively seeking project areas,” said Rick Moore, a state service forester.

Landowners, however, are largely unaware of the program, Moore said.

Read the entire article . . .

Updated rules in effect for travel on three forks of Flathead

News,

Planning on a float trip down the North Fork? Better check the new regulations in effect this year. They cover such things as trash disposal (including — *ahem* — “solid human waste”), safety equipment and fire restrictions. More information is available on the Flathead National Forest web site and in a press release titled “River Enthusiasts Reminded to be Prepared“.

World Heritage Committee draft resolution on Waterton-Glacier posted

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

Today’s post on the Waterton-Glacier Endangered web log includes information on the UN World Heritage Committee draft resolution concerning the dangers posed to Waterton and Glacier parks by resource extraction in the Flathead headwaters region — the proposed Cline Mine, in particular. According to the posting, the first draft of the resolution does not explicitly call for placing Waterton-Glacier Park on the list of “Endangered World Heritage Sites,” nor does it yet address any indigenous concerns, including those views expressed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

The UN World Heritage Committee meeting in Seville, Spain runs through June 30th. The schedule document is more than a little opaque, so it is not clear when the resolution on Waterton-Glacier will come up for a final vote.

Web log covers this week’s UN World Heritage Committee meeting

Environmental Issues, News, , , , ,

In case you missed it on the read-through of the article linked in the previous post, Will Hammerquist of the NPCA and Ryland Nelson of Wildsight “…have established a new Web site, savewatertonglacier.com, and will be blogging from Spain throughout the weeklong meeting, in addition to posting pictures and video from the conference.” There’s already a fair bit of material up there, including an initial video made just prior to the World Heritage Committee opening ceremonies.

Coalition petitioning for Waterton and Glacier Park protections

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

Here’s an excellent article — with video — that appeared in today’s Missoulian . . .

Glacier National Park and its neighbor to the north are endangered by mining proposals, and the international community must intervene to protect the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

That’s the message being delivered this week by tribal leaders, community organizers, business interests and conservationists, whose concerns will be aired at the 33rd annual meeting of the United Nations World Heritage Committee.

“Our petition,” said Will Hammerquist, “asks the World Heritage Committee to hear the concerns of local communities and indigenous peoples by recognizing the threat these projects pose to a globally significant ecosystem.”

Hammerquist works for the National Parks Conservation Association, which joined a dozen other groups in petitioning for the endangered status.

Read the entire article . . .

Short piece on Polebridge in Flathead Beacon

Travel Articles,

The Flathead Beacon posted a short “Places” article on Polebridge today . . .

If you’re looking for a quiet place to enjoy just outside Glacier National Park, head up the road to Polebridge for a truly Montana experience.

Located one mile from the northwestern entrance to the park, the Polebridge Mercantile and Northern Lights Saloon is an oasis for the weary traveler. Besides amenities such as gas and groceries, the “Merc” offers world-class pastries and a custom roasted Polebridge blend of coffee. Check out a rustic cabin within walking distance of the old store.

The saloon is the ideal place to grab a bite of pizza or wild game over a cool frosty beverage, which taste even better after a night or two of backcountry camping or a day hike across the park’s border.

Read the entire article . . .

Missoulian leads with story about new Merc owners

News, ,

Today’s top story in the online edition of the Missoulian is about the new owners of the Polebridge Mercantile. It even includes a short video! Here’s the lede . . .

Dan Kaufman has long lived in the cozy rooms upstairs, where fresh-baked smells have soaked the warm walls. But now, he’s moving out.

The saloonkeeper next door might put him up for the summer, in a hut out back, or a tent, or maybe even a treehouse. He’s in the barn, for now.

Kaufman’s in the barn because he and wife Deb have sold the Polebridge Mercantile – their rooms with the views, their gateway to Glacier – to a starry-eyed young couple from Missoula.

Read the entire article . . .

Mines prompt international call for help from Glacier, Waterton national parks

Environmental Issues, News, , ,

From today’s online edition of the Missoulian . . .

The state of conservation at two Northern Rockies national parks near a place eyed for possible coal mining will be reviewed by a UNESCO committee meeting in Spain this week.

Groups that say Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, consisting of a U.S. park and a Canadian park, is at risk hope the meeting in Seville, Spain, will bring their concern some global attention. They’ve petitioned UNESCO to declare the peace park endangered. But a lawmaker in the Canadian province of Alberta rejects any suggestion that coal mining or other industry threatens environmental quality in a slice of North America known for stunning alpine scenery and extraordinary wildlife habitat.

Read the entire article . . .

Also note that there’s still a chance to have your voice heard. The National Parks Conservation Association has an online form for sending letters to officials in the US and Canada, as well as the UN World Heritage Committee.

Pacific Northwest Trail created

News, Travel Articles, , ,

From yesterday’s online edition of the Flathead Beacon . . .

When the national scenic trails system was created four decades ago, the goal was to build a walking path across the United States.

That goal came closer to reality in March, when President Obama signed a bill creating the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail and two others. They are the first such trails designated in 26 years.

Read the entire article . . .

According to a map posted on the Pacific Northwest Trail Association website, the east end of the trail starts in Glacier Park at Chief Mountain Customs near the south edge of Waterton Lake and passes through Polebridge — and a good part of the North Fork —  on its way to Eureka and, eventually, the Pacific Coast at Cape Alava.

Post office redux?

News, ,

All kinds of good information was presented at last weekend’s North Fork Landowners’ Association meeting. Most of this material will no doubt show up on their web site or in the newsletter, but one item needs broader distribution. Stuart Reiswig and Flannery Coats, the new owners of the Polebridge Mercantile, announced that they hope to reestablish the Polebridge post office. This won’t happen unless the US Postal Service sees a lot of community interest. (I believe the actual phrase was, “a hundred screaming heads.” NFLA meetings do have their moments.) Once we find out how to get comments to the proper people in the USPS labyrinth, we’ll post the information here.