Category Archives: Commentary

Larry Wilson: A look at North Fork politics

Commentary, News, ,

Larry talks about two of the main organizations on the North Fork, the North Fork Preservation Association and the North Fork Landowners Association, and their role in the community.

An excerpt . . .

…In my opinion, the NFPA is a relatively moderate environmentalist group. Although I often disagree with them (I oppose expanding Waterton Park or any Whitefish Range wilderness area), I believe they are sincere in their efforts to protect and preserve North Fork values and lifestyle.

On the other hand, I am a strong supporter of the North Fork Improvement Association, which now calls itself the North Fork Landowners Association. I first became a member in 1955 and, except for a few years when I was away from the North Fork, have been a member since then…

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Another Californian moves to Montana

Commentary, News,

Larry does a sort of late summer review . . .

As North Forkers and Montanans, we consider ourselves fiercely independent. Also, we don’t think much about how others view us — mostly we just don’t care since we don’t envy folks from more populated areas of the country.

Recently, though, a friend who lives in Santa Barbara, Calif., sent me an article from his local newspaper.

Continue reading . . .

About North Fork boat slides and river toilets

Commentary, , ,

The title pretty much covers it. Larry has a few bones to pick with the Forest Service’s river facilities . . .

Last week’s column mentioned concerns that at least some recreationists have regarding Forest Service management of the North Fork River. River launch sites at the international border and at Ford Ranger Station were rebuilt last summer, and both have some problems. In both cases, the boat slides are too narrow and too far apart, making launching very difficult for some inflatables.

Forest Service representatives admitted having multiple complaints, and they intend to make changes. Possible solution is to simply add a third slide between the two already in place to make it possible to slide a boat down lengthwise instead of sideways.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Another outhouse bites the dust

Commentary, News, ,

Larry relates a good outhouse story . . .

I don’t know why outhouses are the subject of so many stories. Maybe because they’re slowly disappearing from rural America, and even where they still exist, they have been replaced by indoor plumbing — even on the North Fork. Whatever the reason, there is one less outhouse on the North Fork today, and its demise is an interesting, and hilarious, story.

A Trail Creek summer resident went outside early one morning this week and immediately noticed that her frame outhouse was missing an entire wall. On closer examination, two walls had been ripped off the small building, and the firewood which had been in the otherwise unused outhouse was scattered on the ground.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Some good advice for June floaters

Commentary, News, ,

Larry talks about the effects of the wet spring weather and discusses safety on the river . . .

It appears that the professional foresters were correct — the lodgepole pine that seemed to be dying only weeks ago are already producing new, green needles. We still need to remember that the foresters also warned that several wet springs in a row could cause the death of some of these young pines.

So far, this spring seems wet to me. In fact, I’m told that Kalispell has had more than two inches of rain above normal for this year to date. I guess that lodgepole pine regeneration would not be hurt by some mortality, but I would prefer to do the thinning myself.

Even though I consider this a wet spring, so far I haven’t seen or heard anything that would indicate we could have any flooding on the North Fork…

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Pertinent information to avoid pouting

Commentary, News, , , ,

Larry talks about the beginning of summer on the North Fork and what to expect in the way of activities . . .

The first North Fork Landowners Association meeting of 2012 was apparently not very well attended. This is not really unusual for June. After all, the majority of landowners are summer residents and not year-rounders. Most NFLA members will be arriving later this month. In addition, quite a few members traveled to the valley this year to attend high school graduations…

I don’t know how the social committee managed to fill so many dates for this summer’s fun activities. All of these activities are open to everyone, whether they are members or not. This creates a need for a subcommittee to make signs, which will be posted at the Polebridge junction and at Sondreson Community Hall. The signs will announce the next social activity and where and when to meet…

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: Red saplings aren’t dying

Commentary, News, , , , ,

Larry discusses what is causing a lot of young lodgepole pine to turn red, admires the work being done on the road and brings us up to date on NFLA activities . . .

Federal and state forestry offices and several retired foresters have been inundated with calls from concerned North Fork residents in the last couple of weeks.

Young lodgepole pine, regeneration from the Wedge Canyon and Robert fires of 2003 seemed to be dying. The saplings, mostly three feet in height or less, were turning red in large numbers and appeared to be dead or dying. Thus the many calls and visits to foresters.

From what I can gather, all the foresters agree. The disease is called Liphodermella needlecast and generally shows up one year after a moist to wet spring — like we had last year. Fortunately, it looks worse right now than it really is. Unless it occurs for an extended period, it seldom kills trees.

Continue reading . . .

Larry Wilson: North Fork road improvements

Commentary, ,

Larry discusses the steady improvements to the North Fork Road, as well as several other projects that have benefited the North Fork . . .

It has been an interesting week weather wise on the North Fork. One day, I was wearing short pants and a T-shirt in near 80-degree weather. The next, I was back in long johns, long pants, flannel shirt and needing a jacket to go outside. Normal spring weather.

The gardeners were all in favor of the rain we received for the rest of the week, but no one was too happy about the colder weather. It did bring other benefits.

The freshly graded road from Camas Bridge to Trail Creek junction was getting pretty dusty, especially north of Polebridge, and the rain settled it for now. Plus, the Flathead County Road Department began putting crushed rock on the road above Polebridge…

Continue reading . . .