Category: Committees

Slash pile processing starts next week on Red Meadow and Moose Creek roads

Hay Creek Fire Type 3 Team LogoA note from Rob Davies, Hungry Horse-Glacier View District Ranger:

We will be initiating a contract next week in response to the large slash piles left from the Hay Creek Fire fuel breaks.

Plowing of the Red Meadow road will be allowed up to the Spruce Creek Road (about 2 miles) where that very large slash pile exists.  The contractor will be grinding slash, loading into trucks and hauling back to town.

There are other slash plies up the Moose Creek Road that will also be ground up and hauled off.

The Moose Creek Road is already plowed, which shouldn’t create any issues, but the Red Meadow Road activity will create a situation where snowmobilers need to drive  with their trailers up to the Spruce Creek road junction instead of parking at the bottom where the  North Fork Road Connects to Red Meadow. A turn-around and small parking area will be plowed out at the junction of Red Meadow and Spruce Creek Roads.

Hauling is not expected to be very frequent — maybe two loads a day. Activity may occur all winter until the county sets load limits  in the spring. We don’t know if the contractor will start at Moose Creek or Red Meadow Road but as I get more details I will share them with you.

Feel free to call myself (406-387-3801) or Timber Management Assistant Paul Donnellon (406 387-3807 or 406 260-7264), at the ranger station in Hungry Horse.

North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee meeting for Dec 22 canceled

There has been a recent significant turn of events in the Avila zoning variance matter. It appears now our zoning language makes this variance a done deal. This is confirmed by the planning office email below. This, along with a variety of other logistical considerations, has placed the NFLUAC in an awkward position. This has led to the difficult decision of canceling the upcoming meeting scheduled for this coming Wednesday the 22nd. We do feel it remains important to express your concerns to the planning staff and Board of Adjustment. This outcome underscores the need to complete the text amendment revision. These efforts proceed on and we can assure all landowners that their participation in this endeavor is essential. We look forward to your continued support.

NF Neighborhood Plan and Zoning 3.40.04

3. Any existing lot or tract which cannot meet these setbacks because of size or topographic limitations will be given a variance.

 I spoke with Erik, the director, and he did confirm that this particular variance, it did meet the criteria for approval as stated in The Zoning Regulations, Section 3.40.03 (as you had referenced earlier) and will be granted.  The review of the LUAC is just a formality and will go forward.

 

North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee meets Dec 22, 5:00pm, at Sondreson Hall

NORTH FORK LAND USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 22ND 5:00PM
SONDRESON HALL

CALL TO ORDER

THOSE PRESENT

READING OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES

1. THE COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW, DISCUSS AND RESPOND TO AN APPLICATION FOR A ZONING VARIANCE SETBACK ON BEHALF OF ALEXANDRA AND CAESAR AVILA AT THEIR TRAIL CREEK PROPERTY. THE LINKS BELOW WILL TAKE YOU TO THE VARIANCE INFORMATION PACKET.

2. BRIEF DISCUSSION REGARDING THIS COMMITTEE’S VACANCY.

PUBLIC COMMENT

THOSE REQUIRING ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE HONORED.

Document links:
Agency Comments
Agency Referral Letter
Application
Parcel Information Report
Site Plan

 

North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee meeting, Nov 30

Sondreson Hall by Gerry StearnsNORTH FORK LAND USE ADVISORY BOARD COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30th, 2021
SONDRESON HALL
4:00 PM

Call to Order

Members Present

The sub committee is providing the North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee with a progress report including the status of the draft text amendment.

Public comments

Accommodations for those with special needs will be honored.

Firewise USA membership emphatically renewed

A note from Molly Shepherd of the NFLA’s Fire Mitigation Committee . . .

Our Firewise USA membership has been renewed, thanks to the efforts of North Fork landowners and our agency partners.

We had a phenomenal year: $132, 544 total “investment,” reflecting both hours and expenses contributed by the North Fork community. Our required minimum Investment was $12,240. The value of our investment per dwelling unit was $294.54; we were required to have a minimum of $27.20, or $1 per dwelling unit.

The Hay Creek fire, and encouraging people to submit their Firewise-qualifying hours and expenses, accounted for our higher numbers this year. I suspect that many hours weren’t reported, however.

Thank you all for your contributions and your support of the North Fork’s Firewise program. And have a happy Thanksgiving!

North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee to meet Nov 11

NORTH FORK LAND USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING AGENDA
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11TH, 2021
SONDRESON HALL
6:30PM

Call to Order

Members Present

The sub committee is providing the North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee with a progress report including the status of the draft text amendment.

Accommodations for those with special needs will be honored.

Prescribed fire work in the North Fork

Flathead National Forest just put out a press release listing the prescribed burns HHGV Fire Management Logoplanned for this fall. The only entry concerning the North Fork is…

Red Whale Fuels Reduction – Approximately 750 acres will be targeted for prescribed burning this fall in Moose creek and Moran creek. This project location is in the North Fork of the Flathead about four miles northwest of Polebridge. Depending on weather this burn is planned for mid to late September to early October. The purpose of this project is to help restore a more historical fire regime to the ecosystem, improve wildlife habitat and reduce hazardous fuels to reduce wildfire risk and aid in potential future fire suppression efforts, and improve wildlife habitat.

According to Andy Huntsberger, our District Fire Management Officer, “…it is very unlikely that we will be doing any burning besides piles on Glacier View District this fall. The window for activity fuels and ecosystem burning will probably close after next week and our priorities will be in the Southfork. I’m not saying it won’t happen but I am saying it is very unlikely. “

Reminder: First NFLA meeting of 2021-2022 season, Sep 12

Sondreson Community Hall
Sondreson Community Hall

The North Fork Landowners Association hosts its first meeting of the 2021-2022 season on September 12, 2021. We begin with a North Fork history presentation by Lois Walker and Arne Boveng at 7pm followed by the general membership meeting at 8pm.

Here’s your opportunity to meet our new officers, learn what they are planning for next season and how you can be an active part of our community. On the agenda is a report from our new president, Richard Hildner, regarding North Fork Road conditions and Glacier View Drive. We will also discuss the time for NFLA meetings each month (no changes may be made to the regularly scheduled date of the meeting).

Bring a snack to share, and join us for an interesting presentation by the History Committee at 7pm followed by our Membership meeting at 8pm.

Please note that COVID-19 precautions at Sondreson Hall are governed by the current CDC recommendations for meetings in public venues in areas of the country of “substantial or high transmission” for the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. Seating will be socially distanced (six feet spacing), although family members may wish to sit closer together. Masks and hand sanitizer will be available to those who need them.

View current meeting agenda.

September-December Wildland Fire Potential Outlook

September 2021 Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook
September 2021 Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook

Here is the Wildland Fire Potential Outlook for September, October, November.  As you all are aware, we turned a corner in mid-August in the North Fork with the moisture we received.  A big change that significantly slowed the fire season for us.  And the good news is that we are forecast to continue to be a “normal” fire season through September, October and November.  Plus, with a La Nina forecast for Montana this winter, you all need to be tuning up your snowblowers and getting your firewood laid in.

While that is good news for Northwest Montana, Oregon and Washington will continue to be busy through September, Northern California gets no relief until December.  Grim.

See the full report (PDF format) for further details.