Category: News

Glacier Park taps local stakeholders for feedback as it shapes vehicle-reservation system for third year

Camas Road in Glacier NP as seen from Glacier View Mtn, April 16, 2017 - W. K. Walker
Camas Road in Glacier NP as seen from Glacier View Mtn, April 16, 2017 – W. K. Walker

Looks like reservations will be needed for all Glacier Park entrances next year…

As Glacier National Park finalizes the details of an evolving vehicle-reservation system slated to go online for a third summer in 2023, the most urgent refrain from gateway business leaders is: When?

When will they know next year’s plan to manage vehicle access at entrances girding the million-acre park’s sprawling footprint, around which the economic picture is as diverse as ecologic? When can they begin sharing specifics of the adaptive system so that guests won’t be “blindsided” by changes to its configuration next summer? And when will they know whether two popular entrances that so far have remained unencumbered by the reservation requirement will be added to the list?…

Glacier Park Taps Local Stakeholders for Feedback as it Shapes Vehicle-Reservation System for Third Year

Winter Forest Service Special Use Permits proposed

It’s time for another round of Forest Service Special Use Permits. The official “scoping letter” is linked below. See the project web site for additional documentation, including maps.

None of the proposed Special Use Permits affect the North Fork directly, with the exception of a guided snowmobile tour that comes up from the west side of the Whitefish Divide and terminates at Red Meadow Campground.

Comments are due by November 29.

>> Flathead National Forest Winter Special Uses Scoping Letter (PDF)

 

Thanksgiving at the hall is happening!

Thanksgiving at the Hall, 2017
Thanksgiving at the Hall, 2017

We’re back! Thanksgiving at Sondreson Hall is happening on Thursday, November 24th! Doors open at 3:00pm; food will be served starting at 4:00pm.

Turkey, ham and mashed potatoes will be provided.

Please bring a side dish or dessert to share, as well as your own table service (plate/bowl, silverware, glass, napkin).

Contact Krista Johnson (360-815-5454) or Zoe Zardis (731-695-4528) if you have any questions or concerns.

One last zoning push; County Commissioner’s hearing Nov 1

A message from the North Fork Land Use Advisory Committee . . .

SUBJECT: ONE LAST ZONING PUSH!

It’s time for North Fork Landowners to get our revised zoning Text Amendment across the finish line with the County Commissioners! The NFLUAC needs your help!

WHY IT MATTERS:

Many of you have previously written extremely helpful letters of support for the Text Amendment.  We understand there is “planning fatigue”, but we need you to rally yourselves one last time and submit letters of support! Personalized letters pack the biggest punch, especially if they say WHY this matters to you:

      • Do you have a personal story about how you’ve been, or in the future may be, negatively affected if the zoning is NOT updated?
      • Are you concerned because our zoning is decades out of date and doesn’t meet current growth needs?
      • Are you concerned because our original zoning is sometimes confusing or ambiguous and leads to conflict within the community?

Please send a letter of support to the County Commissioners before the November 1, 2022 hearing, the earlier the better to ensure it is received and read. Their email addresses are: babell@flathead.mt.gov; pholmquist@flathead.mt.gov and rbrodehl@flathead.mt.gov.  The physical address is: 800 S. Main, Kalispell MT  59901.   If you’re not up to letter writing, you can submit a comment here: cocontactus@flathead.mt.gov.    The County Commissioner’s hearing is set for November 1, 2022 at 9:00am, third floor of the courthouse.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

A brief Summary of the Text Amendment, the Text Amendment itself and our letter to the Commissioners are linked below.  Italicized portions of the Text Amendment are those which are unchanged from the existing regulations.

Thank you for your support!

NFLUAC

Attachments

NFLUAC to meet at Sondreson Hall, October 3, 6pm

Sondreson Hall by Gerry StearnsI would like to announce a NFLUAC meeting next Monday, October 3rd at 6:00pm at Sondreson Hall. We hope to see you there as we head down the homestretch. The agenda is attached.

Randy Kenyon
Chair

NORTH FORK LAND USE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING October 3, 2022
SONDRESON HALL 6:00
AGENDA

Call to Order

Members Present

Minutes of the August 4th and 24th Meetings Reviewed

1. Review of Current Status of Text Amendment

2. Discussion regarding the November 1st Commissioner’s meeting.

3. Public Comments

Those with special needs will be accommodated

Prescribed burns planned for Moose and Whale Creek drainages

Flathead National Forest prescribed burns, 2022
Flathead National Forest prescribed burns, 2022

The Flathead National Forest just published information on this fall’s prescribed burns. The only entry of local interest is this one (listed under “Hungry Horse District” for some reason)…

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 4 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.

Of course, any prescribed burn is contingent on weather, fuel conditions, and air quality lining up just right.

The entire press release is available online here:
Fall prescribed burns planned in the Flathead National Forest

NFLA awards certificates of appreciation

At last night”s membership meeting, NFLA President Richard Hildner presented well-deserved certificates of appreciation to the following individuals for their volunteer service to the community spanning a great many years!

Mark and Margaret Heaphy
Randy Kenyon
Bonny Ogle and
Lynn Ogle

(Thanks to Jack McFarland for the photos.)

Mark and Margaret Heaphy
Randy Kenyon
Bonny Ogle
Lynn Ogle