Page 28 - Flathead Beacon // 3.5.14

28 | MARCH 5, 2014
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OPINION

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LETTERS
In 2011, the B.C. Parliament River downstream of the Columbia Street
passed legislation prohibiting mineral bridge. We have lived there over ive years
ONLINE STORIES
development within the watershed, and have yet to see a single violation of the
permanently protecting the pristine no-wake rules. We view the river daily and
waters of the Flathead on the Canadian probably see fewer than ive motorboats
FLATHEADBEACON.COM
side of the border. In 2013, Baucus and per month. These are all small boats
PROTECTING THE NORTH FORK Tester re-introduced legislation in the limited to the spring-summer season
WATERSHED
U.S. Senate to follow suit. The only piece when the water level is high enough to
After four decades of collaborative missing was a leader to carry the legislation loat. They are usually early morning
efort, protection of the watershed of the Year After in the House of Representatives.
ishermen that are of the river before the
North Fork of the Flathead River from Kalispell Woman’s
Disappearance, a Fortunately for all Montanans, recreational loaters show up.
mineral or energy development is almost Family Waits for Daines took action just six months after Part of the appeal and value of our
a reality.
Answers
taking the oath of oice, and he did so with property is that we can occasionally motor
On June 5, 2013, Congressman thesupportofMontanansfromallwalksof my small watercraft slowly upstream
Steve Daines introduced the North BNSF Freight Train life and a broad range of interests, ranging all the way to Whiteish Lake. Under the
Fork Watershed Protection Act to our Derails Near Olney
from the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce proposed change, that would no longer be
nation’s House of Representatives and to the Montana Wilderness Association. possible. An electric motor does not have
made a commitment to “lead the charge” Great Northern
to pass the bill. “It’s important that we Brewing’s Bittersweet He provided the necessary linchpin that enough power to push my canoe through
Departure
kept the work moving forward.
the fast water under the Spokane Street
work together to protect these valuable As we look to the future, I’d encourage bridge. So those who think allowing
resources so that future generations can Photos | Video: Montanans to keep the common goal of electric motors will appease the motorized
enjoy them for years to come,” he said. “I’m Bighorn Sheep clean water and collaborative watershed users, need to consider this fact.
glad to be part of this important bi-partisan Relocation from Wild management in mind. I also hope many In summary, there is no justiication
efort.” With Daines’ strong support, the Montanans will take a moment to thank to make any changes to the public uses
act passed committee scrutiny and has Horse Island
Congressman Daines for his leadership. allowed on the Whiteish River. There is
gone to the House loor for consideration. Photos: Whiteish
We’re fortunate to have a congressional still plenty of room for all existing uses
With backing by Sens. Max Baucus and Welcomes Home delegation – Republicans and Democrats to continue as they are. Throughout its
Jon Tester, similar legislation received Olympian Maggie alike – who can ind common ground on entire length, the Whiteish River is a
committee approval in the Senate.
Voisin
conservation in an increasingly partisan public waterway that belongs to all the
When Daines stepped up to the political environment. I extend my people of Montana.
podium that day, he did so on behalf of BLOTTER: Puppy sincere thanks to them and to those many I hope this information is helpful
1 million Montanans, representing a Concerns
dedicated groups and individuals who have to you and that you let the FWP hear
long history of bipartisan cooperation to
ensure that the waters of the North Fork Libby Man Dies in worked so hard for so long to complete your voice during the upcoming public
Avalanche Near Troy
the legacy of cooperation to protect the response period.
run clear and undammed for generations Transboundary North Fork Watershed.
Brian Woodward
to come. As a resident of the Flathead Montana Special Dr. Lex Blood Whiteish
Valley for more than 40 years, I am Olympics Kicks Of in Kalispell
proud to have been part of many of these Whiteish
WALSH THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR
cooperative eforts. Beginning in 1972, MISLEADING INFORMATION U.S. SENATE
then-Congressman Baucus supported Winter Storm ABOUT WHITEFISH RIVER Rick Laible’s letter questioning the
legislation designating the North Fork as Blankets Montana
MOTORIZED USE
rationale for the appointment of Lt. Gov.
Montana’s irst Wild and Scenic River. In If you have been following the articles John Walsh to the Senate is based purely on
‘Exciting Time’ in proposing to designate the Whiteish
the early 1970s, the Flathead Coalition, a Montana Agriculture
river as non-motorized, you have not been conjecture (Feb, 26 Beacon: “Editors Miss
broad-based group, was formed to raise the Point”). Gov. Steve Bullock claims to
awareness of the potential for Canadian getting the straight story.
have made an independent appointment
coal mining at Cabin Creek in British Recent newspaper articles have more conforming to the law. I have no reason to
Columbia, just north of the U.S.-Canada than suggested that the FWP (Montana doubt that. From all indications, including
border. The coalition succeeded in Fish, Wildlife and Parks) supports the past interviews, now Ambassador Max
securing congressional funding for the non-motorized designation proposed by Baucus has an insatiable curiosity in global
the city of Whiteish. This is misleading LETTERS
ive-year Flathead Basin Environmental if not completely untrue. The FWP has afairs and geography. Like former Sen. Tell us what you think. To submit a letter, please e-mail your submission
Impact Study. In 1983, as a result of this only agreed to allow the process to move Mike Mansield, who was nominated to to [email protected]. Please
work, Republicans and Democrats in the serve as ambassador to Japan, a seasoned keep your letter to 300 words or less.
Montana State Legislature responded forward with a public comment period. elder such as Baucus, with expertise in The Flathead Beacon reserves the right
to the threat of mining activities in the FWP told me they continue to believe that realpolitik, is an appropriate selection.
to edit letters for length, clarity and
North Fork by creating the Flathead Basin a non-motorized designation is unjustiied John Walsh is a straight talking to prevent libel. Letters must include
Commission. The commission was tasked on the basis of resource protection or former soldier. In a state with the highest the writer’s irst and last name, phone
with protecting “the natural resources public safety.
proportion of veterans in the country, a number and address for veriication
One article stated that the Whiteish purposes. Only the name and hometown
and environment of the Flathead Basin” River could become the only non- soldier’s resume counts. We need a man of the writer will be printed. To mail a
and continues to serve as a model of like Walsh to watch out for our veterans letter, please send to 17 Main Street,
cooperative watershed management.
motorized waterway in the state. That and those Montanans currently serving Kalispell, MT 59901.
Another decade passed, but is not true. There are numerous existing their country. As a former adjutant Fax letters to (406) 257-9231.
Montana’s commitment to clean water non-motorized waterways including general of the Montana National Guard,
never wavered. In 2003, Republican Gov. portions of the Flathead River.
with a 33-year record of serving, Walsh CORRECTIONS
Judy Martz signed the “Environmental The Whiteish City Council built was an appropriate choice. I’ve had the If a Beacon story includes a factual
support for their non-motorized proposal error, please tell us about it. Call
Cooperation Arrangement” with the based on exaggerated claims that there opportunity to meet Walsh several times Kellyn Brown at 257-9220; or e-mail to
government of British Columbia to set was considerable motorboat use and that over the past year. He is approachable [email protected]; or fax to
mutual terms for the management of and intelligent. Like Mansield, he needs 257-9231.
the North Fork Flathead River. In 2010, much of it violated the no-wake rules and not to embellish his words. I understand FLATHEADBEACON.COM
Democratic Governor Brian Schweitzer caused safety concerns and stream bank the sentiments of some Republicans in For daily news, local community pages,
followed in Martz’s footsteps and signed erosion. Now that they have not been able their misconceptions of the appointment. video, multimedia, story archives and
a Memorandum of Understanding with to convince the FWP on those reasons, But this is no time for conjecture and lively online conversation, visit our Web
British Columbia, agreeing not to develop they are now pushing it on the basis of admonishment from the opposition.
site at latheadbeacon.com.
“local social desires.”
mines or energy projects in the Flathead My home fronts on the Whiteish
Dave Fern, chairman
River watershed.
Flathead Democratic Party