Page 30 - Flathead Beacon // 7.15.15

CLOSING RANGE 31 LIKE I WAS SAYIN’ 32 AMERICAN RURAL 32 Viewpoints
LETTERS
Addressing Risks of More Active Fire Seasons
It’s looking like another difficult fire season. I’ve experienced many over the course of my 40-year career with the U.S. Forest Service. During that short span of time, active fire seasons have become more frequent, severe and costly. The reasons for this are varied, but climate change and weather play a significant role in the occurrence and severity of such events. While people debate the reasons for this change we will all live with its consequences.
Threats to our forests and communi- ties from unwanted wildfire are all too real, especially to those who have lost homes, suffered damage to property or worse. Not to mention, firefighters and pilots who put themselves in harm’s way to contain and control fires. These threats can be mitigated (not elim- inated) by appropriate and well-de- signed treatments that approximate natural disturbance (e.g. thinning and prescribed burning).
Montana’s Congressional Delegation is looking for ways to address the con- cerns and risks confronting the public and the resources they are responsible for. I commend their efforts and encour- age them to work together to find ways to reduce conflict and delays.
A recent article titled “Roll Call: The Two Fold Solution to Protect our National Forest and Communities” written by retired Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, and Chairman of the National Association of Forest Retirees Jim Golden make valid points.
Proposed legislation such as The Resilient Federal Forest Act of 2015 (HR 2647) cosponsored by Montana Con- gressman Ryan Zinke, which empow- ers collaboratives and reduces incen- tives to file law suits, and The Wildfire Disaster Funding Act (HR 165/S 235), which improves funding strategies, would be helpful in addressing some of the issues faced by agencies that must manage our forest while protecting our communities.
A sense of urgency is needed. It cer- tainly is by those whose lives and prop- erties are threatened.
Tim Love, retired district ranger Seeley Lake
Time to Update Kalispell Schools’
Non-Discrimination Policy
As the Kalispell School Board consid- ers updating their non-discrimination policy to include sexual orientation and
gender identity/expression, I wanted to voice my support for this important policy.
There will be another public meet- ing later this month to discuss the pro- posed changes, and it is my hope that the school board chooses to save lives and to stand on the right side of history by updating their policy quickly and without delay.
I am a mother myself, and I know how important it is to me that my chil- dren are able to get a quality education. My children have occasionally been bullied due to special needs or religious differences. Sometimes these have been dealt with appropriately and sometimes ignored by staff. I also teach an inclusive sex-ed class and the lack of knowledge and support in many of schools for our LGBT students is alarming. For parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgen- der students, there is the added anxiety and fear that comes from not knowing if your child will be bullied, harassed, or discriminated against at school.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to explicitly include sexual orienta- tion and gender identity/expression in the school district’s policy. This act not only makes LGBT students less vulnera- ble, it also provides teachers and admin- istrators the necessary support to inter- vene. As a result, everyone is held more accountable.
Perhaps most importantly, this pol- icy change would signal to LGBT stu- dents that they matter and are an inte- gral and important part of the student body. It would create a safer and more welcoming school environment not just for LGBT students, but for all youth in the Kalispell school district.
When it comes to the safety of our youth, we can’t afford to wait.
Paige Rappleye, Kalispell
Hecla Mining an Essential Part of
Our Community
As mayor of Juneau, Alaska I extend my congratulations to the communities of Troy, Libby, Noxon, Thompson Falls and the surrounding area. You are for- tunate to have a company like Hecla Mining coming to your region.
The Greens Creek Mine has been a stalwart of the Juneau economy since the late 1980s. Hecla has been involved with the project since 1987 and became 100 percent owners in 2008. The Greens Creek Mine means more than 800 direct and indirect jobs for the South- east Alaska economy and more than three-quarters of a billion dollars in
economic impact in just the last five years alone.
Greens Creek Mine is an under- ground silver mine located in a truly unique location. The mine is on Admi- ralty Island, operates within the Ton- gass National Forest and partially in the Admiralty Island National Monument – and is adjacent to the Kootznoowoo Wilderness. Kootznoowoo means “for- tress of the bears,” and the mine was carefully designed, constructed and is being operated to coexist with the high- est population density of brown bears in North America. In addition, the mine operates in harmony with all five spe- cies of Pacific salmon, along with rich summer feeding grounds for whales off- shore. I’m confident the Hecla team will bring this successful experience and lessons learned to address all reason- able concerns related to protection of bears and fish in Northwest Montana’s Kootenai National Forest.
While the company is committed to operating the mine in an environmen- tally responsible manner, Hecla’s long standing involvement in the community has been perhaps the company’s greater quality. The men and women working at Hecla are active participants in the Juneau business community, civic asso- ciations, education and elected govern- mental roles. They are integral to the community and their passion and pro- fessionalism makes Juneau an even better place to call home. We are very fortunate to have them in our commu- nity and know you too will find them to become a key part of your community once the Rock Creek project is success- fully permitted.
Merrill Sanford, mayor Juneau, Alaska
CORRECTIONS
In a story published in the July 1 edition of the Flathead Beacon, titled “Junior Police Academy Brings Law Enforcement Closer to Community,” stated that the academy was sponsored by the Kalispell Police Department. It should have stated that the academy was sponsored by Grizzly Security and Armored Express.
A story in the July 8 edition of the Flathead Beacon incorrectly stated that a public meeting on the Going-to- the-Sun Road Corridor Management Plan was scheduled July 19. No meeting is scheduled.
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JULY 15, 2015 | FLATHEADBEACON.COM
LETTERS
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