Page 25 - Flathead Beacon // 7.30.14

FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS JULY 30, 2014 | 25 Off the Blogs
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MOUNTAIN EXPOSURE
WOLF STAMP HEARING SET FOR AUG. 14 IN KALISPELL
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will conduct public hearings on Aug. 14 at several locations on proposed new rules to establish a voluntary wolf man- agement stamp for anyone to make a do- nation to Montana’s wolf management program.
FWP is hosting an event in Kalispell at 6 p.m. at its headquarters at 490 N. Meridian Road.
The proposed rules would direct FWP to make available for sale a $20 wolf stamp and would define how the voluntary donations would be allocated to wolf management activities. Under the new rules, money received from the sale of wolf management stamps would be considered a donation and must first be used to pay for the cost of administer- ing the stamp program. The remainder would be required to be equally distrib- uted for livestock loss reduction pro- gram grants, wolf monitoring, habitat projects, scientific research, public edu- cation and outreach, and law enforce- ment.
The public comment deadline has been extended to Aug 22.
GLACIER PARK BEGINS SUN ROAD NOISE STUDY
Glacier National Park will begin a vehicle noise project along the Going-to- the-Sun Road this month in an effort to reduce vehicle noise and preserve natu- ral soundscapes in the park. Two road- side noise meters will be placed along the Sun Road to collect decibel level data. Driver education and outreach ef- forts will also take place.
The meters will be placed near the St. Mary and West Glacier entrance sta- tions. Additionally, information about how to minimize noise impacts from vehicles will be available at park visi- tor centers. The project is anticipated to continue through mid-August and is part of the Going-to-the-Sun Road Cor- ridor Management Plan development process.
Park spokesperson Denise Germann said natural sound is an important nat- ural and cultural resource the National Park Service is mandated to protect. Maintaining natural soundscapes is critical for the preservation of wildlife habitat, wilderness character, and cul- tural heritage, Germann said. Wildlife use natural sounds to establish territo- ry, find mates, protect young, and com- municate.
Vehicle noise disturbance is a com- mon complaint from Glacier National Park visitors, as many people seek soli- tude and quiet experiences in the park’s
backcountry, according to park officials. Numerous comments regarding noise disturbance were received during the Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Man- agement Plan public meetings last year.
The study will address noise from a variety of sources including park opera- tions, construction, maintenance and transportation. While all vehicles and visitors contribute to increased noise, low-frequency sound from motorcycles travels further than typical passenger cars and trucks. Noise modeling at the park has shown that some motorcycle noise reaches far into the backcountry in a number of locations along the Go- ing-to-the-Sun Road. A brochure will be provided to motorcycle users with suggestions on how to ride respectfully through national parks.
OVER 150 BUSINESSES TO CELEBRATE ‘ONE DAY FOR GLACIER’
On Saturday, Aug. 2, over 150 busi- nesses are partnering with Glacier Na- tional Park Conservancy to celebrate “One Day for Glacier,” benefiting Glacier National Park. Businesses from across western Montana are taking part in the inaugural One Day for Glacier.
Participating businesses will be ask- ing customers to round up their pur- chases or donate an extra dollar. Others have made a flat donation, while some are matching customer donations. Each business will have a sign hanging in their window explaining how they are con- tributing, and ways that customers can participate.
“Glacier is our business,” said Ben Eisinger of Eisinger Automotive Group. “One Day for Glacier is our way to give a little bit back to the park that gives us so much.”
Eisinger Motors and Eisinger Honda will donate five dollars for every pur- chase over $50 on August 2.
In Whitefish, several youth groups plan to set up lemonade stands down- town and donate a portion of the pro- ceeds to Glacier National Park Conser- vancy.
One Day for Glacier is being celebrat- ed in conjunction with the Backpacker’s Ball, Glacier National Park Conservan- cy’s signature fundraising event. The event is sold out, and is expected to bring in well over $100,000 in essential sup- port for Glacier National Park.
This year Glacier National Park Con- servancy is investing in over 20 projects throughout the park, from education op- portunities for school children to trail and lookout rehabilitation and the relo- cation of the Apgar Visitor Center.
To learn more, visit: http://glacier- conservancy.org/newsblog/celebrate- 1-day-for-glacier-on-august-2/
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