Another reprieve

Last week, we reported on the failure of tenure sales for coal bed methane development north of Glacier National Park.

Once again, the North Fork gets a reprieve. Whether it's coal bed methane or coal mines, the specter of such development not far from the borders of Glacier National Park rears its head about every 10 years or so. It's been happening since the 1970s.

That's why we agree with folks who say an environmental assessment of the Canadian Flathead is needed. The Canadians and the Americans need to come up with a plan, perhaps even a treaty, that would dictate what is appropriate land use on both sides of the border.

We're not advocating turning all the lands north of the border into a park. Not in the least. What we are advocating is some common sense land-use planning that includes activities like sustainable forestry, fishing and hunting, outfitting, guiding and the like. In short, multiple use that doesn't involve harmful resource extraction.

It's time to start a dialogue between the provincial, state and federal governments. Get some discussion going. These battles every 10 years are getting tiresome.