North Fork threat level still secret

It has been another action-packed, fun-filled week on the North Fork, with community service, educational, informative and just plain fun social events. The biggest gathering was for the interlocal meeting, which I would call informative and educational.

For several years, the Border Patrol has been asked about the threat level on the North Fork and whether or not arrests have been made here and, if so, for what offense. The Border Patrol's reply is that they can tell us arrests have been made but they cannot provide details or inform us about the threat level.

I can understand not being informed about the threat level - that might fluctuate from day to day subject to nationwide possibilities. I don't understand why we cannot be told about North Fork arrests and what the violations were. Even assuming continuing investigation of a particular event, they could give us details of 2008-2010 arrests. We would then know what to watch for and could even aid the Border Patrol with information.

Flathead County was represented by the road department, and while given praise for work done on the lower end, they were chastised for the lack of effort from Trail Creek to the international border. That stretch was closed earlier in the spring due to water and mud, and county efforts to date have solved the "Ovila Lake" problem, but the "Prunty" mud bog remains rough and deeply rutted. Both the county and the Forest Service were asked - again - to pick up their trash, especially old culverts left along the right-of-way when new culverts are installed.

Contracts have been let by the Forest Service for the long awaited Red Whale fuel mitigation project. We all hope it is as well done as the Trail Creek project, and that brush piles are burnt in a more timely manner.

It was interesting to me that the wolf season, which will allow more than 200 wolves to be killed, still only allows two kills on the North Fork. This is the same as the last season, when only 76 kills were allowed statewide. Quotas are much larger where livestock depredation has occurred.

Although the Weed Committee did not receive a grant this year, they are continuing their community service with organized weed pulling. This week, they worked at Sondreson Meadows and also hosted an informational/educational seminar at Sondreson Hall, which was attended by a dozen people, including a speaker and representatives from Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest. Weeds will no doubt be an issue for the foreseeable future.

Finally, for just plain fun, the ice cream and pie social was followed by a successful dance with live music. Admission fees of $5 for adults and $2 for children raised $275 of the $300 cost, and private donations paid the balance plus some gas money for the band. I hope this activity continues. What do you think?