Web site aims to protect the Park

A new Web site created by the National Parks Conservation Association aims to expose some of the threats facing Glacier National Park.

ProtectGlacier.com keeps an eye on the Park's environmental news and showcases legislation NPCA and other partners support, most notably the North Fork Watershed Protection Act.

The Act, sponsored by Montana Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester, would ban any future mining and energy development in the North Fork watershed.

Will Hammerquist, of the National Parks Conservation Association, noted the bill had broad support from energy companies, environmental groups and would cost taxpayers nothing.

"We feel there's a lot of support and energy behind S.B. 233," he said.

Montana and British Columbia reached an agreement this year that would ban mining in the watershed and pay off about $9 million in existing mining claims in the province. To date, however, that deal hasn't been completed.

On the U.S. side of the border, many energy companies have voluntarily relinquished mining claims, though there are some parcels in the watershed that still have claims.

The Web site has a host of supporters and 15 partners, including American Rivers, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and Sierra Club of British Columbia.