Discussions begin on enhancing public access

Public access to the North Shore of Flathead Lake from Holt drive isn’t going anywhere.

In April Holt drive resident Dave Hadden launched a petition asking the Flathead County commissioners to protect and keep for the public’s benefit the county right of way that runs between private property and a wildlife refuge managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park’s off of Holt drive. The access provides the only year-round public access to the North Shore of the Flathead Lake, east of the Flathead River.

The petition, which has almost 1,500 signatures, has opened a discussion between Bigfork community members, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and private landowners along Holt Drive.

While the county has authority over their easements, there is a state statute that prevents them from abandoning the access, Hadden said. In conversations with the county commissioners Hadden said and they have no intention of releasing the right-of-way.

While the public’s access to Flathead Lake at Holt drive isn’t in danger, there are still some concerns regarding safety and usage regulations.

Hadden has been working with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks which, along with landowners, are in early discussions of an improvement plan.

“I’m encouraged that we have that dialog still going on,” Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks science program supervisor Joel Tohtz said. But while discussion is happening, he said they are still far away from implementing anything. “It’s very preliminary,” he said.

So far, general discussion calls for three phases of the access improvement.

The first phase would create parking, alleviating the hazard created by cars parking on the sharp corner of Holt Drive.

The second phase would be signage and education, making it clear where the 30-foot-wide county right-of-way is, what land is privately owned, and when the Fish, Wildlife and Parks land is closed to the public for bird nesting and migration.

“What we’re looking to do is improve the safety and parking,” Tohtz said, “and help define the public access.”

The third phase would build a walkway along the access, further defining the right-of-way, and also helping to protect the surrounding wetland.

“We want to make sure people are not trespassing when things are closed, and that they understand they have access when things are open,” Hadden said. “We’re just trying to provide a way of resolving access, safety and helping people stay within the right-of-way.”

The improvements are unlikely to take place for a year or more, and the public would be given an opportunity to voice their opinions before work would begin.

“We’re going to be as inclusive as possible,” Tohtz said. Hadden launched the petition that started the discussion due to concerns about a neighboring landowner who wanted the Flathead County commissioners to abandon the road and close the access.

The petition is still live on moveon.org.

“There was a need to respond to that and to educate the landowner that it was a county right-of-way,” Hadden said. “I think it’s looking positive.”

The right-of-way was once used to haul gravel to the north shore of the lake for stabilization.

Dave Prunty, the county’s road supervisor, said the right-of-way dates back to the 1890s.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks acquired the land to the west of the easement several years ago, as part of a waterfowl refuge. The refuge is open to public use for a portion of the year, but is closed March 1 through July 15 to protect birds during their nesting and migration.

“It’s really wildlife first in its purpose,” Tohtz said.