Old North Shore structure to be removed

After receiving public comment, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks plans to move forward with removing an old bunkhouse and debris for the North Shore of Flathead Lake.

Last week Fish, Wildlife and Parks released their decision notice for the Osprey View Fisheries Conservation Area in Bigfork. The notice outlined public comment that was received about cleaning up the area.

The site, which was purchased in 2009 to help protect water quality in Flathead Lake, has one standing structure, one collapsed structure as well as a pile of old lumber and household debris, which Fish, Wildlife and Parks proposed removing.

“The public identified some important issues, but FWP found no significant impacts on the human or physical environments associated with this proposal,” the decision said.

The buildings were determined to once have been bunkhouses associated with an old homestead. However, the buildings are already so diminished from their original quality that they would not be eligible for any kind of historical designation.

The decision said Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks received twelve comments about the removal of the structures and debris.

Seven of the comments were in favor of the clean up and five were opposed to a portion of the activities.

“Those who expressed concern with the proposed activities requested that FWP retain the standing structure for aesthetic reasons,” the decision notice read.

Though some wanted the old bunkhouse to stay, everyone was in favor of removing the debris.

One argument in favor of retaining the building suggested it provided wildlife habitat. Fish, Wildlife and Parks said in  the decision notice that the buildings are currently being used by rodents, pigeons and possibly skunks, and that those animals will be able to relocate if the structures are removed.

“The management plan for this property prioritizes providing habitat for nesting waterfowl and songbirds and these buildings do not provide this type of habitat,” the decision said.

A few comments indicated they thought the safety concerns were overstated, and that either people should be responsible for their own safety or the site should just be closed to public access.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks said that the property is used and, “as public land managers, we attempt to provide opportunities for public recreation consistent with protecting the habitat values for which the property was acquired.”

As far as losing a certain aesthetic value by removing the buildings Fish, Wildlife and Parks acknowledged that the view will be changed, but pointed out that some people might enjoy the view more without the building, and some more with, and the aesthetic value really comes down to individual taste. The decision also stated that since there is no funding to maintain the building, it would eventually deteriorate if left and would eventually collapse.

“FWP does not believe allowing the building to safely deteriorate over time would maintain the character of the property,” the environmental assessment said. “If FWP left the standing structure in place, safety measures would have to be taken to keep people from entering the building and the building’s openings would all have to be boarded up and a fence constructed around the structure to discourage vandalism and entry.”

During the comment period FWP was contacted by people who are interested in salvaging the wood from the buildings.

The decision said FWP will solicit bids for the cleanup work that allows the contractor to either relocate the standing building or remove and re-purpose salvageable wood. A notice for the bid will appear in local newspapers.

The estimated completion date for the project is the end of February. The funding will come from FWP in the amount of $5,000.