Two wolves fulfill hunting quota

It has been a busy week for North Forkers, especially Wednesday. At 10 a.m. The Winter Interlocal started and lasted until nearly 1:30 p.m. Immediately following The Fire Mitigation Committee held a lunch meeting graciously hosted by Esther Chrisman at her Kalispell home with a terrific lunch provided by Esther and daughter Kari. They let me have a slice of both apple and huckleberry pie with ice cream. That alone made the long day of meetings worthwhile. That meeting lasted until 3:45 p.m. and several of us then rushed to the Flathead Forest Service Supervisors Office for a meeting on North Fork recreation that lasted until after 6 p.m. A long day, and from my perspective, filled with positive information and well-thought-out discussion.

First The Interlocal. Blessedly the private groups did not take a lot of time talking about their special calendars. The coalition for Health and Safety favors paving to Camas Junction from Canyon Creek. The Preservation Association is against paving. The County favors paving to Camas so that the state of Montana would assume maintenance of that section of road. All three positions predictable with no action likely since none of them have any money, which makes their positions moot except that folks like to argue about the road.

There was worthwhile discussion about Flathead County applying for a grant to improve the North Fork Road north of Sondreson Hall to the border. Homeland Security, Glacier Park and The Forest Service would help with the county’s share of this project. Since paving would not be involved, just an improved gravel road no opposition was voiced. The Landowners Association Representatives indicated some level of support. Other citizen groups will no doubt weigh in as the grant process moves forward.

The Department of State Lands indicated there will be a timber sale, which will involve loaded logging trucks coming down the Hay Creek Hill to the North Fork Road. This may create a need for limited road closures since the hill is steep, somewhat narrow and winding.

The two wolf kills allowed on The North Fork were taken this year, for the first time since wolf hunting has been allowed. There are no plans to increase the quota and two wolf packs have collared members with a possibility that other packs are on The North Fork full or part-time. Wolves do not need passports to enter or leave the U.S. Likewise they do not need permits in Glacier Park.

Fire mitigation activities will be reported later in the spring.

The Forest Service meeting was very interesting and informative. The meeting was dominated by private river floaters who had excellent points to make. Apparently, the boundary in the middle of the North Fork River is confusing to many. You can camp on the west side but not in Glacier Park. How about the islands? Where exactly is the center of the river and does it change as the water flow changes? How can we work together to educate floaters about etiquette at put in and take out sites and control litter without adding onerous regulations? What is the best way to deal with traffic noise and speed? Thanks to the Forest for providing a forum to discuss river use. There will be more to come as all parties look for solutions. What do you think? Let me know.