Park Service green lights Sperry Chalet rebuild
The remains of the Sperry Chalet, as seen in this aerial photo from earlier this spring. The structure was stabilized last fall by a myriad of beams and supports. (Patrick Reilly photo)
The Park Service has determined there will be no significant impact to the environment by rebuilding the Sperry Chalet.
The main dormitory of the chalet was gutted by the Sprague Fire on Aug. 31, 2017. Since then, the Park Service has fast-tracked the effort to rebuild the structure. Last week, the Park released its final report that the rebuilding effort would have no permanent impacts to flora and fauna near the chalet, though it could temporarily displace grizzly bears and mountain goats as construction gets underway.
The Park released an environmental assessment of the project late in April. It received 72 comments. Most of them were in favor of rebuilding the backcountry structure at the base of Gunsight Peak in Glacier National Park.
“Rebuilding historic Sperry is a priority, and I applaud the quick efforts of the Glacier Conservancy, the park, and the park community to move this project forward,” said Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “We are one significant step closer to celebrating future Sperry adventures.”
The Conservancy funded the initial stabilization of the remains last fall and has been financing overflights to monitor the remains this spring.
The Park Service estimates it will take about 150 to 220 flights to haul supplies up to the site. Work is expected to begin July 1 and go into October. A crew of 12 to 25 workers will initially assess the existing stone of the structure, repair as needed and then further stabilize it and get a roof on it by this winter. Next year, the interior work will be completed.
Ballpark estimates put the project at $8 million to $12 million. Flight costs alone will likely cost $1 million over the course of two years.
The finding of no significant impact expanded the reconstruction a bit to include repairs to the dining hall, which was also damaged by the fire.
The state Historical Preservation Office has also signed off on the reconstruction effort, saying the plans for a rebuild will have no impact on the historical aspects of the structure.
“We anticipate any sound insulating or lighting to be innocuous and not at odds with the building’s overall character; and we understand that GNP’s intent is to preserve the stone chimneys.”
SHPO also noted that the floor layout is similar to the 1996 layout, with minimal modifications.
Supplies won’t just be ferried up to the sight by helicopter. It will take between 35 and 60 pack strings to haul supplies up as well. A viewing area will be established so people can watch the construction. There will be quiet hours after 7 p.m. to not disturb campers at the nearby Sperry backcountry campground.
The bulk of the helicopter flights will likely come in the first few days, with as many as 40 to 50 per day at the onset.
Flights will be limited to early morning hours in the fall to avoid disturbing migrating raptors, including golden eagles. Biologists and rangers will also record wildlife impacts during construction.
The Park will allow masons to quarry stone from a nearby talus slope that is not in recommended wilderness.