City reminds landowners of river, flooplain regulations

Columbia Falls city leaders continue to raise concerns about city residents cutting trees and clearing brush on properties along the Flathead River.

The matter came up again at the Columbia Falls City Council meeting last week.

Apparently at least one home on Riparian Drive has cut more trees and removed more brush than generally what’s allowed along the Flathead River, council members noted.

The tree and brush removal may open up views, but it also can lead to severe erosion and runoff into the pristine Flathead River.

Council directed city manager Susan Nicosia to write a letter to all landowners in the city whose property borders the river to remind them of the restrictions, some of which are written into the conditions of

the subdivisions and others which are part of city code.

Contacted after the meeting, city planner Eric Mulcahy said there aren’t hard and fast rules for some of what’s been done. The city typically doesn’t object to hand removal of brush or limb clearing, but in some cases there’s been logging and heavy equipment used.

“They went a step or two beyond what I’d recommend,” he said.

There are some outright violations, however.

One homeowner in another location in the city along the river built a shed in the floodplain.

The homeowner had agreed to remove it, Mulchay noted.

Work the in floodplain requires a permit.

The city codes note that, “a structure, fill, or excavation that would cause water to be diverted from the floodway, cause erosion, obstruct the natural flow of waters or reduce the carrying capacity of the floodway, “ requires a permit. Having said that, the code goes on to say that, “Notwithstanding these requirements, excavation or fill may be allowed when it is a component to a permitted use allowed in these regulations.”

In other words, homeowners near the river should check with the city on regulations and permits before doing any work.