In My View

Unanimous Land Board decision a

testament to community involvement

On Monday Nov.15, the Land Board unanimously approved the Whitefish Area Trust Land Plan. The fact that the plan was approved, not to mention by a unanimous vote, is a testament to the hard work by both the citizens of Whitefish, and the DNRC.

It was not an easy process. Anybody who has followed the process knows just how arduous it was. Most of the lands in question have been enjoyed in a multitude of uses by area residents for decades, with little or no understanding that the trust lands also serve another, constitutionally mandated purpose - to generate revenue for the state school trust.

When the DNRC first served notice that these lands were under consideration for development the community was understandably outraged and threatened.

With the tremendous appreciation of property values in the Whitefish area in recent years the DNRC, the agency charged with managing these lands for the benefit of the state school trust, found themselves in the spotlight of increasing pressure to capitalize on the newfound economic value of these lands.

It was an unenviable position for local directors as they soon came to realize just how important these lands were to the community of Whitefish. Through a tremendous grass roots effort, the community rallied together and put on an awesome display of solidarity with regard to these lands.

The historic value of these lands for recreation and open space and their significant role in the vitality of Whitefish's economy was soon apparent to all concerned.

In the fall of 2003, a group of concerned citizens, notably Bick Smith, Jeff Gilman, Marshall Friedman, Tyler Tourville, and Diane Conradi, traveled to Helena and petitioned the Land Board to create an advisory committee that would represent the community's interest in regard to the trust lands. The Land Board obliged, and a year- and-a-half long process commenced.

County Commissioner Gary Hall and Whitefish Mayor Andy Feury appointed a committee of citizens that represented a variety of interests within the community, and they began working with the DNRC to come up with a plan that would be acceptable to all concerned parties.

The advisory committee convened in November of 2003 and, almost immediately, issues of mistrust began to surface. Many members of the advisory committee and the public at large felt that the process was being controlled by the DNRC and the consultant that they had employed to develop the plan.

Thanks to the fund raising prowess of John Kramer and others, many donors came forward specifically Joe and Cora Belle Montalban, Anne and John Collins, Melinda and Mike Goguen, Marie and Michael Shaw, Maura and Drew Bledsoe, Maureen and John King, Jo and Dud Mahler, Tom and Cindy LaChance, Dave and Judy Williams, and a host of others.

Thanks to their generosity, the committee was able to retain the services of Marty Zeller and Conservation Partners. Incidentally, in another show of resolve, every member of the advisory committee also individually contributed to the fund raising effort.

Slowly, things began to take shape; and even though there were numerous bumps in the road, the committee forged ahead and through countless meetings, side meetings, public hearings and internal discourse, the committee achieved a final product that has been mostly palatable to all concerned parties.

It is the optimum solution for every individual that has taken an interest in this process? Of course not. Will some critics lambaste the solutions that the committee has put forth? Probably. Is the community of Whitefish better off for the efforts of the people engaged in finding a solution? Absolutely.

Ultimately only time will tell, but the people that have immersed themselves in the process deserve the utmost respect for their commitment and dedication. They have given so much of themselves.

The members of the committee are Donna Maddux, Charlie Abell, Leesa Valentino, Rob Hedstrom, Paul McKenzie, Steve Lorch, Lisa Horowitz, Tyler Tourville, Marshall Friedman, Greg Gunderson, Jeff Gilman, Sheila Bowen, and Richard Marriot.

Special thanks are due for Sheila Bowen, the logistical coordinator of the committee, Also to Bob Sandman and Greg Poncin who were so critical, not only in conveying the magnitude of the community's concern to the DNRC folks in Helena, but in also giving genuine thought and consideration to the community's preference for these lands; They were instrumental in the success of the plan.

Finally, both Andy Feury and Gary Hall need to be recognized for their efforts in creating such a diverse committee, which was able to come together and put forth a solution that was ultimately accepted by the Land Board.

The next hurdle that we face as a community is to make sure that the spirit of this plan is carried out in the implementation phase of the plan. I would strongly encourage further vigilance and involvement in regards to the Whitefish area state trust lands.

Alan Elm is the Whitefish State Lands Advisory Committee.