$10 million conservation bond on ballot

By HEIDI DESCH / Hungry Horse News

On Nov. 4, Flathead County voters will be asked to approve or deny a bond to conserve land.

Flathead County Commissioners last month approved placing the $10 million Land and Water Conservation Bond request on the ballot.

If approved, the County could use the money to purchase conservation easements. It could also be used to purchase waterfront or trail access and parklands.

One area resident spoke to the Columbia Falls City Council at its Sept. 15 meeting on the bond.

Myrt Webb, a member of the committee, gave a short presentation on the bond.

He told the council that some 6,000 square acres of Flathead County is made up of private land.

"That's larger than most counties," he said. "Some of that should be protected for water quality, parks, working forests, traditional access to recreation, wildlife habitat and farms."

Webb pointed to the County's growth policy which states that people are interested in having clean water and protecting lands.

If approved, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay about $20 per year. The bond would be paid off over 20 years.

Webb said that a phone survey found that folks are willing to tax themselves to protect these resources.

Without the tax, Webb noted, there wouldn't likely be funding for such a project.

"You know how municipal government works," Webb told the Council. "There's a lot of things you'd like to do for the future, but you've got to fill pot holes now."

According to the committee's Web site, the County Commissioners will set up a volunteer steering committee to help decide how the money should be spent. The committee would investigate conservation proposals.

The County would work out voluntary conservation agreements in exchange for protecting water and other resources. Buying land would also be an option.

Webb spoke to the Council to inform them of the bond.

"I'm asking for your personal support of this," he told the Council.

Supporters of the bond have created a Web site with information on the bond at www.flatheadlandandwater.com.