Swan Crest run disputed as invasive

Andrew Matulionis sees a 100-mile footrace along the Swan Crest as a grueling, but also a fantastic way to showcase some of the best landscape the Flathead Valley has to offer.

But environmentalist Keith Hammer and the Swan View Coalition are threatening to sue the Forest Service if the race goes through, claiming it could harm grizzly bears.

Matulionis and other race organizers have asked the Forest Service for a special use permit to hold the race from July 30 to 31 along Alpine Trail No. 7 from Swan Lake to the Columbia Mountain Cabins. He explained the race will require that runners view a bear safety video prior to the run and all racers will be required to carry bear pepper spray.

The race will also circumvent the Jewel Basin primitive area, Matulionis noted.

But Hammer claims that's not good enough. He said in an interview last week that the run will displace grizzly bears and will amount to too many parties on the trail at one time. As such, it's a violation of the Endangered Species Act, he claimed.

Swan View has filed a 60-day notice to sue the Forest Service if the race is approved and it will also seek a court injunction to stop the race.

Hammer and a group known as the Swan Rangers hike in the same area, often in large groups. How is this different?

He claims that because the runners are spread out, each runner amounts to a single "party." In effect, there will be 50 parties out on the trail at once, he claimed. How is that different than heavily used trails in Glacier National Park, which see hundreds of hikers a day in prime grizzly bear habitat?

Hammer claimed Park bears in those areas are "familiar" with with people and that he didn't want the same thing happening to Swan Crest grizzlies.

Matulionis said the race won't amount to 50 parties anyway. In many cases, runners stay together, to help each other along. In addition, the race amounts to a "long, glorified hike for people in really good shape."

While the race has local sponsors, like Hammer Nutrition, there is no prize money other than a T-shirt for finishing the race. The race would be completely over in about 36 hours. And it would have medical support staff and on-call support from horse parties if needed for rescue.

Matulionis noted that if runners on a trail that already sees dozens of hikers and motorcyclists a day is deemed inappropriate, what's next?

"Do you need a permit to have a picnic?"

Swan Lake District Ranger Richard Kehr said the threat of a lawsuit has no bearing on the review process for the race. Kehr said the Service will consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on potential impacts to grizzly bears and it will also send out a 'scoping" letter this week to gauge public reaction to the race.

Shorter runs on the Forest have been approved by the Forest Service in the past.

Hammer claims the race should be moved to a less sensitive area in the valley.