County says it's a bridge too far

Developer will not build private bridge across Flathead River

By K.J. HASCALL / Hungry Horse News

Applause filled the hearing room Tuesday when the county commissioners decided to abandon the last 150 feet of Gamma Road in Hungry Horse.

Developer Bill Daggat had approached the county about building a private, gated bridge at the end of Gamma Road, also known as Road 483, to provide another entrance to Flathead River Ranch. The proposed bridge would span what many consider to be the most beautiful part of Bad Rock Canyon, where thousands of people float and fish the Middle Fork every year.

"I feel like we're stewards of the river," said Craig Drynan, who lives at 140 Gamma Road. "We're so happy the future generation has a place to float, fish and recreate without any overhead obstructions."

Drynan and his wife Susan own the lot through which the road easement passes. The road had been all but legally abandoned years before and was covered in bushes and trees.

The Drynans and their neighbors contested that building a private bridge would obstruct the views on the river and prove to be a safety hazard.

"I've kayaked the river over 600 times," Craig said. "I want to protect this wild and scenic river corridor for your grandchildren's children. This canyon is its crown jewel. Wild and scenic does not include private, gated bridges."

Drynan continued through a litany of reasons in favor of abandoning the road. They included the fact that residents on Gamma Road were against building a bridge, that wildlife would be scared away by increased traffic and that the quality of life for residents on Road 483 would decrease, that plows would have to find somewhere else to push snow in the winter, that the way to Gamma Road is by making a dangerous left turn off U.S. Highway 2 in Hungry Horse and that the bridge would provide an "attractive nuisance" for local teenagers.

The proposed bridge could have spanned the river at more than 60 feet high.

"Add 60 feet and alcohol and you have a cocktail for major injuries and death," Drynan said.

Susan Drynan also addressed the commissioners in an emotional, passionate address.

"Our lives are directly affected by your decision today," she said. "Your decision will impact the lives of every man, woman and child for generations to come. You guys will shape the future. Please set a precedent we can all live with."

More than 20 people attended the hearing. The Drynans, their lawyer, neighbors and river users spoke in favor of abandoning Road 483 — except for a six-foot wide pedestrian pathway — and against building the bridge to Flathead River Ranch.

"This stretch of river is one of the most aesthetic canyons on the river," said Tom Esch, the Drynan's legal counsel. "Touted by the developer in trying to sell the property. But this road wasn't intended to cross the river."

Esch said that the river once curved down to the riverbank during the construction of the Hungry Horse Dam. He also contended that Daggat used shady means of creating the Flathead River Ranch subdivision, by first claiming a method of subdivision called family transfer. But instead of a family enclave, Daggat planned a gated community.

In a Hungry Horse News article from Nov. 30, 2006, George Smith, a planner with the county planning office, said that the process by which the subdivision was created was legal, but that it "avoided the spirit and intent of county planning regulations."

Erica Wirtala, a land use planner with Sands Surveying, took the floor in favor of building a bridge. She contended that according to Montana Code Annotated, the county commissioners could not abandon Road 483 because the road provided access to the river and not all landowners agreed to the abandonment.

Wirtala also noted that Jimmy DeHerrera, the Hungry Horse-Glacier View District Ranger, said the forest service had no jurisdiction in the portion of the river in question.

Members of the audience were not swayed by these arguments.

Following Wirtala's address, four people from Martin City and Hungry Horse spoke in favor of abandoning the last 150 feet of Gamma Road. They shared memories of fishing in that spot, of watching eagles teach their young to fly and fish. A man from Bigfork also spoke in favor of abandonment.

"The recommendation is to abandon this with a pedestrian right of way," said Commissioner and Chair Joe Brenneman.

Outside, following the unanimous decision to abandon the road, the members of the public who attended the meeting embraced.