Much of North Fork is already 'wilderness'

I had never heard of a “liberal conservationist” until that label was applied to me by Matthew Chappell in a recent letter to the editor in the Hungry Horse News.

My opposition to a wilderness on the Whitefish Range led Mr. Chappell to believe that I oppose all wilderness and want motorized vehicles to be allowed everywhere.

He supposes that I might want a parking garage at Polebridge and maybe even a Pizza Hut on Trail Creek.

In fact, his suppositions are just so much horse apples. I do not oppose all wilderness. I do oppose a Whitefish Divide Wilderness for what I believe are good reasons.

In fact I will accompany Frank Vitale to Mt. Thompson-Seton on his mules next month to discuss why he wants a wilderness and why I do not. I will listen to Frank, and he will listen to me.

One or both of us may change our position, or maybe not. The point is, we will listen to each other with an open mind. That’s why I consider Frank a moderate environmentalist — he will not compromise his principles, but he’s willing to listen to another point of view.

Mr. Chappell has no real idea about what I favor, but he’s honest about what he wants. He wants all roadless areas in the state to be designated wilderness — right now. I suspect that he knows that ain’t gonna happen. His desires are not feasible politically or economically.

It’s a fact that half of North Fork drainage is already protected by the U.S. by Glacier National Park. The northwest corner of the North Fork is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as de-facto wilderness, although chainsaws can be used for trail maintenance for Chappell’s horses, mules or foot travel.

Motors can be used on the North Fork River (already protected by the Wild and Scenic River Act) only by search and rescue operations. Snowmobile use is severely limited in the north end of the North Fork, and even firewood removal is limited to current roadways.

In my opinion, what we need is a forest that is managed carefully. We should have a multi-aged forest in every major creek drainage. That would reduce the danger of large stand-replacing fires. It also increases the odds of having old growth stands instead of thousands of acres of lodgepole pine. This is also the best way to ensure a stable and diverse wildlife population.

I have an ATV but think they should be kept on roads and limited off-road areas to prevent erosion. I no longer have a snowmobile but feel they do not harm the forest, since snow tends to melt every spring and their tracks are only temporary. Many areas should remain wild but protected by careful management, not necessarily a wilderness area.

P.S. I oppose all ski resorts on National Forest land. They create permanent clear cuts on steep ground and tend to alter or impede natural water flow. That includes Big Mountain and Thompson-Seton.