North shore conservation group gaining momentum

The newly formed conservation group Community Association for North Shore Conservation received a gift of $1,000 and a second dollar-for-dollar matching gift of $1,000 from the Flathead Lake Protective Association.

The organization, which is devoted to conservation of the north shore of Flathead Lake, has a fundraising party at the Garden Bar in Bigfork on Jan. 31. The matching grant will be awarded following that event. Every dollar earned during that event up to $1,000 will be matched by the Flathead Lake Protective Association.

“The group has done a great job of engaging the Bigfork community and beyond in the protection of the north shore of Flathead Lake, east of the River,” said Bruce Young, a board member of the Flathead Lake Protective Association. “Our group certainly wants to help protect the north shore and supports CANSC which faces significant costs in their efforts to protect Flathead Lake.”

The organization has prepared a legal complaint against Flathead County for its issuing a lakeshore construction permit in 2011 that allowed the construction of a roadway, driveway, and bridge to Dockstader Island on the north shore of the lake, about one mile west of Bigfork. 

The organization claims that the county violated its own rules by allowing a road to cross the Lakeshore Protection Zone. Attorney for the group, Don Murray, said he has completed the complaint that will be filed with the court as soon as possible.

Dave Hadden, chairperson of the conservation organization, said the challenge grant will help attract additional donations “from folks concerned about the bridge.”