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One of the perils of life is putting too much value on “stuff.” Stuff can be about anything. It can consist of what we have or what we don’t have. Much of life is about our stuff. Our house, cars, things in the house. Things around the house and things in the garage, storage building, barns and more barns. If we work hard, it’s possible to accumulate lots of stuff. Often, we have more than we need. We paint, stain, groom and polish our stuff. Sometimes we put in in cases, drawers, cabinets and even safes. We know how difficult it is to buy and...
Letter from Missoula County commissioners regarding Holland Lake Lodge Dear Mr. Steele, The Missoula Board of County Commissioners continues to hear concerns from a diverse range of constituents regarding public engagement and regulatory review of proposed changes at Holland Lake Lodge. Many of the concerns have also expressed questions about whether proposed changes to Holland Lake Lodge are in the public interest. Based on the input we received, we believe a more transparent decision-making process and robust approach to public engagement...
A resident’s reaction to the Elbow Lake gravel pit permit In response to the DNRC and DEQ approving the Elbow Lake gravel pit and asphalt plant, I would like to make several points. First of all, the DNRC dismissed the hydrologic concerns of the Clearwater Resource Council (CRC) as expressed during the public comment period. The DNRC did not do any further analysis, only writing that the CRC’s map was “not accurate” without providing any scientific data to demonstrate the state’s stance. Here are other quotes from the DNRC’s Environment...
Letter regarding Elbow Lake Commenters on the MT DNRC’s Elbow Lake gravel pit/asphalt plant proposal received notice on May 15 that it has been approved. The MT DEQ had already approved the permit, on April 27. In case you missed it earlier, this is the proposal by Kalispell-based LHC Inc. to establish a new 21-acre gravel pit and asphalt plant directly beside the Clearwater River, across the road from the Blackfoot-Clearwater Game Range, within a parcel designated Tier 1 Community Type of Greatest Conservation Need because it is grizzly and e...
Editor, One of the greatest things about the valley has always been its diversity, from its timber base to its wildlife. The complexity and abundance of both would be hard to dismiss for anything other than a great blessing. This abundance has supported and bolstered human life since man first set foot here. That is all changing. The timber base is being eroded away by a multitude of reasons. Disease, fire, logging, road widening and development. They are all contributing in one degree or another. the end result is a loss of habitat to...
I applaud Representative Matt Rosendale for being one of the strongest advocates for fiscal responsibility in DC. As negotiations between the White House and Republicans have had little success, our congressman has continued to voice strong solutions that will keep the US from defaulting on its debt. Both parties admit that defaulting on our nation’s debt is the wrong course for the US. But unless Democrats are willing to cut back on their erratic spending, a deal will not be reached. Montana’s small businesses are at serious risk of becoming t...
In response to your letter in the May 11 edition, I just wanted to relay that I am pleased with the Pathfinder’s progress. You have particularly improved dramatically the editorial quality. By all means, expand local content as you can, but I think you are doing a very good job. Keep it up! Sincerely, Andrew Chritton (Woodworth area)...
Governor Greg Gianforte’s attempt to veto Senate Bill 442 is unpopular, inexplicable, and contrary to the wishes of both the legislature and the people of Montana. His veto ignores 132 legislators from both parties who voted for SB 442. It ignores 56 county commissions and numerous local governments who support the bill because it supported needed county road maintenance, enabling farmers and ranchers to get their products to market and EMTs to respond to emergencies. It ignores the needs of veterans, who would benefit from increased funding f...
Livestock Industry’s War on Wildlife at Montana Legislature At Gov. Greg Gianforte’s behest, the Montana Legislature’s anti-wildlife bias was on full display this session. It’s easy to see the direct connection between a number of extreme anti-wildlife bills and a small cabal of privileged ranchers who exploit our public lands for their private profit. These ranchers want Montana to be the last best place exclusively for their sheep and cattle, at the expense of native wildlife and their habitat, and the people who value Montana’s unique tr...
Theft and vandalism of local art is disrespectful Dear Editor, Most residents of Seeley lake are aware of the Disney, Comic book heroes, and many other cartoon characters. I am sure many of you residents have seen and enjoyed the wood carvings displayed on property along Double Arrow Road, especially the children passing by. I know my grandchildren look forward to seeing them when they visit Seeley Lake. I can’t Imagine the time spent by this elderly gentleman to produce such impeccable craftsmanship. However, recent theft and vandalism to t...
Time to act! Update on the current situation regarding the purchase of Holland Lake Lodge, Swan Valley by POWDR Corporation proposing a destination resort. A critical and crucial US Forest Service decision on this public land use is about to be made. What can you do? Be bothered! Be upset! Be vocal! Reminder! Swan Valley, Montana is a small community situated in the middle of public lands and two wilderness areas. Over the past 40 years, there has been extensive work by property owners, timber companies, conservation groups and the USFS to...
I want to welcome you to the early phases of Land Management Plan Revision for the Lolo National Forest. The Lolo National Forest is an exceptional place, and it is my honor and privilege to be the Forest Supervisor for this landscape that is highly valued by so many people. I know it will be both a challenging and deeply rewarding responsibility to facilitate this process and ultimately, decide on the framework that will guide this Forest for many years. We are excited and eager to invite the...
Dear Editor I miss Andi and Nathan’s Pathfinder, but I do accept their need to move on. I debated whether to renew my subscription. I did, but it’s conditional. Please, it must remain local, not piecemeal with articles and contributions that are not relevant to the area which seems to be the new Pathfinder standard. And thank you Vicki Voegelin for your well written and to the point letter in the 13 April edition. Carleen Gonder Seeley Lake, MT...
Dear Editor, Elbow Lake is located on the Clearwater River, just over three miles north of Clearwater Junction. The stretch of the Clearwater below Elbow Lake and before the confluence with the Blackfoot River is a unique and peaceful trout fishing spot with relatively easy access for fishermen and women in the area. The surrounding area is an important wildlife corridor and also a serene environment for hikers and others who enjoy the outdoors. LHC, Inc. is seeking to use 21 acres of land adjacent to Elbow Lake and the Clearwater for a gravel...
Dear Editor, I have been attending the Seeley Lake Fire Board meetings for several years now. I am frustrated with lack of transparency, no discussion at the board meetings when issues are brought up, unless they are known ahead of time. When people come to express their concerns, several times they are directed to speak to the fire chief for answers. Good qualified people have been denied a spot to be a volunteer...why? The board has no control over anything but the financial side. They are not privy to any of the operating procedures. As I ha...
Dear Editor, First, in my response to Scott Kennedy’s letter printed last week, I am not running for the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District. Susan Monahan is. She is running against the incumbents on a platform to bring change to the board with a fresh outlook, a different skill-set, curiosity and willingness to ask questions and get answers instead of hearsay. I’m advocating for the change Monahan supports based on her knowledge of Open Meeting Law, her experience with budgeting, collections, insurance and willingness to listen. I encourage you t...
To The Owners and Editors of The Seeley Swan Pathfinder: In the March 30, 2023 issue in the archives section you include the story of Kerry and Stacy Good. This was not only distasteful and cruel, it shows a true lack of journalist research. With just a few clicks on your keyboard your team would have found that this family has had its share of tragedy. They have risen from that part of their history. If you need to be educated I will take this opportunity to do so. Stacy Good, mentioned in the article, was killed along with three of her...
[In] response to Andi Bourne’s comments. Seeley Lake Fire District transparency is paramount. “Privacy Rights” protection, includes legal documents which are transmitted to the District Attorney for instructions. Andi is aware of past challenges. If the board could share past events, the public would better understand trials and tribulations and decisions made. Regardless, improved services prevailed exponentially and in UNITY. Short meetings: I note meetings lasted longer before restructuring, hiring, drafting budgets, policy manual rewri...
In Regards to the Elbow Lake Gravel Pit LHC, Inc has applied for an Opencut (Dryland) mining permit on 21.2 acres of DNRC (Dept of Natural Resources and Conservation)-managed State Trust Lands to mine, crush, and remove gravel to a depth of 20 feet and run an asphalt plant through 2040. The proposed site is 3.3 miles north of Clearwater Junction. To the north is Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) land; across Highway 83 to the east is the Clearwater Wildlife Management Area (Game Range) and Last Best Place Cemetery. To the west and 120 feet...
The Clearwater Resource Council is opposed to the proposed gravel pit near Elbow Lake. This area is directly adjacent to the most important winter range for big game in the Clearwater Valley . Our analyses also show that the gravel pit and asphalt plant are located in swales that will drain into wetlands mapped in the National Wetland Inventory, including a freshwater pond. This will facilitate the transport of sediment and contaminants to the wetlands, pond, and ultimately Elbow Lake and the Clearwater River. A detailed explanation of the...
Exercise your right to know - Vote for Susan Monahan It is time for more transparency on the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Board. Voters have the opportunity to make this change May 2 by voting Susan Monahan for Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Board of Trustees. Attending nearly every Fire District Board meeting since 2014, I’ve watched the board have less and less discussion under the current leadership, including the two incumbents running against Monahan. Meetings usually are shorter than 30 minutes with actual board discussion less t...
Hands Off Holland has really brought Montanans together. To echo a recent statement made on the Senate floor by Sen. Jon Tester to U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore, the Forest Service has done a great job of bringing Montanans together. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and many folks new to politics and advocacy have united in an attempt to save the public land at Holland Lake and protect the historical, cultural, and ecological values of our pristine mountain lake and surrounding wilderness. I’ve had the honor of watching f...
Dear Editor, Montana’s state Legislature is proposing a host of extreme anti-wildlife bills despite widespread, diverse, strong, and credible opposition to these unnecessary measures. The onslaught on wildlife by locally elected officials began in 2021 and continues in this legislative session with the introduction of bills that go from bad to worse. Snaring and night shooting wolves, placing bounties on a hunt, loosening stipulations for killing grizzly bears, hounding black bears - the list goes on. Proposed laws spread misinformation a...
Dear Editor, An asphalt plant?! And a gravel pit?! On 21 acres?! That’s an area bigger than 26 football fields, or more than 300 tennis courts or over 3100 parking spaces! However the reader, you, can best envision the enormity of such a horrific industry smack in the middle of a peaceful, wild area that is adjacent to an already designated special open space, this is a proposal that needs to be denied. This application to build such a noisy, dusty, smelly, disruptive industry directly across from the Blackfoot Clearwater Game Range (which is a...
Dear Editor, On January 6 of this year, LHC, Inc. a paving contractor from Kalispell, submitted an application to Montana DNRC to mine crush and remove roughly 110,000 cubic yards of stone, sand and gravel from their Land Trust, Section 20, Township 15N, Range 14W. The application also requests to include a permit to locate an asphalt production plant on site. The area is roughly 21 acres and is proposed to be used to build our new roads on Highway 83 expansion this summer and next, as well as other highway projects. DNRC sent out a press...
