Supports conservation bond

What a breath of fresh air. The Flathead County Commissioners are considering putting a land and water conservation bond on the November ballot. Such a move will prove widely popular and would help protect our natural beauty, clean water and access to hunting, fishing and the outdoors. That sounds like a good deal to me.

The Siderius family has been in the Flathead Valley for 100 years. I have been around much of that time, and believe me, I have seen a lot of change.

But some things should not change. We should always have clean water that is the envy of the rest of the world. We should always have access to hunting, fishing, lakes and streams. We should always protect our natural beauty and richest soil (they aren't making any more of it).

That's why I support a land and water bond aimed specifically at conserving those things through voluntary conservation agreements. Any investment we make will return itself many times.

No doubt, the usual naysayer will voice their opinions and try to sow doubts. But those opinions do not reflect the facts or mainstream values. Most people in the Flathead agree that our clean water and outdoor traditions are critical to our economy and way of life in the Flathead Valley, and we need to protect it as we grow and develop.

A land and water bond is a proven way of doing just that. That's why so many fast-growing Montana counties like Missoula, Ravalli and Gallatin have already passed such bonds. Some of them twice.

Look around one of these beautiful summer evenings. Isn't the magnificent Flathead Valley something to invest in? Yes.

Ken Siderius

Creston