North Shore parcel set to become park

By ALEX STRICKLAND / Bigfork Eagle

A 160-acre parcel bordering Highway 82 on the North Shore of Flathead Lake will likely be preseved as a joint wildlife management area/state park thanks to a deal under way between the Flathead Land Trust, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Doug and Donna Miller.

The Flathead Land Trust signed a purchase agreement with the Millers for the parcel, located between Somers and Bigfork immediately Southeast of the intersection of Lower Valley Road and Montana Highway 82.

"The North Shore of Flathead Lake is a special part of our very special valley," said Ken Siderius, president of the Flathead Land Trust. "Thanks to the Miller Family, this parcel will stay beautiful and rural for generations to enjoy."

Land along Highway 82 has been the target of much speculation in the last year, as a proposed development — the North Shore Ranch — could have put almost 300 homes on about 350 acres adjacent to the Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area. That proposal, denied by the Flathead County Commissioners in the spring, is being appealed by the developers Sean Averill and Keith Simon of Whitefish.

"The Flathead Land Trust has always maintained that the North Shore deserves special consideration," Siderius said. "We are happy to be part of a plan that protects the many public values of the North Shore, such as clean water, wildlife habitat and traditional access."

Under the current agreement, the trust will eventually turn the land over to Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, which will buy the land.

The 160 acres sold for $1.9 million based on appraised value, the bulk of which is planned to come from Access Montana, a one-time fund set up by the 2007 Legislature. Flathead Land Trust will also participate financially with funds they received from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Nature Conservancy. The deal still must go through public review and approval by the FWP Commission and Land Board.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks would like to expand opportunities for upland bird and waterfowl hunting in the fall, and camping, bird watching and other recreation the rest of the year, said Dave Landstrom, of FWP. The parcel is next to the current waterfowl production area that covers most of the actual lakeshore along the north end of Flathead Lake. That area has been cited as one of the few remaining public areas for bird hunting in the Valley.

"This is a great example of local Flathead folks setting their own future for this part of the Valley," Landstrom said. "Hopefully, this can be the cornerstone of a larger conservation vision for the North Shore. We could offer a lot more options and opportunity for the public to enjoy."

Tom Greiner, chairman of the Flathead chapter of Ducks Unlimited, applauded the move to conserve the North Shore.

"As Flathead County grows and develops, protecting our hunting rights, access and habitat will be more important for our economy and our way of life," he said.