Spoklie's West Glacier Gravel Pit

Have you been to the Spoklie pit? If not, kindly do so before signing on to Ms. Fagre's West Glacier hype (WSN letter 4/15/09) about how harmful this pit may be to Glacier National Park. This gravel pit does not border the park, as in-between lies private timbered lands, Burlington Northern railway, more forest lands, and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Further, the "controversial" pit is located well inland of the river on a plateau that includes Spoklie's 35.4 acres, void of any streams or surface drainages. Pursuant to the legally binding agreement struck two years ago with the Flathead County, 11+ of Spoklie's 35 acres is to be maintained as a buffer zone for aesthetics, wildlife, and other values.

Of the remaining 24 acres, gravel mining is limited to a maximum of 8 acres at any one time. This restriction requires that there be ongoing restoration/re-vegetation to keep to this limit. Also there are numerous seasonal and daily operating restrictions imposed in the County's agreement which Mr. Spoklie must meet. For example, the paving of better than a mile of public road on the north end of Belton Stage Road. This paving has already been done to address safety and mitigate dust issues from the pit which incidentally, is idle most of the year including the summer. Another is that when gravel crushing is done, which is temporary and not always performed annually, the equipment must be used only in the bottom of the pit to minimize noise, dust, and visual concerns.

The public is most welcome to tour the pit and draw their own conclusions. The pit is at 1252 Belton Stage Road and accessed off that road from the north. Just follow the pavement south to where it ends and turn west and drive past a colossal number of junk vehicles and other notable debris in front of the private residence immediately fronting the short access road into the pit. I believe you will find the pit to be well maintained and is not in the least a threat to GNP or the Middle Fork. Yes, there is a small quantity of asphalt and concrete stockpiled out of view on the south side of the pit stored there for recycling. Every bit of this was trucked in from GNP projects. Do look around and consider the alternative which is trucking gravel at considerable expense from Columbia Falls, the next closest gravel source. Lastly, keep in mind that the pit has served GNP's gravel demands in the past including last year, 2008. Visit the location and then comment to DEQ from an informed perspective - something that the opposition likely does not wish.

DEQ is asking for comments until 1 May at: DEQ, Mineral Bureau, 109 Cooperative Way, Suite 105, Kalispell, MT 59901 or e-mail them rsamdahl@mt.gov.

Bruce Barrett

Lakeside