Government should give citizens credit for brains

Spring is always interesting on the North Fork. Melting snow turns driveways into a mix of ruts in the ice to big puddles, then to mud. It’s always fun to watch the snow slowly disappear from the meadow, and the deer and elk follow the arrival of the new, green shoots of alfalfa.

Although Flathead County has open burning until May 1, that’s usually too early for anyone to burn brush on the North Fork because there’s still too much snow. By May when we can burn, a permit is required and even though permits are free and can be obtained by e-mail or telephone, they’re still a pain for folks who have no phone or e-mail capability — a lot of North Forkers are in that boat.

Also, there is the requirement that a permit holder calls in to check air quality every day before they do any burning. I suspect that most everyone ignores this regulation, since smoke rarely affects any neighbor and county officials can’t see it either.

By the time conditions are really good for burning on the North Fork it’s often so dry in the lower valley that burning is stopped due to the volume of runaway grass fires in the valley.

I know that all of the regulations are designed to help us and prevent avoidable wildfires and the time and money spent by rural firefighters, often volunteers, in responding to runaway brush fires.

However, it does seem like government on all levels could give citizens some credit for brains. We all know that if our fire gets out of control that we’re responsible for any costs. That includes any cost involved in putting the fire out as well as paying for any damage to someone else’s property, including the U.S. Forest Service. Why not do away with permits and just make people pay any costs?

Of course, that would put a lot of government employees out of work. If done with several government agencies, maybe it would even lower our property taxes a nickel or two. What do you think?

With spring well underway, we can start planning for the return of the summer residents and the resumption of a wide range of summer activities. This week, I got my North Fork Landowners Association summer schedule and, again, there is a ton of social activities planned. There are so many that no one could possibly attend them all. That just means you can pick and choose what you really want to do. There’s bird watching, hikes, bike rides, picnics, game nights, dances, book club and history meetings, and I am sure something for everyone.

In addition, the Polebridge Merc re-opened on May 1, and the Northern Lights will re-open for meals and booze on May 21. I can’t wait. Maybe I’ll see you on pizza night.