Dog waste on trails growing problem

With each passing year, the dog waste problem only continues to grow at major recreational trailheads. Popular destinations like Round Meadow cross country ski area, Heron Park, Lone Pine State Park, Whitefish Trail, Big Mountain cross country ski area, and Blacktail cross country ski area often become veritable minefields, especially during winter when dogs and humans are confined to narrow trail corridors.

Simply hoping that the problem will resolve itself is like wishing that highways and campgrounds will remain free from litter and vandalism.

So what are the options? First, we should acknowledge that many dog owners will never change their behavior and suddenly become responsible members of society. Banning dogs from popular trails likewise is unrealistic given the growing popularity of dog-based recreation in the valley. Relying on volunteerism to solve the problem also has proven to be ineffective.

Instead, I believe the time has come for local agencies to implement active management, similar to the policing of heavily used campgrounds. For example, I envision a multi-agency cooperative effort to fund the periodic removal of winter dog waste from major trailheads, perhaps using grant money to hire a contractor. If you agree that active management has indeed become necessary and inevitable, please contact our local Forest Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Flathead County land managers.

Steve Barrett, Kalispell