Hearing to be held on Natural Resource Policy

The Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead County commissioners will hold a public hearing this morning on a proposed Natural Resource Policy.

The county is required to have a formal policy if it wants to take an active role in forest planning and in other discussions that affect the use and management of state or federal lands here.

The 98-page document was prepared by a seven-member committee over the last year.

It advocates a strong multiple-use approach to natural resources and addresses a wide range of issues, including energy and mineral resources, mining, forest and fire-fuels management, wilderness and roadless areas, water quality and water rights, wetlands and riparian areas, and flood plains.

The Flathead County Planning Board recommended approval of the document following a public hearing in December.

About 20 people spoke at that event. Most praised the committee for its efforts, but several suggested that a policy as significant as this needs a more thorough public review. The planning staff report also pointed out several errors and inconsistencies in the document.

Today's hearing takes place in the commissioners' hearing room beginning at 10 a.m.