Montana seeks closer ties with

Canada Eyes 'Crown of the Continent' destinatio for 'two-nation vacations'

By JIM MANNThe Daily Inter Lake

Identification requirements for border crossing and transboundary environmental issues were among the topics at an unusual mixer between Canadian and Flathead residents Thursday in Whitefish.

It was the second such meeting held this year, but this week's gathering attracted a strong turnout at the invitation of Canada's Consulate General based in Denver.

Canada sent representatives from business, industry, tourism and conservation groups, along with local government leaders. Canadian cities Lethbridge, Fernie and Cranbrook were represented.

From Montana, state and local governments were represented, along with chambers of commerce, and business and travel groups.

At the federal level, the superintendents of Glacier and Waterton National Parks were present. The meeting was moderated by Inta Morris, the political, economic and academic affairs officer for the Consulate General of Canada in Denver.

Joe Unterreiner said Thursday's "Meet Me at the Border" meeting was a first in his 10 years as executive director of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. Typically, meetings with Canadians have been prompted by "either bad news or something controversial or a conflict that's going on," he said.

But the recent gatherings have focused on specific topics, including trade and tourism opportunities that can be shared. One concept discussed was "the two-nation vacation," which would capitalize on the transboundary "Crown of the Continent" as a regional destination for visitors.

The group discussed the importance of breaking down perceived barriers at the border. And those present said there are growing concerns because of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which would establish tougher identification requirements for entering the U.S. from Canada starting in January of 2008.

Mark Bisom, representing the Montana Department of Commerce, said the initiative will essentially require passports "or other secure documents" that establish a travelers residency. Bisom said there has been discussion of an "enhanced drivers license" that would allow Americans to return from Canada, but precisely what will be required and when the initiative takes effect has been ambiguous.

And that has already had an impact on travel along the entire length of the border, several at the meeting said.

"I'd have to say that the (provincial) premiers and governors have shared a lot of concern about this because of the economic impacts," Bisom said.

Will Hammerquist, representing Gov. Brian Schweitzer's office, said the governor has joined his counterparts in calling for a delay in implementing the initiative. He referred to a letter that Schweitzer recently sent to the Bush Administration:

"Montana has the distinction of bordering three Canadian provinces and sharing 14 international border crossings," he wrote. "Canada is Montana's largest export destination, and in 2005 the state had a record year of exports to Canada totaling over $372 million. Montana also welcomes over 440,000 Canadian tourists each year who spend and estimated $80 million in Montana communities. The (initiative) would have adverse effects on this important and growing economic relationship."

Steve Thompson, Glacier field representative for the National Parks Conservation Association, noted that there is a lack of awareness of what transpires across the border, and that's a hindrance to cooperation in economic as well as environmental matters.

Thompson said the Crown of the Continent, the vast area that surrounds Glacier and Waterton National Parks, has the potential to develop the iconic reputation that the Greater Yellowstone area has.

"I think in this region we have even more to offer," he said. "But we have this barrier. I'm very concerned about any federal policies that create even more barriers between 'the two-nation vacation.'"

Also discussed at the meeting was a Rocky Mountain Grizzly Centre that is being proposed for development in Fernie. The $34 million project, which includes an endowment funding target, would be focused on research, education and interpretation related to the transboundary grizzly population in the northern Rockies.

As a related matter, the state of Montana's long-standing concern about potential coal mining development in the Canadian Flathead was also discussed.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com