County unveils access at Church Slough

After months of controversy and threats of possible litigation over abandoned roads and river access, Flathead County, wildlife preservation organizations and developer Dennis Carver have come to a solution they all can live with.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Flathead County Parks and Recreation Department unveiled the county's newest public access at Church Slough.

The 150-by-300-foot park currently includes little more than a boat access to Church Slough and space for a few cars. But the unveiling of the access signifies the end of much contention.

Warren Illi, a member of Flathead Wildlife Inc., said, "The greatest public access to bodies of water is just one where people can come down to the water and see the mountains. Just physical and scenic access."

Commissioner Dale Lauman agreed with Illi at the access unveiling. "This is a great site. It really is a win-win situation," he said.

County commissioners in February abandoned a 3,400-foot portion of Wagner Lane that hugged Church Slough at Carver's request.

This "conditional abandonment" ensured that Carver met three stipulations: building a paved county road farther away from the slough, installing utilities underground and providing public access to the slough comparable to what was previously available.

In return, Carver was allowed to grass in what was previously Wagner Lane, thus significantly raising the value of his waterfront lots.

But members of Flathead Wildlife were not happy with that arrangement.

Illi said swapping 3,400 feet of practical public access for 100 feet was not a fair trade.

Flathead Wildlife threatened the county with litigation for not adequately preserving public access to waterways.

By March, all parties agreed that the 150-by-300-foot park would be sufficient.

Lauman said the new access is a major improvement because liability is no longer an issue for landowners as it was previously along Wagner Lane.

"Now that it's county land, it's the county's responsibility," he said.

Currently the access is little more than a sign and clearing in the trees large enough to fit a boat through. The gravel ramp is too steep to allow for anything larger than a small fishing boat and too rough for a trailer.

But the Parks Department has plans to level-off and pave the ramp by next year, in time for fishing and boating next summer.

Reporter Amy May may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at amay@dailyinterlake.com