Outdoor groups support streamside setbacks
The Daily Inter Lake
Four local outdoor groups have drafted a letter to the Flathead County Planning Board in support of the county's proposed riparian setbacks for subdivision regulations.
The letter was signed by Tom Greiner, chairman of the Flathead Valley Chapter of Ducks Unlimited; Chuck Hunt, president of Flathead Wildlife, Inc.; Chris Schustrom, president of the Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited; and Ben Long, director of Montana Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
The proposed regulations, which only would affect new subdivisions, call for different setback and vegetative buffer distances depending on the water source.
For the Flathead River and its three forks, Stillwater River, Swan River and Whitefish River, the proposed setbacks would be 250 feet with a buffer of 100 feet. On Ashley Creek from Smith Lake to the Flathead River and the Fisher River, the setback would be 200 feet with a 75-foot buffer.
All other streams identified on the latest U.S. Geological Survey maps would have setbacks of 60 feet with buffers of 50 feet.
Other areas such as Beaverhead County have successfully enacted setbacks. Madison County requires 500-foot setbacks along the Madison River and 250-foot setbacks along other rivers.
"Access to high-quality hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation is a big part of what makes life here in the Flathead Valley special," the letter states. "We believe strong streamside setback requirements of 250-300 feet greatly benefit many species of wildlife and can accommodate limited hunting, fishing and other recreation."
Given the varied topography of Flathead County, the groups say that regulatory flexibility should be written into the regulations. Individual variances should be allowed.
The letter states that crowding rivers and streams with development erodes access to hunting and fishing and infringes on valuable habitat for a host of wildlife. Development pressure also can lead to conflicts between homeowners who may not want hunters with shotguns and rifles near their property, the groups say.
Although Flathead County adopted new subdivision regulations last August, the provisions regarding riparian setbacks were removed. The topic of setbacks has been contentious and controversial.
The proposed setback regulations are back in the hands of the Planning Board, and the board likely will hold another public comment session in late July. After that, the board will rework the provisions and decide what to forward to county commissioners.
Reporter Michael Richeson may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at mricheson@dailyinterlake.com
"We respect property rights," Long said.
"Oftentimes, just a little space is all it takes for all sides to coexist comfortably," the groups wrote.