Ex-park superintendents call for more protections for Glacier, Waterton

A coalition of retired superintendents from Glacier National Park and neighboring Waterton Lakes National Park is calling for actions by both countries to finalize park protection actions that were advanced this year.

The former superintendents penned a letter urging Congress to support a public lands omnibus bill called America’s Great Outdoors Act of 2010.

The Act encompasses 110 bills, including legislation that would relinquish 200,000 acres of oil and gas leases held on public lands in the North Fork Flathead drainage west of Glacier.

The British Columbia provincial government has enacted a ban on mining and gas development in the Canadian North Fork. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said he would press passage of the omnibus bill before Congress adjourns this year.

“Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is a treasure that we all share as North Americans,” former Glacier Superintendent Mick Holm said. “In joining our voice with our Canadian counterparts, we’re hoping public officials in both countries will view our communication as a call to action on behalf of this globally significant World Heritage site.”

In their letter, the ex-superintendents also endorse the long-standing proposal to expand Waterton Lakes National Park westward, and they call for expanded environmental cooperation across the border.

“To have nearly every retired superintendent from Waterton and Glacier calling for these measures is beyond significant,” said Tim Stevens, Northern Rockies regional director of the National Parks and Conservation Association.

“These individuals spent their entire careers managing protected areas. They understand better than anyone what steps are needed to ensure the ecological integrity and clean headwaters of Waterton-Glacier.”

Those signing onto the letter include former Glacier superintendents Mick Holm of Columbia Falls; Dave Mihalic of Missoula; Gil Lusk of Green Valley, Ariz.; Bob Haraden of Bozeman; Phil Iverson of Lakeside and Bill Briggle of South Beach, Ore., plus former Waterton superintendents Merv Syroteuk and Peter Lamb.

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