St. Mary entrance station may be replaced

Glacier National Park is proposing to replace the historic St. Mary entrance station and install an aquatic invasive species inspection station as part of the Going-to-the-Sun Road rehabilitation project.

In 2003 the park completed an environmental impact statement for a planned rehabilitation of the entrance station, but is now considering a full replacement due to the existing facility’s incompatibility with new technology, faulty wiring, leaks and poor vehicle circulation, according to a press release.

The entrance station was constructed along with the visitor center in 1967 and 1968, and the two buildings were nominated to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. The new entrance station would be “compatible in architectural design with the St. Mary Visitor Center,” according to a brochure published on the National Park Service’s website.

The aquatic invasive species inspection station would be located just past the entrance station, to the right of the road leading into the park. In addition to four existing stations in the park, it would help to address the threat of invasive species including zebra and quagga mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil.

The agency’s website notes that installing the station would have an adverse effect on the St. Mary Visitor Center under the National Historic Preservation Act, but would not affect the center’s eligibility for a historic designation.

To view the public scoping brochure, visit www.parkplanning.nps.gov/StMaryEntrance.

Public comments on the proposal are being accepted by the park until Aug. 21. Comments can be submitted on the website or mailed to: Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: St. Mary Entrance Station Replacement, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier, MT, 59936.