Unwanted trucks can also be an 'invasive species'

This past April, House Bill 525 (introduced by Rep Mark Noland, R-Bigfork) was signed into law by Gov. Steve Bullock. The bill will create a $10 million trust fund to expand Montana’s war on aquatic invasive species.

Aquatic invasive species are organisms (such as zebra mussels, Eurasion milfoil and quagga mussels) that invade an ecosystem beyond their natural range. If these invasive species enter Montana’s pristine lakes, they can spread rapidly and do irreperable harm to the balance of the ecosystem as well as damage facilities using water such as power plants or municipal water suppliers.

As recently as this month, a boat from Minnesota was carrying an invasive mussel but was intercepted at a check point in Browning by the Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife before reaching its destination on Whitefish Lake. I have personally had my boat inspected numerous times while traveling to different lakes and do not feel this is an inconvienece in any way and in fact I am all for these check points and believe this is a fantastic plan to stay ahead of this war on aquatic invasive species.

Now if you’re like me, and like to boast about the beauty of Northwest Montana when talking about our Treasure State and how “Flathead Lake is the largest body of fresh water west of the Mississippi,” then I think you will see another potential threat that looms ahead and this is what I call “Invasive Truck Species.” These are the semi trucks that roar down the east shore of Flathead Lake on Montana 35 carrying gasoline, fertilizer and who knows what else.

Most recently there was a semi truck carrying 3,700 pounds of liquid hydrochloric or phosphoric acid that lost control and toppled over near  Yellow Bay due to the driver by his own admission, saying that he was “sightseeing.” Fortunately the truck veered into the hillside away from the lake and the 125 gallons of acid that spilled on the side of the road was contained and did not enter the lake.

For the life of me I do not understand why these invasive truck species do not take a different route and avoid a potential disaster. We have a beautiful U.S. 93 with passing zones just across the lake on the other side that has been improved and is far more adequate to handle these heavy daily loads. Why continue to chance it?

Now, I know the reason they use the east shore is because it is the shortest route and there are far fewer hills, thus saving these companies a few extra dollars in fuel. But is it really worth it in the long run? Imagine what would happen if a double tanker truck carrying fertilizer were to topple over and spill its cargo into the lake. This would be far much more hazardous then any zebra mussel and you may as well kiss the ole saying “largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi” goodbye.

I encourage our state representatives and the people of Flathead and Lake counties as well as these fine Montana corporations to be aware of this potential truck wreck because it is not a matter of if but a matter of when, and I would hate to be the one that said I told you so.

Macker is a resident of Bigfork.