Letters to the editor Aug. 26

Concerning the Yaak

I am somewhat reluctant to write this letter, but out of necessity I feel compelled to do so.

There is a need to inform people that there are other opinions than those that have been published so far by well-known groups. The issue concerns the far northwest corner of Montana called the Yaak.

So far you have read that certain groups or organizations are trying to protect or preserve the Yaak by shutting down logging or closing roads.

These organizations have been successful, through the courts, in doing just that. Unfortunately, that reasoning and litigation has put us, the constituents and residents in a very precarious position.

I have fought fire in five Western states and have seen first hand what can happen if a forest like ours is neglected. The fuel loading in the Yaak is horrendous and the forest is prime for a devastation fire. 

I told our local volunteer fire department that if we get 101 lightning strikes, like we did some years ago, along with wind, we would all have to try to escape. There would be nothing left but one Big Black Hole.

There would be no animals left, no trees, no people and the streams would be clogged with runoff, killing the fish.

These liberals say they want to preserve the Yaak, but do they? From what I have personally observed in five states, I would say these people are dead wrong.

We have lived in the Yaak Valley for almost half a century, and I would like to see the Yaak preserved. The closed roads are so overgrown with brush and fallen trees, it is very difficult to rescue disoriented hunters or even firefighters.

I know this is a fact and I hope we don’t end up like California.

— Charles Leidigh, Yaak

North Fork Road ideas

I live on the North Fork Road and travel it frequently and am a business owner there.

Over the years there have been a lot of discussions and suggestions for road improvements.

Here are mine. You can choose one or all or a few to consider and I expect many comments will not be supportive.

1. Lower the speed limit. It currently is 70 mph (on the pavement) and I have folks passing my business doing 80 mph. On the washboard sections (all of it lately) folks travel all over the width of the road to avoid washboard and potholes and endanger everyone. Save the speed for your hikes and boating.

2. Encourage use of the Inner North Fork Road by continuing improvements to it.

3.  Encourage use of the Camas Road and keep Camas Road open year-round. I and my neighbors would be glad to assist with plowing in the winter. I know the Park Service will say no money is in the budget for this.

4. Make the Highway 486 (aka The North Fork Road) a toll road. All we hear is how there is not enough money to maintain it from state and county officials, which I believe. We hear that we cannot control the number of people and the weather; also true. But we could collect $10 per use or a yearly pass of $100. All that money could support maintenance. You could add a larger shoulder; it is a death trap for anyone biking it or walking it.

5. Pave it! The dust and mag chloride are killers to humans, animals, insects, fish and cars. The toll money could go toward it and we would definitely have to lower the speed limit.

Thanks for listening. More to follow. Thinking is allowed.

— Marguerite Kaminski, North Fork