If you have been keeping tabs on the controversy swirling around my blog, you will see that I had a chance to talk with Mr. Clancy. During this conversation I picked up on a few points I would like to discuss further. First of all, Mr. Clancy informed me that he is not the person who issues the 310 permit. He stated that he is only an “advisor” during the process. The Army Corps of Engineers and Bitterroot Conservation District issue the permits. However, without Mr. Clancy's approval the 310 permit cannot be issued. The 310 permits for the projects below Tucker were issued last fall for the Double Fork Ranch and the two residents just below Tucker crossing. Mind you that the total job stretched almost 3-4 continuous miles of river. Instead of undertaking the work all at once, is it possible to prioritize these jobs and construct each over time? Granted, the homeowners would receive a priority due to the fact that their homes were in immediate danger. After the work was complete, the river should be allowed to heal. After one or two seasons, only then the Double Fork should have been allowed to do the work. The Double Fork would receive the lowest priority due to the fact that no structures were being threatened. The only reason the bank stabilization was done on the Double Fork was to protect property values. Ironically, the river makes the Double Fork property extremely valuable but yet they want to stop it from doing its natural thing. If this model was implemented, it would have lessened the immediate impact on this section of water. It is my opinion, that the extensive amount of work that was done in this section will have direct and negative affect on the aquatic life and therefore the fish productivity. We will find out as the season continues.
Another comment from Mr. Clancy jumped out at me while discussing this issue. I don't want to directly quote him, but it was my understanding that he thought the entire project was completed last fall. Now, anyone who floated that section was surprised by the work that was being done both last fall and this spring. It was obvious that there was NO work being done at the homeowners’ location last fall. Why Mr. Clancy did not go down to inspect these projects is beyond me. It is not like he is in Helena. His office is right next door to my shop. Since he had obviously not been down to the river, I guess he was just as surprised as everyone else when the work commenced this spring. Is it not Mr. Clancy’s job, as head fisheries biologist, to know exactly when these projects start and finish? Shouldn’t he be at least mildly concerned about the quality of work being done? Pretty amazing when you think about it! Like I said, I don't want to directly quote him but if you would like to discuss this with him and get direct quotes feel free to call his office at (406)363-7169.
As far as the whole 310 permit process goes, I believe that the Bitterroot "Conservation" District, the Army Corps of Engineers and Mr. Clancy only care about the wealthy landowners’ interests, i.e. the Double Fork Ranch. Why would pasture land take precedence over, not only a homeowner, but the health of the river itself? Moreover, if you buy land on the river it is worth exponentially more than land just off the river. That is all well and good. However, why should they be allowed to stop the river from meandering, as rivers do, just to protect their property values? Eventually, the channelization of the Bitterroot River will choke it to death. The Double Fork does little for the economic welfare of the Bitterroot Valley. Conversely, the Bitterroot River is worth millions of dollars annually, not only to us guides and fly shop owners, but also to hotel/lodge owners, other retail shops, supermarkets, restaurants, bars and so on. There is currently very little else driving the Bitterroot Valleys economy besides the tourism. I am sure this post will continue to stoke the fires of the current debate. However, I have never been one to back down from a fight nor have I ever been afraid to voice my opinion.
Osprey Outfitters Guide Service and Fly Shop
Osprey Outfitters Guide Service and Fly Shop
The Shop
The Shop
Hey Sean:
ReplyDeleteDid you send this to the newspaper?? I hope so - well written and well-argued, relevant to the valley's economy to to conservation efforts a long the Bitterroot River itself.
That ranch has long been a thorn in my side, with it's barbed wire, etc, across the river. Good luck!
Love, Pam
Thanks Pam. No I have not sent it to the paper but that is a damn good idea. Wouldn't you know it the paper hasn't even covered this issue?! The only article that was written about it was in The Bitterroot Star, which I have linked on the shops Facebook page
ReplyDeleteI had posted that Charles Schwab owned the Doble Fork Ranch in error and it has been corrected. I always was under the assumption that Mr. Schwab was the owner. You know what happens when you ass u me!
ReplyDeleteMyself and three friends from around the world (1 Canada, 2 Belgium, 1 Panama) visited the Bitterroot and directly spent over four thousand dollars at local businesses. (Lodging,rental cars, food and beverages, guiding, tips, and other incidentials at various stores and merchants in the area.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention over 4 thousand spent on airfare, directly impacting the USA economy.
Cherish the bitterroot and protect it vigorously. Not only did it provide me with incredible memories...it economically has a tremendous positive impact on your communities.
Chris Clancy is one of our Bitterroot treasures. You have no idea how hard he works and how educated and skilled he is. You on the other had run on and on and on - much like a stupid person. You are displaying some very unfavorable traits. You might want to educate yourself and reduce your dribbling blog entries to concise, well written and accurate information. Good luck with your shop, you are going to need it.
ReplyDeleteIt might interest you and and your readers to know that the Double Fork Ranch is now cooperating with Verizon to build a 100 foot cell tower in a pasture at the corner of Wood Lane and Eastside Hwy. This tower violates several county ordinances, such as to "protect the county's natural resources and visual environment from potential adverse visual affects of communication facilities, through careful design and sitting standards:".
ReplyDeleteMore importantly the tower is a hazard to endangered/ threatened birds such as bald and golden eagles which spend the winters here and migrating waterfowl that follow the river corridor and nest in the wetlands on Charles Schwab's ranch directly across the road from the proposed site.
"The director of the Office of Environmental Policy and Compliance of the United States Departmernt of the Interior sent a letter to the National Telecommunications and information Administration in the Department of Commerce, which addresses the interior Department's concern that cell tower radiation has had negative impacts on the health of migratory birds and other wildlife. The first is by injury, crippling loss, and death from collisions with towers and their supporting guy-wire infrastructure, where present. The second significant issue associated with communication towers involves impacts from non ionizing electromagnetic radiation emitted by these structures. Radiation studies at cellular communication towers were begun circa 2000 in Europe and continue today on wild nesting birds. Study results have documented nest and site abandonment, plumage deterioration, locomotion problems, reduced survivorship, and death."
Osprey, great horned owls, hawks, falcons as well as bald and golden eagles congregate on the relatively unpopulated ranches near the proposed site. I have seen as many as five gold eagles and 4 bald eagles waiting their turn to feed on a deer carcass. Raptures observe the ground for prey while perched on telephone poles around the proposed site and the cell tower will be more inviting because it is off the road in a pasture. Osprey are known for making their nests on the flat tops of cell towers, which expose them and their offspring to the long term effects of radiation.
Please voice your objection to locating cell towers in migrating corridors or where there is known to be threatened and endangered birds. You can send it to Beverly Hennager at 315 Wood Lane Corvallis MT 59828 and I will make sure the court hears you. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.