And at the same time, stop the dust pollution of the air and water along the North Fork caused by the unpaved North Fork Road !  The traffic serving Glacier National Park and North Fork recreation activity is spewing tons of silt into the river each year. Conservationists and the Flathead Basin Commission need to demonstrate to the Canadians concern about environmental protection starts at home.

So, we are supposed to show the Canadians we are willing to not pollute the North Fork river in our own back yard by retiring leases that are not even active.  This is laughable given that Mr. Hammerquist of National Parks Conservation Association, who recently built a yurt in Polebridge without the environmental health waste systems, is the one pushing this.  (See previous Flathead Beacon article regarding the yurt in Polebridge) Polebridge sits right on the North Fork of the Flathead River.  Where does Mr. Hammerquist think his waste pollution goes?

Folks like Hammerquist are exempt from the rules they like to impose on others.  One would think the county health department would be taking an interest in his igloo, er yurt, er hogan, er teepee or whatever people in Polebridge are living in these days.

Friends, often personal agendas cloud the larger, concrete issues at hand.  Are you truly most concerned about throwing accusations at a conservationist who has devoted his professional and personal life to preserving and protecting his own backyard?  Something I think we can all agree upon is that the North Fork is a special, unique place…and other areas of the world that are as pristine and unpolluted are few and far between.  We are lucky to have this amazing resource steps away from our front doors.  In my humble opinion, we are fools to not do everything in our power to protect it.

Rebecca, the agenda is keeping the North Fork clean, right?  That means cleaning up the dust problem of the North Fork Road and adherence to Montana clean air standards.  It also would imply adherence to environmental health regulations.  Are you suggesting this one be exempt because he is a “conservationist”?  Or has worked for environmental causes?

Commonsense, thank you for your comment.  By no means am I suggesting exception for Mr. Hammerquist or any other land owner in the North Fork regarding issues as primary as environmental health regulations.  Therein, knowing Mr. Hammerquist personally as many of the Beacon readers also do, I am certain you would be pressed to find anyone more passionate and dedicated to environmental conservation in regards to the North Fork. 

My comment stemmed from the original article we are discussing.  Promoting the demise of existing oil leases on the US side of the North Fork is simply good PR for Montana.  If we are preaching to Canada that preserving wilderness is paramount in our lives, let’s demonstrate that.

I from Montana and when we have something to say to someone we say it to their face, not hide behind some alias a post BS, hear say, rumors.

commonsense and Fair Row you are cowards.

Said Junior, hiding behind his alias.

Rebecca, when you discuss pollution in the North Fork there are three main potential sources that I am aware of.  Mining. Mainly this is regarding potential, yet to happen pollution, from Canada.  The dusty North Fork Road.  It is polluting for five or six months every year And Polebridge waste systems since many are in the flood plain of the river.  They pollute year round.  Fair Row pointed out the pollution problem of the North Fork Road and I happen to agree with this. I pointed out another pollution issue directly related to Polebridge and it directly relates to a spokesperson quoted in the article.  The Flathead Beacon published the article regarding the yurt in July with much fanfare.  So your position is that maybe we shouldn’t preach to Canada until we have thoroughly cleaned up our own backyard?  And our own wildernesses, of which there are currently none in the North Fork,  We have a national park, national forest, state forest and private land.  And somehow retiring old inactive leases at significant cost will do that?  While I don’t agree this will do any good I can accept the position of your argument.  The U.S. may then be able to claim “higher ground” on this narrow issue.  But I must ask, has “Canada” officially asked us to do this or is this just targeted groups using this issue to get these leases retired?  I believe the money it would cost to do this is better spent elsewhere.  By example, fix the dust pollution problem with the North Fork Road.  Citing your position doesn’t it follow that a spokesperson advocating setting this example to Canada should be setting an example regarding waste systems on his own property?  The yurt is probably in the flood plain in Polebridge.  So doesn’t this directly contribute to the river pollution?  As a representative for the National Parks Conservation Association should he not set an example if he is going to publicly argue these issues?  I am sure Mr. Hammerquist is a nice man, passionate and dedicated to the North Fork.  But it doesn’t change the issue regarding his new rental yurt.

My phone number is 885-9455.  If you folks would like to talk to me about energy extraction next to Glacier, the North Fork Road, or where I take care of my personal business, just pick-up the phone.  That’s how we do it in Montana: Face to face.  Man to man.

Those who are true environmentalists/conservationists do not build structures for habitation without the proper waste disposal facilities. As ‘charity begins at home’ so does being mindful of the environment.

whammerquist….You have chosen to use “The Beacon” as a public means to address political issues in the North Fork.  I vote we continue this discussion “man to woman” in this public forum.  A previous issue of “The Beacon” seemed to be advertising your rental yurt.  You even listed a website and your association with National Parks Conservation Association seemingly to add credibility to your rental yurt.  As a conservationist it would seem appropriate that you would want to get a legal waste system.  Did this happen?  If so, great.  I support you.  If not, it seems a bit ironic that a conservationist would be promoting retiring oil and gas leases in the North Fork when this conservationist did not obtain or build the appropriate waste system to not pollute the North Fork.  This is “my” river too and I want to ensure it is kept clean.  Thank You

Bravo, itsmyrivertoo !

I do not have any commercial business operations in the North Fork.  My private property is not available to the public for paid usage.  I have been in contact with Flathead County and been assured that there are no legality issues surrounding my private property.  There is no website advertising a rental.

I understand how forward looking statements I made in a previous edition of the Beacon may have created the impression that I was, in fact, already renting the property.  Since this time, however, we have decided against this option.

I hope this clarifies the issue and lays any rumor to rest.

My understanding is that several construction projects in the Polebridge ‘meadow’ have been halted by the county health department because a permit for a septic system will not be granted. In one case, a log cabin is totally erected, but the owner cannot proceed to finish the cabin because he lacks waste water disposal permits.  Does the Hammerquist property have all necessary approvals from the county health department for waste water disposal ?  Is there any structure serving the purpose of containing waste water/human waste on the property and is that structure approved by the county health department ?  ‘Yes’ and ‘Yes’ answers, if posted, will make for very interesting discussion with the county health department.

Mr. Hammerquist, thank you for your clarification.  Fair Row asks some fair questions.  Polebridge has been subjected to numerous huts without proper legal waste systems.  If yours happens to not be an approved waste system are we to just accept yet another?  And this one built by the National Parks Conservation Association representative, a conservationist, right on the doorstep of Glacier National Park.  You stated it would not be publically available for rent.  Will it be rented at all?