Molly:  It seems to me that you picked the wrong graphic for this story.

Thank you Kalispell Native. The story now has the correct graphic.

Actually, the protected area should be labeled, “US Fish & Wildlife Service - Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area.”  As it is labeled currently readers will be deceptively think that the developer is protecting something, when in actuality, he is going to destroy an incredibly important wildlife corridor, one of the last remaining across the Flathead Valley.

It is Mr. Dupont and Mr. Lauman who are costing the county millions of dollars by not standing up to the original decision to deny, which was based on 3 very defensible reasons. A 4th reason to deny would be the threat of polluting the Somers drinking water and Flathead Lake.

If greed and development continues to take precedent over protecting wildlife values, the Quality of Life in Flathead Co will be degraded enough that real estate values and the economy will continue to decline.

oops, take out the word “be” in second sentence.

I don’t know what all the whining is about.  I assume the three million will simply come from property taxes.  That just means that those poor property owners will have less money to give to American Dream Montana.  Way to go Joe Brenneman !!!

It is unfortunate that taxpayers now must make up for poor decision making adn poor planning.  That money could have been put to much better use.  Unfortunately, there has been much ill-will generated through this debacle.  I’m not sure that greed has anthing to do with it, while it likely has much to do with honesty.  What is really meant by “increadibly important wildlife corridor?”  For grizzly bears?  I don’t think so.  For elk?  Probably not important.  For moose?  maybe the willows along the shoreline, but probably not incredibly important fo rmoose.  Where’s the Beef?  Lets face it; if that area were so “increadibly important,” it should have been purchased or easements put in place decades years ago.

When did Eagle Bend subdivision go in, 1982, 1985?  How long has escalated development been occurring in the Flathead Valley?  Development south of Hwy 82 should have been expected 25-plus years ago.  The area in question could not have become “incredibly important” in the past 5 years.  It appears to me some people and organizations are not being honest about the true reasons for their oposition.

I agree with Sharon.  If the area south of Highway 82 was really as important and sensitive as some advocates claim, why is the area unzoned?  Do people really think that modern agriculture (fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides) don’t affect the water quality of the Lake and that somehow a well-designed subdivision is more harmful?  Appropriate zoning should have been the first step for managing development in a sensitive area.  The area between Highway 82 and the wildlife refuge has value as open space and scenic qualities, and as wildlife habitat.  But, I suspect labeling the seriously altered north shore as “incredibly important” wildlife habitat is a stretch and nothing more than a red herring.  Because of the controversial nature of zoning (a four letter word to many), most environmental groups are unlikely to attempt to loby for appropriate zoning of areas they deem important.  The end run that bypasses that important first step leads to controversy and distrust.  And, here we are - all losers!