Glacier Park Seeks Comment on Non-Native Quartz Lake Trout

By Keriann Lynch, 3-24-09

Glacier National Park is seeking public comment on what to do about the discovery of predatory lake trout, or mackinaw, in Quartz Lake in the park's northwest corner. Quartz Lake was last best natural lake for native fish in the Columbia River Basin.

The Missoulian did a story earlier this month saying that the park has identified three alternatives.

One maintains the present management of the Quartz Lake drainage. The other two tackle the problem. The most ambitious calls for a four-year radio telemetry and experimental netting project that would require an 18-foot or larger motorized boat to be airlifted into the lake.

The other would use non-motorized watercraft to conduct hook-and-line and, weather permitting, small netting operations for lake trout evaluation and lethal removal.

Comments on Quartz Lake can be provided electronically through Glacier National Park's planning Web site at parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkID=61 by selecting this project. Written comments can also be submitted to: Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: Quartz Lake EA, P.O. Box 128, West Glacier, MT 59936. Deadline is April 6.
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