Hungry Horse news., 1954-03-26
Grange In Bottle
Of Bunker Creek

The Flathead's battle of Bunker
creek continued in full swing this
week with the Grange endorsing
construction of the continental
road.
Whitefish, Kalispell, Bigfork
and Somers wildlife groups op-
pose construction of an access
road into the drainage to salvage
and control spruce bark beetle
infested timber, and they want
enlargement Of the Bob Marshall
Wilderness area.
Directors Of the Northern Rocky
Mountain Sportsmen's association
this week went on record endors-
ing construction of the Bunker
creek road, and opposing enlarge
ment Of the Bob Marshall Wilder
ness area at this time. The club
has members in Columbia Falls.
Hungry Horse, Martin CITY. Coram
and West Glacier. The club direc-
tors did not feel that the proposed
road was encroachment On The
primitive area.
Kalispell and Columbia Falls
Chambers of Commerce have also
taken stands favoring the pro
posed Bunker Creek road.
Flathead county executive
group of a national conservation
group, the Grange came out IN
favor of the proposed road. De-
Witt Clark, Creston, master Of
Flathead Pomona Grange for
warded the following article:
Executive Committee of Flat
head County Pomona Grange held
a lengthy discussion Saturday af-
ternoon, March goth, on the con-
troversial development of the
Bunker Creek drainage area by
the forest service. 1t was decided
to support the forest service plan
for the development of the Bun
ker Creek drainage and to oppose
any further expansion of the Bob |
Marshall Wilderness area at this
time. The Grange believes that ac-
cess roads should be built to all /
stands of merchantable timber and
especially to any spruce timber
infected by the spruce beetle.
Importance of the timber industry
in the economy of Flathead county
is second only to agriculture and
furnishes our largest industrial
payroll. The Grange believes that
maximum production of our tim
Der resources on sustained yield
basis by the state and national
forest service and private owners
should be encouraged.
The state and national forest
services were created for the pur-
pose of protecting our forest re-
sources from destruction by fire,
insects, disease and indiscriminate
logging. Because of wise manage
ment of our national forest re-
sources this is the only major
branch showing
profit by paying more into the
treasury than is appropriated for
its administration. The national
forest service pays to the counties
in lieu of taxes $50 of its total
receipts in that county and Flat
head county received about $780,
300 last year. During the few {
years $1,700,000 has been spent {
On the construction of access
roads by the national forest SER
vice in Flathead county which was G
an important factor in the econ
omy of our county.
The Grange recognizes the re- q
.reational value of our state and T
rational forests and believes that n
The greatest good to the largest o
lumber of our people" will be
,etter served by development of (
more roadside parks and the Y
,uilding of access roads wherever N
The few who are able
financially and physically to visit {
ur wilderness areas and enjoy n
he fishing, hunting and recrea- a
ional opportunities are but a c
mall percentage of our state pop
lation. Ont of state tourists seek 81
lg relaxation pay taxes too and
re entitled to easier access roads s.
nd better roadside parks in our v
ational forests. 1