Montana Insurance

Polson - Jack Stanford has spent countless hours during the recent 37 years by peering into microscopes water Flathead Lake, and micro-organisms in it.

But with the naked eye tells him something important, too.

“I’m always walking on the dock to rest each day and surprised that a body of water, which remains in large part, is that clearly, Stanford, said Friday after treatment

Flathead Basin Commission.
“The water quality in Flathead Lake receives an A, even an A-plus. It is fantastic.”

The director of the longtime University of Montana’s Flathead Lake Biological Station was less interested in assigning a grade in the general state of the lake, however, “because if I said or D, F, then I would be more for debt. ”

He left on a C.

“There are two types of Lac-Unis,” said Stanford-Commission at the beginning. “The Mysis there is one and one after.”

Mysis shrimp, established by the State, in the years 1980, in three lakes upstream of Flathead - Swan, Ashley and Renken - In an effort to increase the populations of salmon and trout, finally, their path in Flathead .

He presented the biology of the lake, with its fishing, in his ear.

“This is a cascade effect chaotic,” said Stanford. “All things in the lake to try to focus on Mysis.

The State has been to act in good faith, if Mysis shrimp have been first, Stanford, but Flathead live with the results, because - an explosion in the non-native lake trout and predacious population, which has everything destroyed, but the population of kokanee salmon, and threatens the native bull trout and westslope ruthless figures.

The growth rate of Mysis has declined sharply since the early years, Stanford, food and the network of Flathead is now to stabilize.

“I call them” quasi-stable, “said Stanford.” It is not chaotic as it was. ”

One thing changes, the volume of water in the Flathead warms up in summer - which fail in the lake for years, announced that - and that is changing the Mysis “habits of diet on zooplankton .

“Mysis glacial are relics that are not well in hot water,” said Stanford. “Thus, until now, to head to eat, but go back on the ground and cold water, and that is to leave food near the surface for something else.

“Someone is going on in a rhyme,” said Stanford, and my candidate is yellow perch. ”

The greatest threat to Flathead Lake and its tributaries, “by far,” said Stanford, are proposed in coal mines British Columbia.

“The other hazardous materials being moved on rails and highways near the water,” he added. “A derailment on the Near-range (of the Flathead River), would be a catastrophe beyond belief.”

The 6400 gallons of gasoline Spill in an accident on tankers in Montana Highway 35 earlier this month is an example for the risk of Flathead faces, “said Stanford.

Trucking Industry has said he is against any effort for the types of trucks, and what they wear on Highway 35, travel to the lake from the East and hugs the coast, in some sections . Spook Stang, Executive Vice President of the Montana Motor Carriers Association, said that not only trucks must be able to traverse the nation’s highways in the most efficient manner possible, but they have the right to do so.

“Mr. Stang said:” I’m sorry, but we pay taxes, and we deserve exploitation of the road, “said Stanford.” Now, I’m sorry, but this is a special place, and he won something better. ”

The 23-member Commission, established in 1983 by the Montana Legislature, was updated on the accident gas Paul Rodgers of Cedar Creek Engineering, Lake County and the Director of Emergency Management Steve Stanley.

The accident forced the abandonment for three years and two apartments in summer by the lake, where the gas fumes were observed.

Rodgers said officials have discussed whether they try to outcrop in the territory, with the aim of the movement of 5000 litres of gas, which continue through the sub-foundation. The danger, he said, is that this could pose problems for the supply of good quality, as water of 17 homes in the subdivision.

The good, and even a surveillance system in place, halfway between the site and the benefits of this subdivision of the water source, have always tested since April 2 accident.

Rodgers, spoke about plans for the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, the operator of several years, and dig a 500-foot-long ditch along the coast in an effort to gas before reaching the lake.

“The fear is free occurred in the lake, on contamination dissolved,” he said. “This is the greatest risk.”

Stanley has informed the Commission with his agency urgently needs a curtain Wednesday Boom effectively to any Spill, went directly into the water.

“If we have 6000 gallons of go in Flathead Lake Creek or Jocko, we will fail miserably,” said Stanley. “This is not an issue which, if it happens, it is a question of time.”

The profitability of a fuel Spill, spiller that the removal of pay, Stanley. Caroline accident insurance vehicle for transporting the cellar Billings, trucks possession of the 2nd April to blocking was magnificent in the provision of the province, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes and Cedar Creek Engineering, with everything they need to try to reach the essence of Flathead Lake, Stanley.

But if the incident had happened in the vicinity of Blue Bay, if the sea was full pool, there is nothing that could be done for the protection of the sea, sea without a curtain to the hand and available.

There are no tax dollars for his department to purchase 1000 feet above sea curtain, estimates it would cost $ 13000, he said. If the Office of Emergency Management, he said, he would propose to maintain the volunteer fire department in Finley Point or Woods Bay and the training of firefighters are used.

“The first six to 10 hours are crucial,” said Stanley.

Caryn Miske, Executive Director of the Commission, said they would consider giving the money could be available for the purchase of a lampshade Wednesday.

The Flathead Basin Commission has also distributed Paul Williams Stewardship Awards Friday. Elna and George Darrow of Bigfork, for “their passion and relax in the interest of protecting the water quality in the Flathead Basin, and Lake County and the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes and for their efforts to work together and in harmony to address issues of land use inside the borders of Lake County and the Flathead Indian Reservation, for the good of all residents. “