ELBOW LAKE - I have been camping, fishing, floating and boating on Elbow Lake since 1977. In 2001, we acquired a DNRC lease on Elbow Lake. It was a dream come true. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be part of this area and the Elbow Lake ecosystem. I consider myself to be a good steward of the land.
On the other hand, I find that the Department of Natural Resources and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks have not held up their end of being good land stewards through their lack of communication with Elbow Lake stakeholders, not being inclusive in their decision making and not following the guidelines set out in the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA).
The MEPA states that informed decisions are ones that “consequences of the decision are understood, reasonable alternatives are evaluated and the public’s concerns are known.”
The letter dated June 21, 2019 from Michael O’Herron, DNRC and Randy Arnold, FWP informed the lessees and landowners that the rock weir would be removed in the Fall of 2019. They hope we’ll understand. I don’t understand.
Other than an opportunity presented in the letter dated Sept. 30, 2019 where the prepared Environmental Assessment was included, we weren’t given an opportunity to make a formal comment. I can’t see where the two agencies have invited stakeholders or the public to sit down and be part of any discussion.
In fact, I have heard from many fellow lessees many comments that negate any kind of inclusiveness in decision-making. These comments include: the plan is to continue up the Clearwater system and remove any and all dams; nothing can be done about the weir removal; it’s a done deal; still waiting to hear back from an email sent to DNRC (the lease holder heard back 10 weeks and two days later); I’d be irritated too, if I were you – FWP employee; you better plan on building your dock much further out in the lake - FWP employee (2004).
Camp Upmost has approximately 600 area youth swimming and canoing throughout the summer, rafts float down from the gorge, multiple paddle boarders can be seen often, fisher people and families out having fun are all part of why I love Elbow Lake.
My family and I especially love observing the wildlife. We have seen loons, grebes, golden eyes, mergansers, sandhill cranes, trumpeter swans, bald and golden eagles, osprey, hawks, bears, beaver, otters, deer, and elk in and around Elbow Lake. Others in the area have observed grizzlies moving through in early spring.
Why is it that the Rainy Lake Dam has enhanced fish passage (supported by FWP), Lake Inez has fish ladders and annual removal of boards (supported by FWP), Placid Lake has a dam above the Owl Creek outlet to keep non-native pike from reaching the waterbody (supported by FWP) but it seems that, according to FWP, all problems will be solved by removing the historic rock weir on Elbow Lake?
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