CONDON- The Swan Valley Community Council met on March 21 to discuss federal funding for bridge repair, bear news, Alpine Artisans summer events, National Forest updates and Holland Lake.
Missoula County has requested permission from the Condon town council to apply for federal funds to repair the Cold Creek bridge through the Federal Land Access Program. (FLAP) If the council consents to the application then the county would submit for funding which can be used to repair the bridge but not other projects.
The only objection came from Brian Praschak who simply wanted to know why the county couldn’t prioritize other bridges in greater need of repair. The council agreed to discuss the other projects with the county but made clear that this application would be for federal funding that can only be used for Cold Creek bridge because of its trail access.
Anyone wishing to more about the FLAP funding, and the Cold Creek bridge project can find information and voice their concerns on the county’s missoulacountyvoice.com
The council is waiting for results on a speed study conducted on route 83. Next month’s meeting should have those results and will be attended by the sheriff and deputy sheriff to discuss a local lack of police presence and ways to amend that.
Program Coordinator and 2 Valleys Stage Program Director, Jenny Rohrer, presented a list of upcoming programs and summer concerts for Alpine Artisans.
In July as part of the International Choral Festival, which brings choruses from all around the world to Missoula every three years, Alpine Artisans will be hosting a choir performance at the Seeley-Swan High School.
Shakespeare in The Park will also be returning again this summer with a performance of “The Three Musketeers.”
Luke Lamar presented updates about the Swan Valley’s bear population, which is coming out of hibernation. He spoke about some scientific studies and public assistance for bear-proofing.
Area residents with bear-proofing needs can contact the Swan Valley Bear Resources (SVBR) through Swan Valley Connections or the Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) office if they have financial obstacles hindering their bear-proofing efforts. SVBR offers free inspections and appraisals, and can assist with materials and labor if the need is there. They also offer bear-resistant trash containers, which can be borrowed indefinitely with a suggested donation of $50.
Lamar also cautioned about avian flu, which is predicted to be more widespread this year compared to previous years. Avian flu can transmit through entire flocks of birds in shared spaces, or through feed or feces. It can even contaminate soil for as much as a month.
Beyond the threat that avian flu presents to local chicken farmers, it has also been found to transmit to bears who become exposed to dead birds or their waste. In bears, the avian flu can cause life-threatening seizures and blindness. Lamar expressed the importance of disposing of dead chickens correctly so as to not spread the disease.
“If, for some reason, all of your chickens are dead one morning, don’t throw those chickens just out in the woods because they could have bird flu,” Lamar said “Call your county health department and they’ll advise you on how to get rid of those chickens.”
Anyone seeking further advice about bear and bird related matters is advised to attend the annual Bear Wake Up potluck and presentation in the Swan Valley Community Hall on April 5 at 6 p. m.
Swan Lake District Ranger, Chris Dowling presented new business with the Flathead National Forest, highlighting upcoming work on the Old Condon Cabin and a few permits being sought to extract large boulder material from an area on Dog Creek.
Dowling also reviewed new special use permits in process for the summer season. Adventure Cycling Association will be leading guided overnight long-distance biking tours through the Swan Valley and camping in the Flathead National Forest. He also discussed some other new organized camping permits.
Dowling also discussed, in length, what may happen with the Holland Lake Lodge expansion if POWDR submits a new proposal. As of now, there is no new master development plan, but he expects they will submit a new plan since they have already invested a lot of time and money in the area.
If that new plan is accepted it will still have to go through separate application processes before any new work begins or new activities happen on the property.
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