WHY FLATHEAD VALLEY?

Flathead County encompasses an area of 5,256 square miles that includes approximately 587,430 acres of private land.  The Flathead Basin is one of the most highly valued watersheds in the lower 48 states.  Flathead Lake is one of the 300 largest and cleanest lakes in the world and is also the largest fresh water lake west of the Mississippi River. The Basin contains remarkably pristine and diverse communities of plants and animals, including over 300 species of aquatic insects, 22 native and introduced species of fish, as well as the full complement of large carnivores (wolves, grizzly bears, mountain lions) found at the time of European settlement. It is also a continentally important bird migration corridor.  Much of the public lands within the Basin have received the highest degree of protection in recognition of their incredible resource values.

Flathead County is the third fastest growing county in Montana, with a population increase of 26% from 1990 to 2000.  Some suggest that this is amenity driven growth, stressing the importance of our clean water, wildlife, and public lands access to our economic health.  Since 2000, the population has increased by 12% and according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population in 2030 is expected to increase 71%. With this comes the associated disappearance of farmlands, wildlife habitat and open space, compromising of scenic views and inappropriate development in areas prone to flooding and over shallow aquifers.  From 2000-2005, 14,731 acres were subdivided and 3,124 lots were created.  Additional development has happened in the last two years and there are literally thousands of lots that have already been approved for development. 

Flathead County recently completed an updated growth management plan which addresses some of these issues but also leaves a lot of gray area regarding conservation of lands identified as “critical.”  Our role as a local land trust has become more important as growth continues to increase and there continues to be a lack of city and county regulations to keep it under control.