News

Big News! FWP Acquires Somers Beach for Future State Park

by jen

Interim amenities are also proposed for public safety, sanitation, and parking needs. 

 The following is an October 7 Press release from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks:

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks acquired the 106-acre Somers Beach property on the northwest shore of Flathead Lake with plans to add it to Montana’s state park system. The previous owners, the Sliter family, permitted public access to the property for many years, and its designation as a state park will perpetuate public enjoyment and access into the future.

Since the site is suitable for a variety of recreational offerings and amenities, such as trails, hand-launch boat access, picnic tables, and more, FWP is working on a long-term vision and development plan for the park that will include extensive public involvement.

While that comprehensive process is expected to take several months, FWP is starting with an interim plan to address immediate needs for public safety, sanitation, and parking. The proposed amenities are outlined in a draft environmental assessment that is available online at https://fwp.mt.gov/news/public-notices and open to public input through Nov. 6. A public meeting is scheduled for Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. through Zoom. The meeting information will be posted online at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/regions/region1.

Written comments can be mailed to: Somers Beach Acquisition EA; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; 490 N. Meridian Road; Kalispell, MT 59901 or sent by e-mail to: Stevie Burton at [email protected].

FWP asks the public to recreate responsibly at the property and follow all day-use rules – No camping or campfires; Leave No Trace; and Pack It In, Pack it Out etiquette – while also respecting neighboring private property.

The acquisition of the Somers Beach property marks an achievement many years in the making thanks to community collaboration and support. The property represents a significant undeveloped portion of the north shore of Flathead Lake and will complement habitat protections already in place along the lakeshore. Once it becomes a state park, it will provide more public access to Flathead Lake, which currently has less than 20 public access points along its 185 miles of shoreline, all of which are heavily used by residents and tourists alike.

Throughout the year, there is enormous demand for opportunities to recreate on or near the lake; and state, city, and county parks and Fishing Access Sites (FAS) are at or above capacity throughout much of the year. Seeing this need for more recreational access, multiple entities have been working together to add the proposed Somers Beach property to the Montana State Park System and ensure future public access.

FWP worked with the Sliter family and Flathead Land Trust to consider the project. The Flathead Land Trust previously solicited public input on the initial acquisition, and several hundred people provided comment. Funding for the acquisition was provided by the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant and required matches from Parks Earned Revenue funds.

Through an extensive public process and private fundraising, support flourished for the park.

“For more than a decade, we have worked with the Sliter family with a shared goal to find a conservation outcome for this special property and expand much needed outdoor recreation opportunities along the north shore of Flathead Lake,” said Paul Travis of Flathead Land Trust. “We are beyond excited that it is now a new Montana State Park and give a big thank you to the Sliter family, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and all donors and partners who helped make it happen.”

Coby Gierke, Executive Director of the Montana State Parks Foundation, added, “After a couple years, a lot of hard work, and after building some amazing partnerships, we’re finally here, opening an amazing new park on the north shore of the lake. We definitely wouldn’t be here today without all the great support we’ve received for this project from donors and organizations in the Flathead area and beyond.”

“Over the last five years, we’ve seen how much Montanans love their state parks, especially the sites on Flathead Lake. Adding another park on the lake is an amazing opportunity and we’re very glad our partners at FWP didn’t let it pass them by.”

News

Lex Blood and Mike Conner receive the 2015 Flathead Land Trust Leadership Award

by jen

December 14, 2015 – The conservation achievements and leadership of Dr. Lex Blood and Mike Conner were recognized at the FLT holiday party and membership meeting on Thursday, December 3rd with the Flathead Land Trust Leadership Award. This is the second year the award has been given to recognize the conservation achievements, leadership, and incredible volunteer service individuals have given to the community through their work with Flathead Land Trust.

“It’s only appropriate as we celebrate our 30th year as the Flathead’s local, community-based land trust that we recognize both Lex and Mike, who were instrumental in the beginnings of this organization, as well as with its success over the years” said Paul Travis, Flathead Land Trust executive director.  “This well-deserved award acknowledges their leadership, vision and ability to get things done which has made this organization what it is today and has created a land and water legacy for the benefit of all of us in the Flathead.”

Mike Conner led a distinguished career with the Forest Service over many years.  While at the Flathead National Forest in the early 1980’s, he was approached to help develop a conservation easement donation program and to partner with a private nonprofit organization to help implement this relatively new concept.   Because of Mike’s efforts and the momentum that he helped to create, the idea of a local land trust caught on the Flathead which resulted in the formation of the Flathead Land Trust in April, 1985.

Mike has played just about every role in the organization, from advisor and member of the advisory board for many years, to even time as an executive director.  We are very fortunate that he continues to lend his knowledge and leadership to the organization and our conservation efforts which he was instrumental in getting started.

Dr. Lex Blood is a trained geologist, long-time Flathead educator, and a leader and invigorator of conservation efforts across the Flathead for many years. Lex retired from a distinguished teaching career as a Geology/ Geography/Earth Science instructor at Flathead valley Community College, and an adjunct professor of Natural Resources at the University of Montana. He was co-founder, president emeritus, executive director, and instructor for the Glacier Institute and is the founder of the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem Education Consortium (COCEEC). He also began the Flathead Nonprofit Development Partnership and is the managing director for The Sustainability Fund which offers grant funding to sustain nonprofit and conservation efforts throughout northwest Montana.

Lex continues to be very active in conservation and educational efforts in the Flathead, giving his knowledge and leadership experience to numerous organizations, consortiums, and institutes.  He also continues his work as a geologic consultant with Flathead Land Trust.  His leadership, involvement, generous financial support through the Sustainability Fund, and desire to see this local land trust achieve its mission and goals are big reasons why we can celebrate much of the conservation work that has been accomplished over the years throughout northwest Montana.