Called to order at 8:15 P.M. by Chairman Don Sullivan. Those present. Don and Sue Sullivan, Larry Wilson, John Frederick, Cecily McNeil, Alan McNeil. Guests: Oliver Meister, Richard —.
Minutes. The minutes of the 2005 annual meeting were read by the secretary, and approved as read.
Tresurer’s report. Sue Sullivan, Treasurer, reports a balance of $840.23.
John Fredrick said that our organization need not worry about “lobbying.” We would overstep our legal bounds only if we were to lobby for a political candidate.
Larry Wilson reported that he had attended the winter Interlocal meeting and that he had also conferred with Rich Moy and others, offering the help of the Compact in monitoring the water of the North Fork of the Flathead. In every case there had been initial enthusiasm, followed by no action.
Larry said that he had contacted Don Murray from the Flathead Land Trust to ask whether Murray or one of the other members would be willing to address a North Fork meeting during the summer — on the subject of land covenants. Murray is willing to do this, and our organization wants to follow through on this matter.
It was pointed out that we had been slated to host the summer Interlocal meeting but since it was not possible, we agreed to host the summer 2007 Interlocal.
Don Sullivan said that he had contacted people in various political offices — Governor Schweitzer’s office and the staffa of Montana representatives about monitoring the water of the North Fork of the Flathead, and again, it is the same story. Initial enthusiasm. No governmental follow-through.
Sullivan told us that he had also talked with Jack Potter, who told him that the park has let a contract for monitoring water quality at the border. The river will be checked four (4) times a year. However, according to Larry, the program is not comprehensive enough to determine degradation of the water.
In fact, the response in regard to establishing a baseline for water quality of the North Fork is, according to one of our members, “a mess.” The necessary checking is not being done.
Present relations between the U.S. and Canada were discussed. Larry pointed out that British Columbia is embittered because of unfulfilled United States promises in regard to Lake Kookanusa. The situation is not promising.
Don Sullivan suggested that we put pressure on national and state government by means of strong letters directed to them from all three of our local North Fork organizations, the NFPA, the NFLA, and the Compact. A letter to the local papers would be part of this effort. The letter would stress the urgent need for baseline information about the water quality of the North Fork of the Flathead River. Time is running out for this effort to be effective.
Motion 1. The above suggestion was made into a motion, seconded, and approved by the members: namely, that the NFLA, NFPA, and the Compact take a unified position in regard to water-quality monitoring in order to have the necessary baseline to facilitate protecting the water of the North Fork.
There were two other motions during the meeting, each discussed by the members and adopted by voice vote.
Motion 2. Alan McNeil proposed that the Compact apply for grant money for the monitoring of the river. After discussion, the motion seconded and was approved. Alan is going to look into the possibilities of grant money and hopefully have more information by the time of the winter Interlocal meeting. It was noted that monitoring is a job requiring credentials and training. Larry said that there has been confusion about our best reaction to the Canadian mining threat because the U.S. State Department discourages individual states from encroachment on their diplomatic turf.
Motion 3. Larry Wilson moved that the North Fork Compact become a group member of the Flathead Coalition (to which the NFLA and NFPA already belong). This motion was seconded and approved.
Larry brought up the topic of the RC &D, which has not limited use of its government funds to fire mitigation. Larry also mentioned the RAC (Resource Advisory Committee), which is appointed by the Dept. of Agriculture and has funds for outdoor uses such as roads and trails. For instance they spent 120 thousand on repair of Wurtz hill.
Don Sullivan will arrange a date for an informational meeting with a talk by Don Murray or one of the Flathead Land Trust people.
Cecily McNeil reported on the poll of our members as to whether to amend the Compact to allow sale acreage minimum of 20 acres rather than 5 acres. 78 per cent of our total membership, voting by acreage (1 vote per hundred acres or portion thereof) voted FOR the change. This amendment is now officially registered at the Flathead County Courthouse.
Don inquired whether there is any further action needed for members to record this on their deed. A local attorney at Kaufman Vidal has informed Cecily that no further action is needed by individual members. The amendment is official and covers the change.
Don will write a letter to all North Fork landowners with information about the aims of the Compact and its history, inviting new landowners to become members.
It was decided not to increase the dues at this time.
Larry expressed concern over the incivility over divisive issues on the North Fork. He said that this cycle is beginning to repeat itself. The members present joined in the hope that awareness of this problem can help us to be an influence for peaceful consensus.
Finally, our 2006 elections were duly held, with the following result: Board member, with term to 2012, John Frederick; Secretary, Alan McNeil.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30.
Respectfully submitted,
Alan R. McNeil