HydroSolutions has been awarded the contract to manage the Flathead National Forest Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive River Management Plan (CRMP) for the three forks of the Flathead River near Glacier National Park. The 3-Forks of the Flathead was designated a Wild and Scenic River in 1978 and is a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It encompasses the North Fork of the Flathead from the Canadian border to its confluence with the Middle Fork, the entire Middle Fork, and the South Fork from its headwaters to Hungry Horse Reservoir. The North Fork and the lower Middle Fork forms the boundary of the Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park. Portions of the Middle and South Forks flow through the Bob Marshall and Great Bear Wilderness Areas. A total of 219 miles of the Flathead River are included in the designation.
HydroSolutions has been hired to coordinate the interagency planning team and develop the CRMP in coordination with the Flathead National Forest, Glacier National Park. To date we have led planning efforts and provided training to the interagency team. HydroSolutions will complete the CRMP and associated environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The project will span three years, with decision documents anticipated in 2020.
The planning team will reach out to the public to provide information on the statutory requirements of a CRMP under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, describe the need for change from the current river management plan, and to gather public input on management issues for the CRMP. The first public meeting introducing the project will be held on March 6th from 6 to 8 pm at the Cedar Creek Lodge Conference Room in Columbia Falls, Montana. Additional meetings will follow allowing for further participation and opportunities to comment. 2018 is the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and there will be several commemorative events planned by the US Forest Service and other agency partners throughout the year.
