Senate Panel Approves Baucus Move to Protect North Fork
Press Release
Today a Senate panel approved Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus' measures to boost Montana's economy, create good paying jobs and protect Montana's outdoor heritage.
Baucus' measures, to clean up toxic pollution in the Columbia River Basin and protect the North Fork of the Flathead Valley on both sides of the Canada and U.S. border, were passed by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
"The North Fork is one of the areas I love most about Montana," Baucus told the committee, "Everyone who sees it is awed by its pristine waters, larger than life landscapes, and breathtaking views. With its headwaters in British Columbia, the North Fork of the Flathead River forms the western boundary of Glacier National Park -- it is one of the last untouched places on our continent. For decades, the North Fork has been threatened by oil and gas and mining proposals in British Columbia. For the last 35 years, I have battled these proposals, one by one. After 35 years of work, we are beginning a new chapter."
The Transboundary Flathead Basin Protection Act of 2010 directs the President to take steps to protect the North Fork of the Flathead on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border. It also authorizes federal agencies to participate in joint environmental studies with Canada and authorizes grant funding for the work.
Baucus is also cosponsoring a measure with Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho to will reduce toxins in the Columbia River Basin. In Montana, several rivers including the Kootenai, Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Flathead and the Blackfoot, could receive funds for toxic reduction. While the Baucus measure allows for a funding mechanism, the bill does not provide funds which must be secured separately through the appropriations process.
The North Fork of the Flathead and Glacier National Park are major economic drivers in northwestern Montana. Every year, more than two million visitors spend more than $150 million in the area.
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