Swan Lakers is a
NON PROFIT organization.  CONTRIBUTIONS
are appreciated  and will be used to provide information to the community and for legal representation, if needed, to protect  the Swan Lake ecosystem and the rural character of the area.


 Swan Lakers
P.O. Box #399
Bigfork, MT 59911
(406) 837- 4511

Contact us

Swan Lakers 
Welcome to our website.  Today is Monday, March 8, 2010.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." 

Membership and Contribution Information
Any Level of Support is appreciated
Printable, downloadable MEMBERSHIP /CONTRIBUTION FORM
 or email info@swanlakers.org

Swan Peak and Swan Lake -- photos courtesy of Shelley Emslie
 

New! Latest News on the North Shore Ranch Subdivision (a Proposed Subdivision bordering Montana Highway 82 and the North Shore of Flathead Lake, between Highway 35 at Bigfork and Highway 93 South of Kalispell) The proposed development allows for approximately 367 acres to be subdivided into approximately 290 residential units, in a combination of single family, townhouse, condo, commercial, and/or assisted living units. The Flathead County Commissioners originally denied the proposal, because of unmitigated impacts to to the environment, wildlife habitat and health and public safety. Upon denial, a law suit was filed against Flathead County for which a settlement agreement has been made with the developers. Flathead County taxpayers may end up paying over $3 million dollars out to the developers as a result of the Commissioner's denial of this project. To learn more about this proposed development, please view the following documents and visit the links provided.

Related Documents, Articles and Comments:

Although this settlement agreement has already been drafted between Flathead County and the developers,  the Commissioners have delayed accepting the terms of the agreement for one (1) week.  We urge interested parties to review the information provided and to send comments to Elaine Nelson at the Flathead County Commissioner's Office at: enelson@flathead.mt.gov.

Other Recent Area News: Follow this link to the Flathead Beacon for news on an agreement that bans mining and drilling in the British Columbia portion of the North Fork of the Flathead valley.


UPDATE #2 on Johnson Creek Flood plain delineation: After reviewing the revised flood plain analysis submitted by River Run Associates (Kootenai Lodge Estates), the Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) still has concerns. Based on the this review Lake County cannot approve the proposed flood plain delineation.  Follow this link for the Technical review by DNRC of the revised flood plain survey by River Run Associates (Kootenai Lodge Estates) and this link for the Response by Lake County Planning to this second Technical Review.

Here is more information on a proposed water quality testing program, flood plain delineation on Johnson Creek

UPDATE on Johnson Creek Flood plain delineation: Lake County has received from the Milhous group an amendment to the '100 year Flood Plain' Report for Johnson Creek. Here is the letter Swan Lakers received from Lake County. Follow these links for original Technical review by Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) of the flood plain survey of Johnson Creek submitted by Milhous Group and the Response by Lake County Planning to Technical Review

And follow this link for the Final settlement between Swan Lakers, Milhous Group, and Lake County (file size is 3.4 MB)

 

Links to important Documents and Regulations

Lake County Planning Department | Lake County Commissioners Agenda| Lake County Growth Policy | Lake County Density Map and Regulations
Lake County Lakeshore Regulations | Lake County Subdivision Regulations | Swan Sites Zoning Regulations | Kootenai Lodge Zoning Regulations

Links to Local Newspapers Online

Bigfork Eagle | Daily Interlake | Lake County Leader | West Shore News | Whitefish Pilot
Flathead Beacon | Hungry Horse News

The Lake County Planning Office website posts Legal Notices for projects. Lake County Commissioners Schedule is posted before the hearing dates.  Legal Notices for proposed projects in our area are also posted in the Bigfork Eagle classified section. The same notices appear in the Lake County Leader  classified section. These notices are somewhat hidden. Please scroll down through the classified ads to the Legal Notices or click on the "Legal Notices" link under the "CLASSIFIED" heading.

Please send your letters and comments regarding any of these projects to:

Lake County Planning Department
106 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860
Phone: 406-883-7235
Fax: 406-883-7205
Email: planning@lakemt.gov

Lake County Commissioners
106 4th Avenue East
Polson, MT 59860
Phone: 406-883-7204
Email: commissioners@lakemt.gov

The Swan Lakers would like to receive a courtesy copy of correspondence at: info@swanlakers.org

 

Recent Items and Articles of Interest

739-lot project withdrawn  (Although this is a Lakeside project, it sounds similar to the path of the Kootenia Lodge Condo project)

No clear path at Lake Co. zoning meeting, Published: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 8:28 AM PDT

Technical review by Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) of the flood plain survey of Johnson Creek submitted by Milhous Group
and the
Response by Lake County Planning to Technical Review

Developers request dock variances; Shortly After Legal Settlement, Kootenai Lodge Upsets Neighbors
By KERRIAN LYNCH, Flathead Beacon;  January 5, 2009

Kootenai Lodge Estates had earlier requested variances (since withdrawn) to the design standards of the Lake County Lakeshore Protection Regulations AND requested a variance from the the court "Order of Dismissal with Prejudice" between the Swan Lakers and the Kootenai Lodge Estates. The requested variances were to:  "1) allow permanent dock pilings, which are not allowed on Swan Lake, 2)  allow the docks to not be removed from the water by December 1 on a yearly basis,  3)  allow the docks to not be anchored according to the methods required by the current regulations, and 4)  allow the docks to exceed 50 feet in length when there is adequate water depth at the ends of the docks." 

Response by Lake County Planning Department to Variance Request

Response from the Kootenai Lodge Estates to the Planning Department's initial non recommendation of approval to the Commissioners

Kootenai Lodge Estates photos (large file 6.5 MB), Kootenai Lodge Estates Exhibit B
Meeco letter and photo,
and
Kootenai Lodge Estates Exhibit A

 

We are still not aware of a new or modified request for this variance has been submitted. We will post all new information as it is received.

 

Lake County Subdivision Regulation Updates of 2008

The Lake County Planning Board voted unanimously to pass the Lake County Subdivision Regulation Updates of 2008 after ten months of work.  This included all the changes to regulations agreed to by Lake County under the settlement agreement signed with the Swan Lakers and Milhous Group.   The changes would mean, among many other improvements, that Lake County shall consider DENSITY as a criteria in subdivision approval and that the Commissioners would NOT BE required to accept the number of units as proposed by a developer.  The Commissioners shall also consider the impact on the natural environment including historical features and wildlife.  They would also have to consider the impact on local services during the subdivision application and review process.  The update includes language specifying that the threat of a lawsuit shall not be a basis to approve or deny a subdivision.
The final draft of the Proposed Updates to the Lake County Subdivision Regulations, as well as the Current Subdivision Regulations, may be viewed at Lake County Planning Department, Room 315 of the Lake County Courthouse, in Polson, or online at
http://lakecounty-mt.org/planning. Please continue to send comments to:  Lake County Planning Department at 106 Fourth Avenue East, Polson, Montana, 59860 or by FAX 406-883-7205, or by email at  planning@lakemt.gov .

 Note: As of October 24, 2009, we do not know the status of the the updates to the Subdivision Regulations. We DO NOT know if the Commissioners ever approved the changes. Documents located on the Lake County Planning website indicate that these changes have NOT been adopted yet.

SEND LETTERS TO EDITORS & OPINIONS TO:

Lake County Leader (Polson)   editor@leaderadvertiser.com

Missoulian (Missoula)               oped@missoulian.com

Bigfork Eagle (Bigfork)             editor@bigforkeagle.com

Daily Interlake (Kalispell)         edit@dailyinterlake.com

SWAN LAKERS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Keith Laverty  - President             mtnppl@bresnan.net
Denny Kellogg - Vice President    kellogg@montanasky.net
Jerry d'Aquin - Secretary              consulinc@aol.com
Mary Supan - Director                  peanutsupan@yahoo.com
Hugh Corn - Director                    hncc@montanasky.us

 

Hit Counter

Back to Top