Swan-Spotted Bear road proposed

Editor,

Last year Governor Schweitzer invited the counties to help with a duty asked of him by the USDA Forest Service. Each governor may advise on roadless policies on Forest Service lands in his or her state.

The governor recently outlined again the form of the questions that he would like answered: On lands now roadless, where certain roads ought to be built and by whom these are to be maintained.

One forest road that might interest Lake County residents, as well as a wider public, would connect the Swan Lake Ranger District with the Spotted Bear Ranger District. In the general vicinity of the village of Swan Lake are a number of forest roads that extended easterly. From the end of one of these roads, a new road going easterly a few more miles could connect to the west end of one of a number of existing forest roads in the Spotted Bear Ranger District.

Swan Lake then would become a gateway to the east, and also to the north through Hungry Horse Reservoir country to Glacier Park and beyond. Both the back country adventurer and the traveler who wants to eventually get back to destinations via highways can find appeal with this.

To help with maintenance, would you be willing to pay to use such a new road connection? A fare box, like those at campground entrances, could be put up.

Edwin Speelman

Kalispell