In a letter sent Thursday to Abigail Kimbell, the head of the Forest Service's Region 1, Baucus said full removal of the dam appears to the best option to protect the upper Blackfoot River.
“The dam already failed once, over 30 years ago, and the Blackfoot River is too important to Montanans to risk again on half-measures,” Baucus wrote.
Baucus said he's willing to learn about the other options under consideration.
“While I support removing the dam entirely, I would also like to hear more about the Forest Service's other options to restore and protect the health of this great river,” Baucus wrote. “I urge the Forest Service to reach out to the local community to assure them that they can get the job done right the first time.”
Baucus also asked the agency to extend the public comment period by another 30 days to allow people more time to review the different options for dealing with the site.
The Forest Service started the public comment period on July 17 and is currently giving Montanans until Aug. 16 to respond.
Baucus said extending the public comment period makes sense because it's summer in Montana and farmers and ranchers are cutting hay, outfitters are working on the river, and families are on vacation.
“The people who live and work along this river, and those who value it for its beauty and recreational opportunities, all need to have an opportunity to be heard,” Baucus wrote.
“Countless Montanans count on the Blackfoot for irrigation water and recreation,” Baucus wrote. “We hunt on its shores. We fish its deep pools. We take our kids floating down its rapids. It's a part of our recreational heritage as Montanans. Unfortunately, the Mike Horse Dam on the Blackfoot River threatens this gem of the Treasure State.”
Clark Fork Coalition Executive Director Tracy Stone-Manning said her organization was “thrilled” that Baucus had taken this position and hoped the agency would follow suit.
“We're talking about the Blackfoot River, which of course is a treasure, and doing the right thing to protect it is important,” she said. “Max saw that and we sure hope that Abigail Kimbell sees that as well.”
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