I went to the University of Montana. When I go back to Montana, I go for the recreational activities that the state provides. Many of my friends from school live and work in the communities they grew up in across western Montana. It’s shocking when you learn how many of them are making a good living as a guide or otherwise involved in the sustainable business of recreation. Actually, if you’ve read a book like Tom Power’s Lost Landscapes, the value of highly skilled service jobs — whether we’re talking about a business consultant, a diesel mechanic or a guide — would come as no surprise.
According to the story in the Ravalli Republic, the local paper of the Bitterroot Valley, the County Commissioners of Ravalli County can’t recognize value when it’s in front of their eyes. They recently voted to turn a mighty fine climbing area into gravel. Wow! Residents who live in the canyon don’t want it to happen as they’re worried about the traffic, local business owners don’t want it to happen as they know — just as the business owners in Penticton, British Columbia came to learn — that climbers actually contribute serious dollars to the local economy.
The Ravalli County Commissioners had a choice, and they chose nothing. They chose not to have climbers spend money in their economy, and they chose to stop the hunters, hikers and other folks interested in outdoor recreation from benefiting from what everybody thinks is a fantastic and valuable recreational resource. They chose to take the scenic beauty of the county and reduce it to nothing. Another reason to vacation in British Columbia…I’m going to take the time to write a letter to the County Commissioners, and if you like climbing on granite, you might write one too.
From the article written by Anthony Quirini:
“All we were asking for is input on what they’re thinking,”(Steve) Porcella (Access Fund Co-ordinator for Western Montana) said. “I understand that the county has constant and forever rock needs, but I think it’s dependent upon the county and Forest Service to get their resources in a place that doesn’t have a conflict with a valuable recreational area.”
As well, the canyon is popular for bikers, hikers and fisherman - all of which may be impacted with heavy truck traffic.
“Frankly, from a Forest Service perspective this goes against everything they are trying to accomplish - for this to be a premier recreation area,” Howell said.
Others questioned Ohnstad’s numbers.
“It seems like we’re hearing erroneous numbers again,” Mark Bearman said during the meeting.
In 2007 the Ravalli County commission was deadlocked 2-2 on a vote to re-open the quarry. Commissioner Driscoll abstained from voting, saying she wanted to review Ohnstad’s numbers.
After researching those numbers, Driscoll was ready to vote, but the commission indefinitely tabled the issue after dozens upon dozens of citizens protested the issue.
