Public comment sought on draft EA near Thompson Falls State Park

THOMPSON FALLS - Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) announced today that public comments are being sought on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to relocate the public latrine at the Flat Iron public access site on the Lower Clark Fork River.

Currently the Flat Iron public latrine, located on US Highway 200, one mile down river west of Thompson Falls State Park, is located below the normal high-water mark along the Clark Fork River.

As a result, the latrine is frequently flooded during high flows, prompting Parks Division to proactively pump the vault and prohibit public use until waters drop. This project will relocate the latrine to a higher point above the traditional flood elevation.

The project would have a positive cumulative effect due to the lessened likelihood of contamination to the Clark Fork River.

Maintenance and repair from flooding will be avoided by relocating the latrine to the more suitable area. The latrine would be available to the public throughout the year and the need for periodic closure, due to flooding, would be eliminated.

No cumulative negative impacts are anticipated by the proposed action.

Funding for this project is provided entirely by Avista Utilities (avistautilities.com). As a function of the Clark Fork (hydropower) Settlement, Montana State Parks receives recreational funding from Avista Utilities.

Public comments should be submitted by Friday, April 25. The public can comment online at http://stateparks.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/environmental-assessments/pn_0018.html or visit: stateparks.mt.gov click on “submit public comments” or by mail to Flat Iron Latrine Relocation 490 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901.