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Proposed Campground Near Glacier Park Draws Criticism

Glacier National Park
Flickr user photommo (CC-BY-ND)
Glacier National Park

A company proposing to develop a new campground just outside Glacier National Park’s western entrance is facing opposition from the park, some local residents and agencies.

The company Glacier Park, Inc, plans to build a campground with 25 rental cabins and 102 recreational vehicle spaces near the village of West Glacier. GPI says it will also build a new water and sewer system for the development.

The proposal comes as Glacier National Park has seen record-breaking numbers of tourists for the past three years.

In a letter to Flathead County, Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow raised concerns about the proposed campground’s impacts to traffic congestion, light pollution and the nearby Flathead Wild and Scenic River corridor.

Local residents echoed those concerns, and say they’re also concerned about wildlife and water quality.

The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation says GPI will need to request a review of water rights.

Glacier Park, Inc., owns and operates several of the park’s historic lodges and hotels, as well as other shops and services.

The Flathead County Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. at the South Campus Building in Kalispell. The board will send a recommendation on the proposal to county commissioners, who will hold a second public hearing before making a final decision.

Meeting info:

Flathead County Planning Board regular meeting

Wed., April 12, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Second-floor conference room of South Campus Building, 40 11 th St. W., Kalispell.

Map: https://flathead.mt.gov/CampusMap.pdf

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