Summer, 1998 Download as Adobe Acrobat PDF (518K). Use your browser's "SAVE LINK AS" command and save as "SOURCE." Windows: right button click and hold. Mac: click and hold. Selected Stories State of the Lake, 1998 (opens in new page) Future Plans for Watershed Programs Board Welcomes New Member Thank You! Lakers Enjoy Annual Meeting New Membership Program Pat Williams Inspires Lakers Bull Trout Listed Lakers Accomplishments and Plans MPC Releases Revetment Design Educating Future Watershed Citizens Speak Out on Monitoring Funding Lakers Conduct Successful Pilot Project Reminder Watershed Recipe Rundell Joins Board Sid Rundell, a retired business executive, joined the Flathead Lakers Board of Directors in May. He was appointed by the board to fill a vacancy. Prior to retirement, Sid held engineering, marketing, and general management positions at General Electric, Unisys, and Loral Corp. (now part of Lockheed Martin.) Sid and his wife, Lynette, chose to retire in the Flathead valley because of its beauty and quality of life. The decision to select this area came after extensive research and various scouting trips throughout the Rocky Mountain west. During his professional career, he lived in and traveled to numerous communities throughout the U.S. "Some communities did a good job planning development to maintain the surounding environment and quality of life. Other areas fostered policies that supported unfettered human development which resulted in crowding, noise, and congestion," says Sid. He feels the latter example is not a condition many of us would like regardless of other circumstances. Sid plans to apply his business and life experiences in developing Laker policies and initiatives to help maintain and preserve the quality of Flathead Lake and its tributaries for future generations to experience. He feels it's part of giving back to society for some of the wonderful opportunities and experiences this great country has afforded him. Sid is also actively involved with the Mission Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever, serving as Vice President and Habitat Chairman of the organization. Welcome, Sid, to the Flathead Lakers board! Back to top.  Lakers Enjoy Annual Meeting A treat was in store for those who attended the Flathead Lakers Annual Meeting on June 21. Not only did we enjoy the first sunny evening in weeks for our beautiful sunset cruise aboard the Far West on the longest day of the year, we also were fortunate to hear Pat Williams' inspiring remarks about the true worth of Flathead Lake and water quality, and to gain greater understanding of the "state of the lake" from Dr. Jack Stanford (see page 1). Tom Greenwood, the new executive director of the Polson Chamber of Commerce, was the lucky winner of the raffle prize &endash; two framed aerial photos of the Flathead Lake area taken from the space shuttle (generously donated by James Conner, and framed by Crow's Nest Gallery and Frame Shop). Thanks to all the Lakers members and guests who joined us. And a special thanks to Doug Averill and the Flathead Lake Lodge for the lovely meeting site and refreshments, to Jack and Laura Barrett and Bridge Street Gallery for refreshments, and to Dr. Van Kirke Nelson and Doug Averill for making the Far West tour boat available. Back to top.  Pat Williams Inspires Lakers "Flathead Lake renews and sustains us," claimed former Congressman Pat Williams at the Flathead Lakers annual meeting. Regarding the topic of his talk, "Connections Between Environmental Quality and Economic Prosperity," Williams said, "I think Americans and Montanans have figured that out . . . We recognize our greatest liquid asset is water. Here it is this lake, and the feeders of this lake (the rivers). They are Montana's gºreatest asset." Rivers run through our history, our economics, our religion, our culture and society, Williams said. Water sustains agriculture, mining, and industry. Our number one vacation choice is to go to the water. The value we place on water is reflected in real estate. "Proximity to water adds 30 percent to the price of a home, and even more to the price of land." But the water we value is clean water. Americans are the world's leaders in developing technology to clean up rivers and lakes, Williams noted, creating employment and a $64 billion industry domestically, with $170 billion in world-wide sales, a boon to the economy. He credited the Clean Water Act for spurring much of the clean-up, which has led to dramatic improvement in urban area waters, urban renewal and economic development. Williams commented that "without citizen action, no government is wise enough or strong enough to protect its waters by itself." He concluded his remarks by saying it is critically important for citizens and groups like the Flathead Lakers to continue to be active and expand their efforts, so that collectively, and working with all levels of government, we can continue to protect Flathead Lake, "the oldest and wisest citizen in our valley." Back to top.  Lakers Accomplishments and Plans "It has been a priviledge to work for you this past year in our efforts to protect water quality in Flathead Lake and the Flathead watershed," said Executive Director Robin Steinkraus, outlining the year's accomplishments and plans for the future. "The Flathead Lakers have taken steps to increase our influence in decisions that affect water quality." Both internal operations and programs have been strengthened. The Flathead Lakers: developed a strategic plan; are initiating a new program to recruit "Friends of the Flathead," or members who contribute $100 or more annually (see page 7); produced a new Flathead Lakers web page; are planning an outreach program to the business community to both broaden support for stewardship and increase support for the organization; are building relationships with other organizations to increase our effectiveness; continue to support the Flathead Basin Commission's efforts to reduce the amount of nutrients reaching Flathead Lake from nonpoint sources (TMDL); are exploring ways to ensure adequate funding for continued water quality monitoring; continue to monitor developments with Kerr Dam mitigation; and for the second year, are offering a coupon for a discount on septic system pumping; Education remains a large part of what we do," said Steinkraus. The Lakers piloted the first component of a new watershed education program this spring (see page 4). "We produced a special education edition of our newsletter last summer and distributed it to about 8,000 residents and businesses around the lake. We also helped put together a booklet for lakeshore property owners about how they can help protect water quality." The Lakers have had a busy and productive year, said Steinkraus, and now have in place "the framework needed to build programs to . . . ensure that we leave a legacy of clean water, healthy ecosystems and lasting quality of life." Back to top.  Educating Future Watershed Citizens "What a joy it was to work with Polson third graders and their wonderful teachers," said Executive Director Robin Steinkraus about the pilot project for the Flathead Lakers' new education program, Educating Future Watershed Citizens. Steinkraus, part-time education coordinator Diana Schwab, and Lakers member and artist Cas Still spent three weeks last spring helping the 120 students hone their observation skills and begin to learn about the Flathead watershed. The students were introduced to the watershed and the importance of water through the beautiful canvas floor map painted by Missoula artist Hedvig Rappe-Flowers, and a cast of wooden figurines representing historic and current users of water: the original Native American inhabitants, fur traders and explorers, miners, loggers, farmers, and anglers. The students practiced using observation skills both in the classroom and outdoors. They learned about the water cycle through simple experiments and a game. A variety of different maps helped them practice map-reading skills and learn about land-forms. They put that knowledge to use by working in teams of three to create clay watershed models. Field trips to the Flathead Lake Biological Station at Yellow Bay emphasized the connections between the physical and biological components of the watershed. The students loved discovering the life in a stream, and then getting a closer look at aquatic insects under microscopes in the lab. Students also had the opportunity to learn about food webs on a guided nature walk, and express their new knowledge through a water color painting and poetry writing activity. It was a successful beginning to an exciting new Lakers program. "This was the best 'outside' program brought into the school I have seen in 16 years of teaching. It was well-planned, age appropriate, well taught, and very educational. The students said they learned a lot about the watershed. I really liked the integration of several different subject areas, along with the science focus." &endash;Nancy Teggeman, teacher Back to top.  Lakers Conduct Successful Pilot Project The watershed education program culminated with storyteller Carol Soth's artist's residency. Carol's water stories mesmerized the students while reinforcing their understanding of the Flathead watershed and their own role within it. Carol also led each class in one of three art projects: creating a mural of the Flathead watershed (one now hangs in the Flathead Lakers' office), building a mobile depicting what lives in the watershed, and writing recipes for the watershed (see below). The students toured the gypsy wagon Carol travels with. The sides of the wagon are adorned with a series of watershed paintings. The inside of the wagon is full of treasures she's collected from nature and from other artists. "I want to live here!" one student exclaimed. At the beginning of her visits to each classroom, Carol showed the students a wooden box, and gave them clues about what it contains. On her final visit the children guessed what was in the box. She then revealed a beautiful glass globe of the earth, claiming that if the earh were small enough to hold in our hands, it would be a marvel to everyone. People would come from everywhere to see it and learn from it. She challenged the children to turn off the TV and video games, learn the stories of nature, and pass those stories on, so that we remember how precious the earth really is. Back to top. Watershed Recipe by Brittany Put 5 cups of grass on the bottom. Add 7 cups of mountains. Put 3 pounds of all different kinds of flowers in and mash them. Stir for one minute. Stir in a sprinkle of grizzly bears. Add one teaspoon of eagles flying in the sun. Eat at a cool pace. Scrumptious Watershed by Anna Mix together 1 cup mountains, 1 spoonful rivers, 1 lake, 2 cups foxes, 1 spoonful grizzly bears, 1 pound deer, 40 cups grass, 10 cups rocks, 1 cup waterfall, and 9 pounds wildflowers. Put 3 cups robins, 2 cups sparrows, 8 cups butterflys, 1 sun, and 4 pounds clouds in the sky. Then put 20 cups fish in the lake. Flip in the love and then sprinkle all over the land. Spread the smiles from top to bottom. Bake for 2 days and 1 night. Back to top.  Future Plans for Watershed Programs The Lakers board of directors is excited about putting more energy toward the education of children, since they will inherit this special place and be responsible for its future. We believe that understanding and appreciation will inspire stewardship. Planning is already underway to expand the program by adding a stream monitoring project for sixth or seventh graders. The third grade program will continue in Polson next year, and we plan to offer it in another community as well. We hope to add a high school level program the following year. The Lakers' long-term goal is to broaden the watershed focus in our communities by linking schools, rural communities and towns through the common thread of the Flathead River. "Thank you for the great field trip Robin …Thank you for showing me all those bugs. Diana thank you for helping me with my food web. Cas thank you for the great art time. Thanks." &endash;Victor Moldenhauer, student Back to top.  Thank You! Gail Becker, Principal, Linderman Elementary Elaine Meeks, Principal, Cherry Valley Elementary LuAnn Atkinson, Teacher Garth Cox, Teacher Mary Davis, Teacher Gail Gilchrist, Teacher Melinda Orchard, Teacher Nancy Teggeman, Teacher Flathead Lake Biological Station Joe Giersch, Bio. Station Research Aide Cas Still, artist Carol Soth, storyteller Delaney's Landscape Center The SFC Charitable Foundation The Horn Foundation Watershed Education donors Back to top.  New Membership Program The board of directors is initiating a new membership program (Join Us) to increase local support for the work of the Flathead Lakers. We believe clean water and a healthy environment are essential to the quality of life we enjoy in the Flathead. We are working to ensure that clean water is part of the legacy we leave. The board of directors risked doubling the annual operating budget to $55,000 in the belief there are more people who are willing to protect our quality of life by investing in the Flathead Lakers. We are actively recruiting "Friends of the Flathead." "Friends" are members who contribute $100 or more annually &endash; inexpensive insurance to protect our natural wealth. Friends of the Flathead enjoy all the regular membership benefits, including the newsletter, opportunities to take action and meet other concerned citizens, and clout in water quality decisions. Friends play a vital role in supporting our programs that protect water quality by leveraging volunteer hours. They will also be invited to a special appreciation event. Sixty-four of you have already made the commitment to contribute annually at the "Patron" level or above. We greatly appreciate the support of our "Charter Friends." And of course, we appreciate new and renewing members at whatever level they choose to give. This new program will help the Lakers'conserve clean water in Flathead Lake and its watershed, broaden support for stewardship, and strengthen the capacity to assure lasting quality of life. Back to top.  Bull Trout Listed After half a dozen years and as many lawsuits, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the bull trout in the Columbia and Klamath (Oregon) River Basins "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act on June 10. Previously, the Fish & Wildlife Service had classified bull trout listing as "warranted, but precluded." Legal challenges from Friends of the Wild Swan and the Alliance for the Wild Rockies finally forced listing. Bull trout need cold, clean waters to survive, and can serve as an indicator of watershed health. Under the terms of the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies must now review all their projects in these two river basins to make sure they do not harm bull trout. The Fish and Wildlife Service must develop a recovery plan, and take over management of the fish from the states. Fish and Wildlife Service officials have indicated the work of Governor Racicot's bull trout recovery team will be incorporated into the federal management plan. Back to top.  MPC Releases Revetment Design On June 23, Montana Power Co. submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission its final design for the revetment (dike) to prevent erosion on the north shore of Flathead Lake. The final plan differs from earlier proposals by shortening the revetment west of the Flathead River by 1,000 feet. This reduction is achieved by taking a more direct line across a bay near the river outlet. Although the revetment is still termed "shore-aligned," in this area it is obviously off-shore. The design also includes a 4,800 foot revetment along the west bank of the Flathead River and a 4,400 foot shore-aligned revetment on the lakeshore east of the river mouth. The east side revetment and access road is scheduled to be constructed during the "construction season" of October to May in 1998-1999. The west shore revetment and river riprap will be constructed during the same period in 1999-2000. The design documents are available for review at the Flathead Lakers office. Back to top.  Speak Out on Monitoring Funding Bruce Young of the Flathead Lake Protection Association has initiated a letter-writing campaign to voice concerns about the lack of adequate funding for water quality monitoring in the Flathead Basin. Bruce is asking everyone concerned about this problem to write a letter-to-the-editor, and send him a copy. He will distribute the letters to the news media throughout the state. Calling Flathead Lake "a state and national treasure," Young said, "Our elected officials, from the governor on down to our county commissioners, have ignored their responsibility when it comes to water quality in Flathead Lake." The public, says Young, knows how valuable water quality is. Now we must raise the issue so our legislators and county commissioners pay attention. To help with this effort, please send your letter to Bruce Young at P.O. Box 582, Lakeside, MT 59922, or call 844-3500 for more information. Reminder: Septic Pumping Coupon Still Good The coupon for a 10% discount on septic system pumping, which appeared in the spring issue of the Flathead Lake Monitor, is good until October 1, 1998. Contact the Flathead Lakers office if you need one.Redeem your coupon now to protect water quality and save money! Back to top. Selected Stories State of the Lake, 1998 (opens in new page) Future Plans for Watershed Programs Board Welcomes New Member Thank You! Lakers Enjoy Annual Meeting New Membership Program Pat Williams Inspires Lakers Bull Trout Listed Lakers Accomplishments and Plans MPC Releases Revetment Design Educating Future Watershed Citizens Speak Out on Monitoring Funding Lakers Conduct Successful Pilot Project Reminder Watershed Recipe Rundell Joins Board Sid Rundell, a retired business executive, joined the Flathead Lakers Board of Directors in May. He was appointed by the board to fill a vacancy. Prior to retirement, Sid held engineering, marketing, and general management positions at General Electric, Unisys, and Loral Corp. (now part of Lockheed Martin.) Sid and his wife, Lynette, chose to retire in the Flathead valley because of its beauty and quality of life. The decision to select this area came after extensive research and various scouting trips throughout the Rocky Mountain west. During his professional career, he lived in and traveled to numerous communities throughout the U.S. "Some communities did a good job planning development to maintain the surounding environment and quality of life. Other areas fostered policies that supported unfettered human development which resulted in crowding, noise, and congestion," says Sid. He feels the latter example is not a condition many of us would like regardless of other circumstances. Sid plans to apply his business and life experiences in developing Laker policies and initiatives to help maintain and preserve the quality of Flathead Lake and its tributaries for future generations to experience. He feels it's part of giving back to society for some of the wonderful opportunities and experiences this great country has afforded him. Sid is also actively involved with the Mission Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever, serving as Vice President and Habitat Chairman of the organization. Welcome, Sid, to the Flathead Lakers board! Back to top.  Lakers Enjoy Annual Meeting A treat was in store for those who attended the Flathead Lakers Annual Meeting on June 21. Not only did we enjoy the first sunny evening in weeks for our beautiful sunset cruise aboard the Far West on the longest day of the year, we also were fortunate to hear Pat Williams' inspiring remarks about the true worth of Flathead Lake and water quality, and to gain greater understanding of the "state of the lake" from Dr. Jack Stanford (see page 1). Tom Greenwood, the new executive director of the Polson Chamber of Commerce, was the lucky winner of the raffle prize &endash; two framed aerial photos of the Flathead Lake area taken from the space shuttle (generously donated by James Conner, and framed by Crow's Nest Gallery and Frame Shop). Thanks to all the Lakers members and guests who joined us. And a special thanks to Doug Averill and the Flathead Lake Lodge for the lovely meeting site and refreshments, to Jack and Laura Barrett and Bridge Street Gallery for refreshments, and to Dr. Van Kirke Nelson and Doug Averill for making the Far West tour boat available. Back to top.  Pat Williams Inspires Lakers "Flathead Lake renews and sustains us," claimed former Congressman Pat Williams at the Flathead Lakers annual meeting. Regarding the topic of his talk, "Connections Between Environmental Quality and Economic Prosperity," Williams said, "I think Americans and Montanans have figured that out . . . We recognize our greatest liquid asset is water. Here it is this lake, and the feeders of this lake (the rivers). They are Montana's gºreatest asset." Rivers run through our history, our economics, our religion, our culture and society, Williams said. Water sustains agriculture, mining, and industry. Our number one vacation choice is to go to the water. The value we place on water is reflected in real estate. "Proximity to water adds 30 percent to the price of a home, and even more to the price of land." But the water we value is clean water. Americans are the world's leaders in developing technology to clean up rivers and lakes, Williams noted, creating employment and a $64 billion industry domestically, with $170 billion in world-wide sales, a boon to the economy. He credited the Clean Water Act for spurring much of the clean-up, which has led to dramatic improvement in urban area waters, urban renewal and economic development. Williams commented that "without citizen action, no government is wise enough or strong enough to protect its waters by itself." He concluded his remarks by saying it is critically important for citizens and groups like the Flathead Lakers to continue to be active and expand their efforts, so that collectively, and working with all levels of government, we can continue to protect Flathead Lake, "the oldest and wisest citizen in our valley." Back to top.  Lakers Accomplishments and Plans "It has been a priviledge to work for you this past year in our efforts to protect water quality in Flathead Lake and the Flathead watershed," said Executive Director Robin Steinkraus, outlining the year's accomplishments and plans for the future. "The Flathead Lakers have taken steps to increase our influence in decisions that affect water quality." Both internal operations and programs have been strengthened. The Flathead Lakers: developed a strategic plan; are initiating a new program to recruit "Friends of the Flathead," or members who contribute $100 or more annually (see page 7); produced a new Flathead Lakers web page; are planning an outreach program to the business community to both broaden support for stewardship and increase support for the organization; are building relationships with other organizations to increase our effectiveness; continue to support the Flathead Basin Commission's efforts to reduce the amount of nutrients reaching Flathead Lake from nonpoint sources (TMDL); are exploring ways to ensure adequate funding for continued water quality monitoring; continue to monitor developments with Kerr Dam mitigation; and for the second year, are offering a coupon for a discount on septic system pumping; Education remains a large part of what we do," said Steinkraus. The Lakers piloted the first component of a new watershed education program this spring (see page 4). "We produced a special education edition of our newsletter last summer and distributed it to about 8,000 residents and businesses around the lake. We also helped put together a booklet for lakeshore property owners about how they can help protect water quality." The Lakers have had a busy and productive year, said Steinkraus, and now have in place "the framework needed to build programs to . . . ensure that we leave a legacy of clean water, healthy ecosystems and lasting quality of life." Back to top.  Educating Future Watershed Citizens "What a joy it was to work with Polson third graders and their wonderful teachers," said Executive Director Robin Steinkraus about the pilot project for the Flathead Lakers' new education program, Educating Future Watershed Citizens. Steinkraus, part-time education coordinator Diana Schwab, and Lakers member and artist Cas Still spent three weeks last spring helping the 120 students hone their observation skills and begin to learn about the Flathead watershed. The students were introduced to the watershed and the importance of water through the beautiful canvas floor map painted by Missoula artist Hedvig Rappe-Flowers, and a cast of wooden figurines representing historic and current users of water: the original Native American inhabitants, fur traders and explorers, miners, loggers, farmers, and anglers. The students practiced using observation skills both in the classroom and outdoors. They learned about the water cycle through simple experiments and a game. A variety of different maps helped them practice map-reading skills and learn about land-forms. They put that knowledge to use by working in teams of three to create clay watershed models. Field trips to the Flathead Lake Biological Station at Yellow Bay emphasized the connections between the physical and biological components of the watershed. The students loved discovering the life in a stream, and then getting a closer look at aquatic insects under microscopes in the lab. Students also had the opportunity to learn about food webs on a guided nature walk, and express their new knowledge through a water color painting and poetry writing activity. It was a successful beginning to an exciting new Lakers program. "This was the best 'outside' program brought into the school I have seen in 16 years of teaching. It was well-planned, age appropriate, well taught, and very educational. The students said they learned a lot about the watershed. I really liked the integration of several different subject areas, along with the science focus." &endash;Nancy Teggeman, teacher Back to top.  Lakers Conduct Successful Pilot Project The watershed education program culminated with storyteller Carol Soth's artist's residency. Carol's water stories mesmerized the students while reinforcing their understanding of the Flathead watershed and their own role within it. Carol also led each class in one of three art projects: creating a mural of the Flathead watershed (one now hangs in the Flathead Lakers' office), building a mobile depicting what lives in the watershed, and writing recipes for the watershed (see below). The students toured the gypsy wagon Carol travels with. The sides of the wagon are adorned with a series of watershed paintings. The inside of the wagon is full of treasures she's collected from nature and from other artists. "I want to live here!" one student exclaimed. At the beginning of her visits to each classroom, Carol showed the students a wooden box, and gave them clues about what it contains. On her final visit the children guessed what was in the box. She then revealed a beautiful glass globe of the earth, claiming that if the earh were small enough to hold in our hands, it would be a marvel to everyone. People would come from everywhere to see it and learn from it. She challenged the children to turn off the TV and video games, learn the stories of nature, and pass those stories on, so that we remember how precious the earth really is. Back to top. Watershed Recipe by Brittany Put 5 cups of grass on the bottom. Add 7 cups of mountains. Put 3 pounds of all different kinds of flowers in and mash them. Stir for one minute. Stir in a sprinkle of grizzly bears. Add one teaspoon of eagles flying in the sun. Eat at a cool pace. Scrumptious Watershed by Anna Mix together 1 cup mountains, 1 spoonful rivers, 1 lake, 2 cups foxes, 1 spoonful grizzly bears, 1 pound deer, 40 cups grass, 10 cups rocks, 1 cup waterfall, and 9 pounds wildflowers. Put 3 cups robins, 2 cups sparrows, 8 cups butterflys, 1 sun, and 4 pounds clouds in the sky. Then put 20 cups fish in the lake. Flip in the love and then sprinkle all over the land. Spread the smiles from top to bottom. Bake for 2 days and 1 night. Back to top.  Future Plans for Watershed Programs The Lakers board of directors is excited about putting more energy toward the education of children, since they will inherit this special place and be responsible for its future. We believe that understanding and appreciation will inspire stewardship. Planning is already underway to expand the program by adding a stream monitoring project for sixth or seventh graders. The third grade program will continue in Polson next year, and we plan to offer it in another community as well. We hope to add a high school level program the following year. The Lakers' long-term goal is to broaden the watershed focus in our communities by linking schools, rural communities and towns through the common thread of the Flathead River. "Thank you for the great field trip Robin …Thank you for showing me all those bugs. Diana thank you for helping me with my food web. Cas thank you for the great art time. Thanks." &endash;Victor Moldenhauer, student Back to top.  Thank You! Gail Becker, Principal, Linderman Elementary Elaine Meeks, Principal, Cherry Valley Elementary LuAnn Atkinson, Teacher Garth Cox, Teacher Mary Davis, Teacher Gail Gilchrist, Teacher Melinda Orchard, Teacher Nancy Teggeman, Teacher Flathead Lake Biological Station Joe Giersch, Bio. Station Research Aide Cas Still, artist Carol Soth, storyteller Delaney's Landscape Center The SFC Charitable Foundation The Horn Foundation Watershed Education donors Back to top.  New Membership Program The board of directors is initiating a new membership program (Join Us) to increase local support for the work of the Flathead Lakers. We believe clean water and a healthy environment are essential to the quality of life we enjoy in the Flathead. We are working to ensure that clean water is part of the legacy we leave. The board of directors risked doubling the annual operating budget to $55,000 in the belief there are more people who are willing to protect our quality of life by investing in the Flathead Lakers. We are actively recruiting "Friends of the Flathead." "Friends" are members who contribute $100 or more annually &endash; inexpensive insurance to protect our natural wealth. Friends of the Flathead enjoy all the regular membership benefits, including the newsletter, opportunities to take action and meet other concerned citizens, and clout in water quality decisions. Friends play a vital role in supporting our programs that protect water quality by leveraging volunteer hours. They will also be invited to a special appreciation event. Sixty-four of you have already made the commitment to contribute annually at the "Patron" level or above. We greatly appreciate the support of our "Charter Friends." And of course, we appreciate new and renewing members at whatever level they choose to give. This new program will help the Lakers'conserve clean water in Flathead Lake and its watershed, broaden support for stewardship, and strengthen the capacity to assure lasting quality of life. Back to top.  Bull Trout Listed After half a dozen years and as many lawsuits, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated the bull trout in the Columbia and Klamath (Oregon) River Basins "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act on June 10. Previously, the Fish & Wildlife Service had classified bull trout listing as "warranted, but precluded." Legal challenges from Friends of the Wild Swan and the Alliance for the Wild Rockies finally forced listing. Bull trout need cold, clean waters to survive, and can serve as an indicator of watershed health. Under the terms of the Endangered Species Act, federal agencies must now review all their projects in these two river basins to make sure they do not harm bull trout. The Fish and Wildlife Service must develop a recovery plan, and take over management of the fish from the states. Fish and Wildlife Service officials have indicated the work of Governor Racicot's bull trout recovery team will be incorporated into the federal management plan. Back to top.  MPC Releases Revetment Design On June 23, Montana Power Co. submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission its final design for the revetment (dike) to prevent erosion on the north shore of Flathead Lake. The final plan differs from earlier proposals by shortening the revetment west of the Flathead River by 1,000 feet. This reduction is achieved by taking a more direct line across a bay near the river outlet. Although the revetment is still termed "shore-aligned," in this area it is obviously off-shore. The design also includes a 4,800 foot revetment along the west bank of the Flathead River and a 4,400 foot shore-aligned revetment on the lakeshore east of the river mouth. The east side revetment and access road is scheduled to be constructed during the "construction season" of October to May in 1998-1999. The west shore revetment and river riprap will be constructed during the same period in 1999-2000. The design documents are available for review at the Flathead Lakers office. Back to top.  Speak Out on Monitoring Funding Bruce Young of the Flathead Lake Protection Association has initiated a letter-writing campaign to voice concerns about the lack of adequate funding for water quality monitoring in the Flathead Basin. Bruce is asking everyone concerned about this problem to write a letter-to-the-editor, and send him a copy. He will distribute the letters to the news media throughout the state. Calling Flathead Lake "a state and national treasure," Young said, "Our elected officials, from the governor on down to our county commissioners, have ignored their responsibility when it comes to water quality in Flathead Lake." The public, says Young, knows how valuable water quality is. Now we must raise the issue so our legislators and county commissioners pay attention. To help with this effort, please send your letter to Bruce Young at P.O. Box 582, Lakeside, MT 59922, or call 844-3500 for more information. Reminder: Septic Pumping Coupon Still Good The coupon for a 10% discount on septic system pumping, which appeared in the spring issue of the Flathead Lake Monitor, is good until October 1, 1998. Contact the Flathead Lakers office if you need one.Redeem your coupon now to protect water quality and save money! Back to top.