Effects of Land Use Activities on the North Fork of the Flathead River Basin within Glacier National Park

Abstract

At least 56 external threats which endanger the ecology of Glacier National Park (GNP) have been identified (National Park Service 1980). And while this is a park wide situation, Park managers have identified the North Fork Basin of the Flathead River as a region that is particularly sensitive to external land use activities, and as a unique unit within the Park. This area possesses substantial wilderness features (solitude, primitiveness), and provides habitat for threatened and endangered species such as the grizzly bear, gray wolf, and bald eagle, as well as other species of special interest like the westslope cutthroat and bull trout. We proposed a problem solving analysis to develop a cause and effect model for evaluating the impacts of external land use activities on the North Fork system within GNP. The cause and effect model would provide a qualitative assessment of the impacts on the natural resources of the Park, as well as on recreational quality. The specific objectives of this project were: 1. Identify the problem that exists in the North Fork region; 2. Identify the causes and effects of the environmental problem; 3. Identify tasks to help solve the problem; and 4. Provide a methodology which could be used to help organize and solve problems that the involved agencies might encounter.