County seeks input on plan

By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter

Lincoln County officials want to know residents' wishes for future commercial and residential development.

Within a week, residents will get that chance.

The county's registered voters can expect a three-page related survey in the mail. Residents will be asked to take the five to 10 minutes to fill it out and return it by Oct. 1.

Surveys also are available online at www.lincolncountymt.us, and by then clicking on "Planning Survey." In addition, they will be available at the county courthouse in Libby and libraries in Libby, Troy and Eureka.

As of Monday, the 42 people who had responded to the online survey seemed to have a general consensus.

"Literally 100 percent support a growth policy (for development)," said Mary Klinkam. "They want to keep a rural atmosphere and they don't want crowding."

Klinkam will take over as head of the county's environmental planning department after director Ken Peterson retires Friday.

A law requires counties to implement "a growth policy" for development. A county planning board was appointed in the spring to come up with the policy. Its members include Carl Leggins, president; Chris Fox, vice-president; and Rick James, David Johnson, Tom Jones, Joe Kelley, Hank LaSala, Mike Marvel and Paul Tisher.

The county doesn't expect to meet an Oct. 1 deadline to devise the policy, Klinkam said.

"Our goal is to have it completed in 2007," she said.

Leggins hopes residents will respond to the survey.

"We're just trying to find out what the public wants," Leggins said. "I think most people are concerned about the rate of growth."

According to information on the county:

l It experienced dramatic growth from 1950 to 1970 due to high birth rates and jobs related to he construction of Libby Dam.

l Population growth in the last decade was due primarily to in-migration and an increase in service jobs. According to the 2000 Census, one in five residents moved to the county during the last five years.

l An average of 132 new housing units were built annually between 1990 and 2000; that's jumped to 156 annually since 2000.

l Only 8 percent of the housing units are rated "good" or "excellent," compared to 35 percent statewide.

l Per capita income and median income is lower than state and national averages.

l Residents living under the poverty level has increased since 1989 to 18.3 percent in 2003; the statewide average is 14.2 percent.