Trail proposal riddled with serious flaws

To the editor:

I have read numerous articles over the past few months regarding the portion of the Pacific Northwest Trail that traverses the Yaak Valley in northwestern Montana.

One of the most troubling aspects of the whole conversation is that in spite of a 1980 federal report recommending “no trail,” it was designated part of the Pacific Northwest Trail and thus a part of the National Scenic Trail in 2009.

The report also stated “there would be significant adverse environmental impacts on the grizzly bear and on fragile and frequently over-utilized high elevation areas.”

It was approved by congress in 2009 with no further environmental review, no environmental impact statement and no comprehensive management plan set in place by the U.S. Forest Service.

This is an insult to the residents of the Yaak Valley and to all Montanans. It is also in direct violation of federal law.

Keith Kratzer

Columbia Falls