Volume XXI, Number 2

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

Page One News at a Glance

Buy fresh, buy local at Bitterroot Community Market

Fish recovery project hits roadblock

Fire season flares up

Schools respond to chemical query

Buy fresh, buy local at Bitterroot Community Market

By Michael Howell

The Bitterroot Valley Food Co-op, a cooperative venture in the nascent stages of formation comprised of local food producers and local retailers, already has one foot in the door at the Bitterroot Community Market in Stevensville. Bevan Williams, Director of Sustainable Living Systems, a local organization that is spearheading the formation of the food co-op, said that the aim is to have at least six outlets in the valley by next spring, housed in already existing businesses, offering locally grown and produced food.

The development of a local food co-op was a natural outgrowth of the more general efforts of Sustainable Living Systems at building a locally self-sustaining economy, according to Williams.

"If we can't provide our own food," said Williams, "then we are not independent."

Williams said that Sustainable Living Systems first started as a self-help, self-education project to create an environmentally friendly and self-sustaining place for himself to live. It soon became apparent, however, that becoming self-sustaining and self-sufficient were goals shared by many others in the wider community and that it made sense to help each other and educate each other to further the concept of local sustainability and independence.

The effort to engage the entire valley community in their thinking led to the formation of the Conversation Cafe, an informal gathering held on the first Thursday of each month in Corvallis at the Corvallis High School Library at 7 pm. One outcome of the monthly event is the effort at forming a food co-op.

The first step in the project was to do a survey of the community to see what interest there might be in forming a food cooperative. Of about 400 surveys returned, nearly all respondents felt that something should be done along the lines of a food co-op. A majority of respondents also indicated that they would pay up to 25 percent more for fresh, organic produce.

Teaming up with Alternative Energy Resource Organization-Montana (AERO-Montana), which is a part of the Food Routes Network which provides technical support to non-profit organizations to strengthen regional markets for locally grown foods, Sustainable Living Systems has become the Community Campaign Coordinator for the Buy Local, Buy Fresh Campaign.

There are a lot of good reasons for buying locally produced food, according to campaign participants. Taste is a major factor. Food grown close to home is crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor.

"The average food item travels 1,300 miles to reach your dinner plate," states the campaign literature, "but local food is picked and sold at its nutritional peak."

Locally produced food also generally has less pesticides and antibiotics, reduces the chance of contamination through industrial processing or shipping, and eliminates the need for irradiation. Buying food locally also helps support Bitterroot Valley family farms, provides revenue to local businesses and the community, reduces our need to import food from other states or countries, and supports jobs that large, corporate farms don't provide.

"When you Buy Fresh, Buy Local, you support the Bitterroot Valley local, family economy. This ensures that the family farms in your community will continue to thrive and that future generations will have access to nourishing, flavorful, abundant and local food," states the literature.

"The aim of the co-op is not to make a lot of money," said Williams, "but to provide a dependable outlet for local producers and to provide fresh, healthy food to the community."

Besides forming the food co-op, the efforts of Sustainable Living Systems at building a local food system include publication of a Producers Directory, recruiting institutions, such as schools, rest homes, hospitals, restaurants, senior centers and lodges, to buy locally produced food, maintaining a seed bank of locally adapted crop varieties, and connecting would-be farmers with landowners who are not farming but who would benefit if their land was in agricultural production. The organization is also working with the E.F. Schumacher Society at establishing a local currency and barter system as well as committing land to Community Land Trusts.

The Community Land Trust is a form of common land ownership with a charter based on the principles of sustainable and ecologically sound stewardship use. The central principle of Community Land Trust is that homes, barns, fences, gardens, and all things done with or on the land should be owned by the individuals creating them, but the land itself ­ a limited community resource ­ should be owned by the community as a whole. The Community Land Trust's primary function is to buy or accept gifts of land and lease it back to members under a 99-year lease that is inheritable and automatically renewable. Through the 99-year lease, the trust removes land from the speculative market and facilitates multiple uses such as affordable housing, agriculture, and open space preservation.

Williams said that the Buy Local, Buy Fresh section now open at the Bitterroot Community Market made a profit in its first week in business. John Sevear is managing and organizing the sale of local produce at the store. An effort is also made to provide organic items that are not produced locally, such as bananas and oranges.

"But if someone started producing local bananas, we would provide the outlet for them," said Williams.

More information about the Buy Local, Buy Fresh campaign can be obtained on the internet at www.aeromt.org, and information about the formation of the Bitterroot Valley Food Co-op can be obtained on the internet at www.sustainablelivingsystems.org, or call 961-4419.

Fish recovery project hits roadblock

By Michael Howell

A plan to install water siphons under Skalkaho Creek to help restore the fishery has been scuttled due to the refusal of one landowner along the creek to participate in the project, according to state Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials. The siphons are needed to keep fish in Skalkaho Creek from entering the Hedge and Republican Ditches during their annual migration back to the river.

FWP has installed three fish screens up Skalkaho Creek to keep fish from leaving the creek and entering ditches that take water from the upper part of the creek. Entering a ditch that is dried up in the winter proves to be lethal to many fish. As a part of those recovery efforts a graduate student from the University of Montana placed radio transmitters on several adult fish in upper Skalkaho and tracked their movements during migration. What he discovered was that a large majority of the fish traveling down the creek toward the river are sidetracked at the Hedge and Republican Ditches, where they cross the Skalkaho. The ditches both currently dump their water into the creek and take it out on the opposite side. The plan was to install siphons that would conduct the ditch water across the stream without mixing with it in the creek.

According to FWP fisheries biologist Chris Clancy, the fish screens on the upper Skalkaho are working fine but without the siphons on the Hedge and Republican ditches the benefits of the fish screens on the upper part of the creek are being lost as fish escape at the Hedge and Republican ditch crossings.

FWP officer Mark Lere said that the agency had received a federal grant for 65 percent of the cost of installing the siphons; the other 35 percent of the cost was covered by the state Future Fisheries Program.

"The ditch companies have been great to work with," said Lere. He said that fish screens were not an easy thing to maintain, but that the ditch companies have been extraordinarily helpful in the fisheries project. While the proposed siphons would be on ditch company right-of-way, the use of adjoining land for the construction of the siphons was required and one landowner, along the Republican Ditch, was not willing to sign off on the deal. As a result, the state stands to lose the federal grant funds that were obtained for the project due to a time restraint on the funding.

"The good news," said Lere, "is that if the concerns of the adjacent landowner can somehow be met, the funds may be available in the future."

In a related development, the large fish screen at the point on the river where the Republican Ditch takes its water from the Bitterroot River has recently been upgraded. According to Clancy, the large fish screen has been largely dysfunctional since it was installed. Last week FWP replaced the large panels on the screen with ones that had larger holes. Clancy said that the new panels seem to be working a little better, but time would tell.

Fire season flares up

By Michael Howell

Higher humidity and some moisture tempered fires on the Bitterroot Forest on Monday, but did not stop three fires started by lightning when the a thunder cell came through the valley. Rural fire departments and Forest Service firefighters responded to a fire at the Rifle Range in Hamilton, one near Bass Creek between Florence and Hamilton, and almost at the same time at Bell Crossing two miles north of Victor. All three fires were put out due to the quick response by personnel and equipment as well as timely and accurate reporting of the fires.

The area around the Stevensville Ranger District did receive several lightning hits during the brief storm, however, no new fires had been found as of press time.

Winds were not as severe as predicted for Monday's storm and fire activity was relativity calm.

Plans were being made Monday night on how to attack the Rock Creek Fire Complex, the largest set of fires burning on the Bitterroot National Forest at press time. The fires started in the forest above Como Lake following dry lightning storms early this month. Two fires were identified in the area on August 2. A third was identified on August 3. And the next day a fourth was identified. Then, on August 5, the Rockin Fire, which was estimated at 250 acres, blew up in heavy winds to cover 1,400 acres and was lumped together with the others and called the Rock Creek Fire Complex. The next day, August 6, the Complex covered 1,600 acres and by Sunday, August 7, it was estimated to cover 3,500 acres.

A Type II Incident Management Team took over the fire fighting efforts on the Rock Creek Complex on Monday at noon. The fires had not been managed due to the steep and rugged terrain, according to Forest Service spokesperson Nan Christianson. But fire planners were hoping to take action as the fire moved eastward into a more accessible area that was burned previously in 1988.

The West Fork Ranger District has been the hardest hit with about 28 fires burning in the Selway Bitterroot and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness areas. Suppression action has been taken on six of those fires. Helicopters were making water drops on the 225-acre Barecastle fire which was lightning-caused and a Type II Incident Management Team was scheduled to take over the fire fighting efforts on Barecastle on Monday. The Bare Cone Lookout was evacuated and trails #627 and #1303 were closed in the vicinity of the fire.

Other fires being suppressed in the West Fork Ranger District include the Old Hickory Fire on Chandral Creek. It is less than an acre in size and staffed by three firefighters. The Blue Creek Fire in the Overwhich area is also less than an acre and is staffed by three firefighters. The Salt Creek Fire, south of Alta, is less than an acre and staffed by five firefighters. The Woods Creek Pass Fire, also south of Alta and staffed by six to eight smokejumpers, is also less than an acre. The Mine Creek Fire, east of Alta, is also less than an acre and staffed by three firefighters.

The Darby Ranger District, where the Rock Creek Complex is located, is also fighting a fire, the origin of which is unknown, up Rye Creek, six miles southeast of Darby on private land. Forty firefighters, including the Darby Rural Firefighters and Forest Service personnel, are fighting the Rye Creek Fire. As of Monday, two helicopters dropping water and several air tankers dropping retardant continued to work on the fire.

Two lightning-caused fires are being battled in the Sula Ranger District, the Miss Hall Fire and the Nicole Fire. Both are spot fires estimated to be about one-tenth of an acre in size on Monday. Three firefighters hiked in to attack the Miss Hall Fire near Saddle Mountain. Five rappellers are fighting the Nicole Fire located north of Overwhich Falls.

Current closures on the Forest include Rock Creek Trail #580 at the head of Como Lake, the west end of Como Lake to all boats because of helicopter activity, Little Rock Creek Road #550, and South Lick Creek Road #5623.

The Spring Gulch Fire, which started along Highway 12 near Lolo Hot Springs on the Missoula Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest, was contained on Monday at five acres. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Fires burning along Interstate 90 west of Missoula continue to threaten homes in the West Mountain Creek area and at Alberton. Although closed for a period of time due to the fires in the area, I-90 is now open to traffic in both directions. Through the fire area the westbound lane is restricted to one lane of traffic and has a speed limit of 55 mph. A 20-mile section of the Clark Fork River remains closed from Petty Creek to Tarkio because helicopters continue to use the river as a water source.

The 1-90 Fire is comprised of four fires along the Interstate. Senator Conrad Burns visited the fire Monday and received an in-depth briefing by Lolo National Forest officials and fire managers. The Senator saw firsthand some of the complexities that managers are facing with on this fire such as the Interstate, the proximity of homes, and the BPA powerline. The two most troublesome fires, West Mountain and Tarkio, were relatively quiet on Monday. The combined acreage was estimated at 4,200 acres on Monday. The West Mountain Fire continued to back down the ridge toward the homes near West Mountain Creek. Firefighters and engines were focused on this area and the protection of these 10 homes. Sprinklers have been placed on the homes and three Interagency Hotshot Crews were constructing fireline upslope from the homes on Monday. The eastern-most flank of the Tarkio Fire grew slightly on Monday.

An area closure has been put into effect in the vicinity of the I-90 Fire. It covers an area north of I-90, east of Quartz Flat, west of the Ninemile Valley and south of Stark Mountain. This closure includes Stark Mountain Trail #58.

Forest Service law enforcement officials are requesting any information from anyone who was traveling on Interstate 90 on Thursday, August 8, 3:30 to 6 p.m. between Missoula and St. Regis and may have seen anything that seemed suspicious. To report something, call the Forest Service at 363-7108, 363-7124 or 406-494-0218.

The lightning-caused Rocky Point Fire on the Clearwater National Forest near Elk Meadows had reached 80 acres as of Monday and prompted closures from the South Fork Lolo Trailhead, southbound to the Forest Boundary. The closures will remain in effect until further notice. One hundred firefighters are assigned to this fire, which has been contained.

The 1500-acre Prospect Fire has been placed under a Type Il lncident Management Team from North Idaho. There are approximately 170 personnel assigned, with many more ordered. The fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain with limited road access. It is burning in an area between the Cedar Creek Road and Trout Creek Road, 12 miles southwest of Superior, near the Idaho-Montana border. The Trout Creek Road remains open with the speed limit reduced to 25 miles per hour. Eleven structures, mostly cabins and mining buildings, are in the vicinity of the fire, but no evacuations have been ordered. There was no estimate of containment at press time.

Sunday's heavy smoke layer from the 32,000-acre School Fire, burning in southeast Washington, began to disperse late Monday. No new starts were reported Monday on the Lolo National Forest. Forest Service officials remind everyone that the fire danger rating is at 'extreme' and new fire starts, especially in dry grass, will be very difficult to control.

Stage II fire restrictions have been in effect in Southwestern Montana, including Ravalli County, since one minute past midnight on August 5.

Under those restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire.
- Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
- From 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. it is prohibited to operate any internal combustion engine, welder, or acetylene or other torch with open flame, or explosives.
- Operating a motor vehicle off designated roads and trails.

These restrictions apply to any forested lands outside of designated city limits, regardless of ownership.

Schools respond to chemical query

By Michael Howell

Local wildlife rehabilitator Judy Hoy, who has documented many developmental malformations among area wildlife, raised questions at the last County Health Board meeting about the use of pesticides and herbicides at the valleyıs schools. Hoy complained specifically about an incident two years ago at the Corvallis School and more recently at the Stevensville School District that she believes were inappropriate and constitute a health hazard. Armed with a bundle of recent studies that question the safety of chemicals commonly used to fight weeds and insect pests, Hoy lodged a complaint about their use on school grounds.

Stevensville Maintenance Foreman, Jim Chisholm, said, at first, that the Stevensville School District did not use pesticides. But then he remembered a few years ago that some pesticide was applied on the school grounds to deal with an infestation of yellowjackets. Other than that, he could not remember the school using any pesticides. He said that the school does apply an herbicide along with its application of fertilizer in the spring and summer, but that he did not consider it harmful and said precautions were taken to ensure the safety of sensitive people.

Chisholm said that the herbicide, applied along with fertilizer, was safe to use according to the directions. He said that he uses it on his own lawn and would never use anything that he thought was harmful. He said that the professional applicators who apply the herbicide and fertilizer to the school lawns place flags to identify the area and warn sensitive people that it has been applied. He said that the spraying is done in the early morning hours, at 5 or 5:30 in the morning and that the grounds were safe to use after an hour.

Larry Bays, Chief of Maintenance at the Corvallis School District, said that his school's use of pesticides was very limited. In the last seven years Bays said the extent of bug spraying in the school district was the spraying of a milk-based organic pesticide for Box Elder bugs. This spraying took place on Friday evenings, which allowed all weekend for the pesticide to dissipate.

Bays said that the weed spraying in the district started five years ago and was much needed.

"We use a little bit of Roundup in the summer," said Bays. "We spray along fence lines mostly, we don't use a lot, and we usually hit it in June when school is out." Bays said that it was a dandelion problem that was most paramount and that spraying began three or four years ago. The first year, he said, the grounds and athletic fields were sprayed in July. But the second year it was sprayed the weekend before school was out. That was the year and the weekend that Judy Hoy attended a student function at the school and experienced a reaction to the chemicals. Since then, Bays said, the district has become more sensitive to people who may be more chemically sensitive than others and no spraying is done while school is in session.

Last year the the school grounds were sprayed at the end of June and early July. This year it was scheduled for August 8 and 9. This year, according to Bays, the budget is only 30 percent of what it has been in past years and the school is only spraying the fronts of buildings in "high profile areas" and none on the athletic fields. This is in part due to budget restraints and in part due to the success of the spraying program.

"The weeds were out of control here when I first came on board seven years ago," said Bays. "I needed to do something. I am not an expert and don't pretend to be. I rely on the experts. Judy Hoy wants no herbicide use. If she had an alternative, I would listen. I look for the least impact on people, but something has to be done about the weeds."

Judy Stevers, who with her husband Bud runs Pro Lawn Service out of Lolo, which does the lawn treatment at the Stevensville School, defended the use of chemical treatment for bugs and weeds. She said that the products which are used have been extensively tested by the EPA and are safe if used properly.

Stevers said that the herbicides used at the school are designed to affect weeds and not grasses, animals, or people. She said that an herbicide-treated lawn was safe to walk on after an hour or two and that spraying was scheduled around times that the place would not be in use. She said the sprayed areas are clearly marked to warn sensitive people. She said that after 10 days the herbicide was no longer even effective on weeds. She said that the grass that remains could even be used as compost.

"There are a lot of misconceptions about herbicides," said Stevers. "It is not a poison, except to certain targeted plants."

Stevers said that proper application was important. She said that she and her employees receive a lot of training and the chemicals must be approved not only by the EPA but by the state of Montana. She said that the chemicals were carefully mixed in the shop and a minimal amount was applied.

"Too much of anything can be harmful," said Stevers, "too much salt on a piece of land can render it sterile forever. Too much of anything can be detrimental." She said that misuse by unlicensed applicators and homeowners can give the industry a bad name.

"My husband's been spraying for 15 years. If it was that harmful wouldn't we have a lot of people in the industry ill?" said Stevers.

Victor School District does not use pesticides or herbicides, mainly due to the objections of Victor School Board member Michael Helling, according to Victor School Superintendent Orville Getz.

Although contacted last week for an account of their practices with regard to pesticide and herbicide use, the remaining valley school districts, Darby, Hamilton, and Florence, failed to respond by this week's publication deadline.