Two major Flathead Valley recreation and conservation projects – one at the north shore of Flathead Lake near Somers and the other near the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company facility – have recently taken key steps toward approval. Both projects involve Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a major partner.

The Somers Beach project would create permanent recreational access to Flathead Lake through sale of private land currently owned by the Sliter family. The proposed project would create a new state park on Flathead Lake’s north shore. FWP has released an environmental assessment proposing to purchase the Somers Beach property owned by the Sliter family, and comments are being accepted thru Sept. 12. Here’s a link where you can comment.

The Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project received initial approval from the Fish and Wildlife Commission to purchase and conserve 800 acres at CFAC along the Flathead River, and manage the property as a designed FWP Wildlife Management Area. The conditional approval gives FWP and FLT, as project leaders,  a two-year window to pursue needed funding to complete the project.

Both projects enjoy strong community support. (Photos: Left, Somers Beach. Right, Bad Rock Canyon