View of Swan Range
Double Your Money Today with Cinnabar's Match!
Which encounter do you prefer when you are hiking?

1. Click here today to help us secure quiet habitat for fish, wildlife and people - and your donation will be matched by Cinnabar Foundation!

2. Click here and hit the Kudos Hands to let Cinnabar know you appreciate their support of our work!

3. Click here to sign up for Cinnabar's Conserve Montana e-news and a chance to win a buckskin vest by Buckskin Clothier, a pair of Kenetrek Boots or a pair of Red Ants Pants!

Unlike years past, WE MUST RAISE $4,000 PRIOR TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON to meet our Cinnabar Challenge Grant - so ACT NOW to see your donation matched by Cinnabar!

Swan View Coalition has secured quiet habitat for fish, wildlife and people by getting hundreds of miles of forest roads and trails closed to motorized vehicles - but motorcycles continue to abuse the Swan Crest both on and off authorized trails.

So let's get together and protect the entire Swan Range!

Please join the hundreds of other folks that support our work through letter-writing and monetary donations!

Together we can make a big difference!

This article published on September 14, 2012 • [Permalink]


Help Stop Motorcycle Abuse of the Swan Crest!
Motorcycle illegally crossing the outlet of Lamoose Lake, 8/18/12.

Motorcycles again this summer were captured in video and photos operating illegally off-trail near Lamoose Lake, as well as causing deep rutting of Alpine Trail #7 where their use is currently allowed.

Read on to see photos and video of this damaging activity and for a link to email your complaint to the Forest Service.

It's high time to get motorcycles out of the high alpine country along the Swan Crest!


(Read Full Article)

This article published on September 06, 2012 • [Permalink]


Show Cinnabar Foundation Your Support in Seconds!

Please take a few seconds to let Cinnabar Foundation know you appreciate its support of Swan View Coalition's work:

1. Go to Cinnabar Foundation's ConserveMontana.org.

2. Hit the Give Kudos button near the top center of the page, by the little hands icon!

It's that simple, but very important!

Also remember that Cinnabar has again in 2012 issued us a $4,000 challenge/matching grant, meaning Cinnabar will essentially double your donation to Swan View Coalition.

So why not double your money by making a secure on-line donation today!

Thanks for your show of support for our work!

PS - While you're at ConserveMontana.org, take a few moments to check out the other fine work and groups Cinnabar supports - it's impressive!

This article published on July 04, 2012 • [Permalink]


Please Speak Up for Non-Lethal Cone Collection Again!

Thanks to folks like you, 97% of the comments received by the Flathead National Forest were opposed to felling the best larch trees just to collect the cones for nursery seed. Most suggested non-lethal alternatives such as climbing the trees or using helicopters and lift trucks to fetch the cones.

The Flathead has revised its proposal to consider the use of lift trucks, but it fails to require the use of lift trucks or other non-lethal methods! In fact, other non-lethal methods are not even discussed in the new proposal!

Your email comments on the new proposal are needed by July 7 to once again send a clear message to the Flathead that the public does not want the Forest Service killing the goose that laid the golden egg!

Please send an email today to Marsha Moore at comments-northern-flathead@fs.fed.us . Tell her you want non-lethal cone collection methods to be REQUIRED, and that they may include an array of options such as traditional tree climbing, lift trucks and helicopters. Killing our best larch trees, no matter how few or many, is simply not necessary!

You can read the June 5 revised cone collection proposal here.

You can read Swan View's comments on the revised proposal here.

You can read the Forest Service's own description of various non-lethal cone collection methods here.

You can read a success story of the Forest Service collecting cones by traditional tree climbing here. 

You can read our alert on the Flathead's initial cone collection proposal here.

This article published on June 27, 2012 • [Permalink]


Big Creek Restoration: The Rest of the Story

The Winter-Spring 2012 issue of Swan View's News describes the interplay of science, litigation, politics, and collaboration in the restoration of the Big Creek watershed on the Flathead National Forest.

You'll want to read this issue cover-to-cover if you'd like to know why citizen advocacy and litigation are so often necessary to give voice to the needs of fish, wildlife and people!

Winter-Spring 2012 Swan View's News (pdf).

This article published on May 30, 2012 • [Permalink]


Comment on Flathead Mountain Bike Proposals NOW!
Jerry Sprunger Cartoon

Public comments are due May 31, 2012, on Flathead National Forest proposals for new downhill fee-ride mountain bike trails and races!

We've asked the Flathead to keep all new free-ride bike trails confined to the developed portions of Big Mountain and to redirect all mountain bike race proposals there. This would keep thrill-seeking, high-speed biking and its inevitable conflicts with wildlife and other trail users from spreading across the Forest.

Please send a quick email to comments-northern-flathead-tally-lake@fs.fed.us today! Comments are due May 31, 2012.

You can read our comment letter here, which includes accounts of bikers being mauled or rammed by wildlife!

You can read about the Flathead's proposal for another high-speed downhill mountain bike trail on Big Mountain here.

You can read about the Flathead's proposal to authorize mountain bike racing elsewhere on the Tally Lake Ranger District here.

Please take a few moments and send that email NOW!

This article published on May 29, 2012 • [Permalink]


Help Save Big Larch Trees Today!

Flathead National Forest wants to cut down 270 of its genetically best, big larch trees simply to collect their cones for seed one time, rather than pick the cones or drop select branches to the ground!

Please write a short email or letter today and urge the Flathead to use time-proven, non-lethal methods to collect larch cones and seed for its nurseries!

See here and at right how the Ochoco National Forest uses a lift truck to pick larch cones and lets the trees live to see another day and another generation!

The Flathead has no shortage of big larch trees along roads at various elevations and microclimates to suit its genetic selection process - and there remain plenty of non-lethal options where a lift truck cannot be used!

Tell the Flathead to let 270 of America's best 2-foot diameter larch trees live on to spread their seed for future generations in the wild - and for nursery seed collection in the future!

Email Marsha Moore at memoore@fs.fed.us, phone her at 406-758-5325, or mail her at Flathead National Forest, 650 Wolfpack Way, Kalispell, MT 59901.

Comments must be submitted by April 16, 2012.

Read Swan View Coalition's comment letter here.

Read Flathead National Forest's press release here.

Learn more about the collection of tree seed than you ever wanted to know here. The meat is on pages 32-34 (PDF pages 39-41)!

This article published on March 26, 2012 • [Permalink]


Protect Non-Motorized Trails and Wildlife Today!

Please write a short email today to support the establishment of two non-motorized trails in the Lakeside-Blacktail area (there currently are none) - and to stop damaging motorized vehicles from using roads closed to protect elk and other forest resources (there are already over 130 miles of road open to motor vehicles)!

Your comments in 2009, along with those from Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, have convinced the Forest Service to not reopen closed roads in key elk security areas on the east and west slopes of Blacktail Mountain and in proposed non-motorized trail areas (as it would in its Alternative B). But it still wants to reopen to motorized vehicles 21 miles of road previously closed to protect wildlife, and to build steep connector trails similar to the one below between them (Alt. C)!

Swan View Coalition's comment letter was crafted to be consistent with MDFWP's recommendations for protection of elk and other resources.

Please support establishment of the Foys to Blacktail and Lakeside to Blacktail non-motorized trails and, if you agree with our letter, support the implementation of our proposed Alternative D!

Send your emails today, but certainly by March 22, to:

comments-northern-flathead-swan-lake@fs.fed.us

Be sure to include your name and mailing address so your email cannot be dismissed!

View our comment letter as a PDF.

You can view the Forest Service documents and maps at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=22659

Elk and other wildlife need your help to insure recreation is consistent with the protection of their, and your, habitat!

Please write a short note today, and Thanks!


(Read Full Article)

This article published on March 06, 2012 • [Permalink]


Stop Bad Border Bill Today!

Under the guise of "National Security and Federal Lands Protection," the Act by that name would do anything BUT protect federal lands!

Indeed, Act co-sponsor Denny Rehberg brags the Act will allow the Border Patrol to re-open roads other agencies have rightly closed to motor vehicles in order to protect water quality, fish and wildlife. Rehberg falsely claims people cannot hunt, fish or hike on roads closed to motor vehicles! Read Rehberg's claims here.

HR 1505 would exempt Customs and Border Protection agents from 36 laws written to protect the public, its lands, and its fish and wildlife within 100 miles of the US-Canada and US-Mexico borders. (Including the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act)!

Rehberg's promotion of the Act appears to use the Border Patrol to undo environmental protections and expand access for ATVs and other motor vehicles, ignoring the clear fact that such access makes drug smuggling, poaching and other illegal activities easier.


(Read Full Article)

This article published on December 14, 2011 • [Permalink]


Holidays 2011 Newsletter

The Holidays 2011 issue of Swan View's News reports we can voluntarily treat roadless lands as Wilderness, build on existing support for Congressional Wilderness designations, renew the public pledge to "Tread Lightly" and "Leave no Trace," and conduct volunteer Wilderness-compliant trail maintenance in order to walk the talk!

Holidays_2011e.pdf

This article published on November 10, 2011 • [Permalink]


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Logging Road Landslide
Logging road landslide into Sullivan Creek bull trout habitat! Keith Hammer photo.

What's New
Oppose the 1000-person-per-hour Tram Proposed for Columbia Mountain! October 03, 2026

The giant Pursuit corporation is asking the Flathead National Forest to permit its building of a 1000-person-per-hour tram on your public land from Hungry Horse to a high ridge on Columbia Mountain! Tell the Forest Supervisor today to dismiss this proposal outright, as his predecessor did with a more limited proposal in 2023!

Summer Newsletter: Apocalypse Now - The Trump Version! September 08, 2026

Our Summer newsletter reports on Trump's broad-scale attack on the environment, what we are doing about it, and what you can do to help!

Lawsuit Filed Against Trump's Trashing of Endangered Species Habitats! July 15, 2026

Swan View Coalition has joined a lawsuit opposing the Trump administration's attempt to repeal protection of threatened and endangered species habitat!

Winter-Spring Newsletter: The Empire Strikes Back and So Do We! June 09, 2026

Our Winter-Spring newsletter reports on Trump administration efforts to convince you the only healthy forest is a logged forest and how we are fighting back with lawsuits like the one we just filed against the West Reservoir logging and road building project! 

Groups File Lawsuit Against West Reservoir Logging Project! June 05, 2026

Swan View Coalition and Friends of the Wild Swan on June 5 filed a lawsuit against the federal government for approving the Flathead National Forest's West Reservoir logging and road building project without completing interagency consultation required under the Endangered Species Act.

Your Comments Needed Now to Prevent 5-Fold Expansion of Holland Lake Lodge Sewer! March 24, 2026

Your comments are needed today to prevent the 5-fold expansion of the private Holland Lake Lodge sewer at public expense!

Your Comments Needed Now on Draft Flathead River Plan! February 26, 2026

Your comments are needed now to stop the commercial overcrowding of the Flathead's Wild and Scenic Rivers!

Your Comments Needed Now on Massive Logging and Burning Project! January 06, 2026

Your comments are needed by January 15 on a 68,000 acre logging and burning project along the Middle Fork Flathead River, including the Wild and Scenic River corridor, roadless lands, and proposed Wilderness areas!

Holidays Newsletter: Staying the Course in 2025! December 09, 2025

Our Holidays Newsletter reports on 2025 accomplishments, how our members have helped accomplish them, the joy and beauty of our Swan Ranger reports, and how you can oppose Trump's gutting of the Endangered Species Act in a matter of minutes!

Fall Newsletter: Staying Positive in Negative Times! October 23, 2025

Our Fall Newsletter reports on the Forest Service turned politically partisan, Big Tech gobbling up public resources, progress on road closure monitoring, how we can turn lemon impediments into lemonade, and our upcoming membership meeting November 16!

Summer Newsletter: Citizen Oversight and Sound Public Policy a Must! September 03, 2025

Our Summer Newsletter reports on two citizen oversight victories, asks you to comment on Trump's plan to rescind roadless land protections by Sept 19, and announces Keith Hammer has been given FWN's 2025 “Activist of the Year Award!”

Your Comments to DNRC Made a Difference and We Need Them Again! June 09, 2025

Your comments convinced DNRC to save this hemlock forest in Krause Basin. We need to hold DNRC to its new promise that it won't log hemlock forests south of Krause Basin either!

Winter-Spring Newsletter: Shutting the Public Out of Public Lands Management! May 30, 2025

Our Winter-Spring Newsletter describes how the Trump administration is ordering a 25% increase in Forest Service logging and furthering the agency's efforts to shut the public and the courts out of the public land management process!

Your Comments Needed BY MAY 14 on Holland Lake Lodge 20-Year Permit! April 28, 2025

Your comments are needed BY MAY 14 as the Forest Service attempts to grant new owners of Holland Lake Lodge a 20-year permit to occupy public lands - without first revealing what they intend to do there!

Your Comments Needed on East Valley Logging Project! March 17, 2025

Your comments are needed by April 6 on a logging project proposed all along the Swan Range from Columbia Falls to Swan Lake!

Your Comments Needed on Flathead River Plan! January 30, 2025

Your comments are needed today to stop the commercial overcrowding of the Flathead's Wild and Scenic Rivers!

Swan View Report Shows Forest Service Slow to Fix Ineffective Road Closures! December 24, 2024

Swan View Coalition has issued a new report showing the Forest Service is slow and inept at repairing its ineffective road closures and is grossly underreporting the percentage of its closures that are likely ineffective!

Holidays Newsletter: Giving Thanks in 2024 but Looking Hard at 2025! November 19, 2024

Our Holidays Newsletter gives thanks for what we've accomplished in 2024, but looks hard at the challenges posed in 2025!

Fall Newsletter: Krause Basin Update and Annual Meeting! October 21, 2024

Our Fall newsletter provides a quick update on activities in Krause Basin, announces our annual membership meeting, and offers you the last chance to have your donation doubled by Cinnabar Foundation!

Summer Newsletter: Back to the Future with Two Big Wins! July 31, 2024

Our Summer newsletter details two recent victories on the Flathead National Forest for wildlife, in court and on-the-ground!