By JIM MANN/The Daily Inter Lake
Sen. Verdell Jackson, R-Kalispell, has been pondering Flathead County's road problems, and he recently came up with proposed remedies he will pursue in the upcoming legislative session.
He has had a bill drafted that would appropriate $100 million to the Montana Department of Transportation to be distributed to counties exclusively for high-priority county road improvements.
"A lot of that depends on how much of this so-called surplus we have," Jackson said. The most recent report from the Legislative Fiscal Division on Friday dropped the projected surplus estimate from $787 million to $287 million due to the faltering economy.
And many legislators expect the state's revenue forecasts to shrink in the months to come.
But Jackson still said he will pursue the measure because he thinks it is a growing infrastructure need.
"I'm finding that a lot of people think it's time to do something about our roads," he said.
Jackson is not talking about Flathead County residents alone; he discussed the matter this week with lawmakers from other parts of the state.
"People I'm talking to from Eastern Montana also think it's a good idea," he said.
Some legislators suggested that he revise the bill to include limitations to ensure that counties put the money toward actual road improvements rather than doing things such as expanding road department staffs.
"They would want to put some detail in there about how the money would be spent, because it is one-time money," Jackson said.
Flathead County Commissioner Joe Brenneman said the county's road department is looking for all the help it can get, with increasing complaints in recent years about dust and gravel road conditions.
"Obviously, I would be in favor of anything that would provide a revenue source for us to improve our roads," he said. "We certainly wouldn't turn down that money."
Jackson has another bill draft request that involves creating tax-increment finance district authority for counties as another tool for improving roads, but that measure still is being developed.
Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com
Abenaki
Ditto spage's comments. County officials do not seem to be interested in any innovative efforts to obtain funding. Hand wringing and "we have no money" seems to be the best they can do.
Spage
FedUp: I understand your sentiments on this. I prefer a nice quiet gravel road but if the traffic volume plumes tons of dust a remedy is in order. Some folks who purchased a home on a gravel road could not have anticipated the impact of the expanding traffic on their gravel road resulting in deteriorating dust and road conditions.
Spage
Mr. Dupont has an opportunity to take a strong leadership role in the road maintenance issue. Although he apparently came out against doing much with the dusty road problem maybe he will rethink this. If he could now partner with Mr. Lauman and Mr. Brenneman (who has come out in support of remedies for roads) the three could demonstrate real leadership. To begin assembling assistance from the state and federal government would be a feather in their caps. It would be a positive "change" in leadership.
Spage
mtnman: Yes, it can be messy. An systematic review of the roads needs to take place. An emphasis on the heavily used roads and funding sources for those roads needs to take place. At least one road in the county, the North Fork Road, is impacted by a whole lot more than the residents because it is the only real artery on the west side of Glacier Park and provides access to all the public lands. So there should be state and federal funds to deal with that problem. There are other roads in the county that are heavily impacted by non-resident traffic. Finding a solution for these should be sourced county wide. Some roads are more impacted by the residents. Perhaps on these a "local" funding source must be found. It is not a one approach fits all solution for all county roads. Perhaps Verdell Jackson can begin getting cooperation from the county commissioners and have a sincere push at the state and federal level.
Abenaki
photoguy: You're lack of faith in Dupont is well founded. He's the guy who feels people should move if they don't like road dust. He also criticized a study by two U of M professors from the Environmental Sciences school and termed it "flawed at best." He then claimed to have done his own research but when challenged to present proof of his findings he failed to respond. He's a fraud back in the limelight he missed since leaving the sheriff's office. He'll 'ride the range' with his good ol' boy buddies and accomplish nothing in the best interests of Flathead County.
mtboat
Jeez, get a rope. I have lived in Wyoming. Just happen to love it here. The only wolves I have encountered were in Trego, or the Swan, or the Northfork By "us in Montana", you must mean some of us in Montana. I know quite a few that would say no more federal "help" that comes with price. I am rather surprised at Verdell Jackson. Still think highly of him though.
Abenaki
Spage: Actually, the county is in violation of the law in addition to standards. The Clean Air Act of Montana is the law requiring control of dust on public roads and the Administrative Rules of Montana are the standards established by the Department of Environmental Quality. Hope you are right regarding Dupont. One would think a former sheriff has some respect for the law. Maybe.
Spage
It is refreshing to see a representative concerned enough about this problem they are willing to explore some remedies. It takes guts to tackle the difficult issues. Thank you to Sen. Jackson for pursuing this.