Glacier National Park Seeks Comments on the Logan Creek Bridge Restoration Project

Date: August 13, 2007
Contact: Melissa Wilson, 406 888-7895

WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Officials at Glacier National Park seek scoping comments to identify concerns and other alternatives in preparation of an environmental assessment (EA) for the Logan Creek Bridge area along the west side of the Going-to-the Sun Road (Sun Road). Comments are due by September 10, 2007.

During a major storm in November 2006, numerous rocks, mud slides and flooding occurred on the west side of Glacier National Park, damaging the Sun Road. A large amount of debris came down Logan Creek, plugging the bridge and forcing water to re-route to the east, damaging the road. The road was repaired and the debris was cleared from underneath the bridge; however, a large amount of debris still remains in the creek. During a future flood event, it is likely the bridge will become blocked again.

Glacier National Park and the Federal Highway Administration are developing a number of alternatives that will be analyzed. At this time they include: enlarging the bridge, creek channelization and/or developing additional water conveyances on either side of the existing bridge. The significance of Logan Creek Bridge as one of the 17 features that contributed to the Sun Road’s listing as a national historic landmark; the presence of bull trout, a federally listed species; National Park Service policy regarding stream management; as well as the impacts that would occur with any of the alternatives are all factors which are prompting the park to conduct an EA for this project.

Scoping is an early part of the environmental process. This is an opportunity for the public or other agencies to provide any concerns and comments or to suggest any alternatives that should be considered in the EA. Once the EA has been written, it will also be distributed for public review and comment.

Comments can be provided directly through the park’s planning Web site (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkId=61) by selecting this project. Or write to: Superintendent, Glacier National Park, Attn: Logan Bridge EA, West Glacier, Montana 59936. Comments are due by September 10, 2007.

- NPS -