The Best of Montana — The North Fork of the Flathead

Protecting the best of Montana

National parks have been called America’s “best idea,” and Glacier National Park is one of the greatest examples. The millions of people who flock to Glacier every year to enjoy the park’s endless winding trails, breathtaking Going-to-the-Sun Road, and crystal clear waters are living proof.

At risk: clean water, wildlife

Glacier's more than 1 million acres of forests, alpine meadows and lakes provide habitat for rare and endangered species such as grizzly bears, bald eagles, mountain lions and wolverines.

But our national treasure is at risk: The park is threatened by oil and gas drilling just outside its boundaries in the Flathead River Valley. The Flathead River boasts some of the cleanest, most pristine water in the world; drilling would pollute this water, harming wildlife inside and outside the park and damaging the recreation industries that rely on the river. 

With your activism and our advocacy, we can protect Glacier

Your activism and our advocacy are a powerful combination. Thanks in part to our efforts, Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester introduced the North Fork Watershed Protection Act of 2011, legislation that would permanently protect nearly 600,000 acres of the Montana portion of the North Fork watershed from all future mining and oil and gas drilling leases and development. 

We need to keep pushing to win

Environment Montana is working to show broad support from citizens and local officials to move the bill out of committee and encourage the administration to make protecting this place a priority. Now is the time to ensure the preservation of the places we love for future generations. Join our campaign by urging Sens. Tester and Baucus to do everything in their power to protect the North Fork watershed and Glacier National Park.