Flathead Wild & Scenic River plan should focus on wildlife and wild character

When John and Frank Craighead and friends floated the majestic Flathead nearly seven decades ago, their experience on the remote and rarely traveled river inspired the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. As with most land, water, and wildlife issues, protections began with recreationists who could see beyond their own interests. We protect what we love, and we love what we know and experience most deeply.

Today, the Craigheads would recognize the upper sections of the forks of the Flathead, which still retain that character as the quintessential wild and scenic rivers, but might not recognize the lower sections, which are now heavily used.