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On Jan. 22, another five-hour Flathead National Forest management planning meeting was held in Kalispell, involving about 80 local people in person, with some other “snowbirds” teleconferencing in from as far away as Nashville, Tenn.

We were split into two groups: those with an agenda to use the national forest for recreational motorized vehicle access mixed in with wilderness designation recommendations; and timber industry foresters representing logging interests mixed in with environmentalists protecting fish and wildlife as the principle occupants of forest areas as their habitat. This was a strange way to divide the two groups, and confusing to most attendees. A Flathead County Commissioner was in attendance for each group.

Once again, as for previous meetings, Meridian Institute personnel were present to facilitate an organized, collaborative effort under contract with the National Forest Service, in order to assure an amicable, civil discourse by all attendees.