holland lake

The U.S. Forest Service could be fined as much as $10,000 a day for violations related to leaks and unreported, unapproved repairs at the wastewater treatment system at Holland Lake, according to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.

Arlene Montgomery writes, "Bull trout are in a precarious situation in the Swan Valley, non-native lake trout and mysis shrimp pose a threat in Holland Lake. Lack of clean water shouldn't be another hazard they have to navigate."

The letter DEQ wrote in association with the announcement spells out just how serious the sewage violations are.

Holland Lake Lodge dates back to 1925, when the Forest Service issued a permit for a summer resort to include “a main building 40 by 60 feet in size, and a number of cabins for individual use,” according to press reports at the time.

With the Flathead National Forest considering a special-use permit for a controversial project at Holland Lake, Missoula County is asking the federal agency to include a provision requiring the developer to comply with local building and land-use policies.

Lucy Dayton writes, "So much for being objective as a public land steward and listening to the American public, who recognize Holland Lake and public lands as a crucial corridor for wildlife."

Locals are pressuring the U.S. Forest Service to assign the responsibility of reviewing a Holland Lake Lodge permit to someone other than the Flathead National Forest supervisor.

A group opposed to expansion of the Holland Lake Lodge is asking why a mobile home trailer is still on the lodge property a month after the Flathead National Forest ordered it removed.

Jacole Johnson writes, "You’ve created a movement of folks who will fight to ensure the public land at Holland Lake can be enjoyed by generations of Montanans to come."

After discovering that the Flathead National Forest has allowed an out-of-state corporation to make some changes to the Holland Lake Lodge property, three watchdog groups have warned the Forest Service that it’s breaking federal law.