Avalanche hazard reduction by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest, Montana - Draft Environmental Impact Statement
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, National Park Service, Department of the Interior, Flathead National Forest, National Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Montana State Department of Transportation. 2006. Avalanche hazard reduction by Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway in Glacier National Park and Flathead National Forest, Montana - Draft Environmental Impact Statement. NPS D-522. National Park Service, Glacier National Park. West Glacier, Montana
Environmental impact assessment of a proposal by BNSF railroad to use explosive as avalanche hazard reduction in Glacier National Park adjacent to US Highway 2 between railroad mileposts 1159 and 1164. Four alternatives are presented and analyzed: a) no action; b) BNSF constructs less than 1 mile of snowshed and no explosive use is permitted (preferred); c) BNSF allowed limited explosive use for a period up to 10 years upon a committment by BNSF to construct recommended snowsheds; and d) BNSF proposal to use explosives (including military artillery) inside the park indefinitely for avalanche hazard reduction and includes the extension of two snowsheds. Explosive use for avalanche control would be an unprecedented action in Glacier. NPS concerns include impacts to park values, winter wildlife habitat, T&E species, natural sound, and recommended wilderness. BNSF concerns are interruption of rail service resulting from avalache-related closure of the rail line.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, National Park Service, Department of the Interior; Flathead National Forest, National Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Montana State Department of Transportation
- Date of Issue
- 2006-10
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Glacier National Park
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- avalanche hazard, Environmental Impacts, john stevens canyon, Railroad, Transportation, us highway two