CounterPunch Exclusives

CounterPunch Exclusives

The Forest Service Cannot Cut the Public Out of Determining the Future of Holland Lake Lodge

Holland Lake. Photo: US Forest Service.

Holland Lake Lodge is located on public land in the Flathead National Forest in western Montana. Yet the Forest Service is effectively cutting the public out of how and for whom public lands and dollars will be used with its proposal to rebuild the privately-operated Lodge’s sewage system. Forest Supervisor Anthony Botello determined the multi-million dollar rebuild is a “Categorical Exemption” under the National Environmental Policy Act, which greatly curtails public involvement and environmental review.

This is not a small project and could expose Holland Lake – a pristine mountain lake near the Bob Marshall Wilderness – to sewage contamination if the system fails. Botello wants to expand the capacity of the wastewater treatment pond at Holland Lake by five times so the new private business managing Holland Lake Lodge can make more money. Botello won’t say how much our bill........

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