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Written by Chuck Erickson

Chuck Erickson

The dam is officially gone and the cleanup is well over half done on the Clark Fork. The Blackfoot portion of the river is mostly done. There are a few issues left to deal with: the mill hot pond, logs, cleanup of a hundred years of garbage. Within a year the EPA will be turning over the keys to the State’s restoration team. Now we are starting the restoration phase of the process, both in the community and the river.

In the memory of our people, the dam and reservoir had always been there so it is natural people were and are still divided over the removal of the old dam. They probably always will be. But now it’s time to start the beginnings of the healing, both in the river and the community. It’s time for seriously preparing for the future. The river is starting to find its way back to where it wants to be. It’s moving its cobbles and sediments along and relocating them here and there where it wants and needs them in its slow movements towards the sea. It’s redistributing seeds and plants along its shores and it’s healing the damage and covering the scars made by man. We are making some subtle changes on the banks to make it possible for people to enjoy the rivers but the rivers are getting back to what rivers have done since the beginning of time. We as a community need to patch our scars and prepare for the changes in the future.

I see signs of the community healing too. From the uprooting and division of the community two good things came to be, the Redevelopment Working Group and the Community Council. Both organizations are made up of volunteers interested in what’s best for their community. They are still learning what their missions are and how to best do them. They are the two hands charged by the County Commissioners with the task of shoveling out the best direction for restoring the community and guiding its future. They are still learning to work together. One hand doesn’t work the shovel very good but two working together utilizing the skills in each for the common good can get a lot of work done efficiently. Examples are the Black Bridge and the walking and equestrian trails.
I think by doing that, we as a community can move forward in healing and adjusting our cobbles and depositing our seeds and plants in our environment on our slow inevitable trip to the future.

In May the community will get to vote for two new members to the Community Council and two school board members. Remember to do your part, go down to the school May 5 and vote not only for the new council members and school board members, but to support your school, the heart of the community.

Not voting is the same as giving your vote to someone whose opinion you do not share!

—Chuck Erickson