About the Flathead Coalition

History & Mission

Concerned that a giant coal mine might be dug just six miles northwest of Glacier National Park would pollute the North Fork of the Flathead River, Wayne Herman founded the Flathead Coalition in 1974. Its mission was simple and clear: zero pollution of the North Fork.

The Coalition's efforts roused both American and Canadian citizens to powerful political purpose, generating a chorus of concern that resulted in the Flathead River Basin Environmental Impact Study, the creation of the Flathead Basin Commission, and the Flathead reference to the International Joint Commission. The IJC's study board reported that the proposed mine would harm the environment and recommended that the mine not be developed.

Another Victory -- and a New Threat

When the Cline Mining Corporation announced early in 2004 that it had acquired the coal leases for the area and planned to begin mining in less than two years, the Coalition reacted swiftly and effectively, noting that the mine was no more acceptable than before. Montana's elected officials helped raise the alarm. Faced with another bitter battle over a bad idea that never seemed to go away, British Columbia's government pulled the leases out from under Cline Mining's stunned executives.

Plans for the Sage Creek mine have been derailed, but equally grandiose plans for extracting coalbed methane from the valley of the North Fork and adjacent environs are on track and picking up steam. The Coalition's work remains clear and unfinished -- and once again, its members have marshalled themselves to keep our waters clean.

Directors & Officers

		Richard Kuhl • President 867 N. Main Street Kalispell, MT 59901 Landline: 406-257-5793 kuhlpan@cyberport.net
		Rose Schwennesen • Vice President P.O. Box 1199 Bigfork, MT 59911 rosietheriveter@montanasky.us
		Steve Thompson • Secretary Treasurer PO Box 4471 Whitefish, MT 59937 sthompson@npca.org
		Wayne Herman • Founder 573 2nd Avenue, WN Kalispell, MT 59901 doewayne@montanasky.net
		John Frederick 80 Beaver Drive Polebridge, MT 59928 John@nfhostel.com
		Robert Love 4790 Blankenship Rd. Columbia Falls, MT 59912 rlove@kalispell.net
		Dan Short 215 Segiah Way Kalispell, MT 59901 Dan_short@ml.com
		David Thomas PO Box 1677 Fernie, BC V0B 1M0 Canada david.thomas@lastbestwest.com
		James Steele, Jr. P.O. Box 278 Pablo, MT 59855 Work 406-675-2700, Home 406-726-2455 james_steele_jr@hotmail.com