Flatbrimmer
Well-known member
I drove by the other day and seen a big sign and was meaning to ask you about it! Thanks for this! Let me know how I can help? No to the pit!For sure and for true. Recent property owner of tract on island just west of Gallatin Gateway has a floodplain permit to develop 16 acres mostly in the floodplain into fifty-eight (58!) glamping units with tents and Conestoga wagons and gas line and sewer line already run under the once pristine West Gallatin River ... what a catastrophic clusterflock! He dug a pit for a pond fed by a historic spring creek on the island and ignored the requirement for a 310 permit, asserting that the creek was a manmade ditch. Gallatin Conservation District held a hearing to declare jurisdiction and the developer challenged in District Court, lost, then lost again at Montana Supreme Court level. Recently, the Conservation District ordered him to apply for a 310 permit to fill in his pond/pit and restore the spring creek to original condition.
Four of us appealed the Gallatin County floodplain permit, arguing to no avail with frustration as the County Commission would not acknowledge errors in process and interpretation in allowing the floodplain permit for a "glampground", even though the term is not even defined in floodplain regulations. Gallatin County approval of this "catastrophic clusterflock" floodplain permit is now being challenged in District Court.
The real travesty is that had some of the higher property been developed reasonably employing property rights and a prudent wisely designed plan, he would already be realizing the commercial recreational property income he obviously seeks. But by the time he pays lawyer fees, engineer re-design, and contractor floodplain and stream restoration cost ... he will really be underwater!!! (pun intended). Plus, IMO, he will receive some bad news from District Court.
BTW, much of this property has been covered by flood waters previously.
If read this far, thanks for allowing my rant.