A revisit of the Havre-Fort Belknap EIS

It’s all about the economy and enhancing the economic viability of communities in the Highway 2 Corridor.

The Highway 2 Association is the voice that’s been advocating for 4 For 2, an adequate transportation system, which is the prerequisite for economic development. It’s a given, 80 percent of business locates in or near communities that have a four-lane highway or better.

One of the road blocks in realizing the association’s mission has been the environmental impact study in the logical termini, Havre to Fort Belknap. The study, completed in 2004, only supported an improved two-lane highway, which constrains any highway designs into perpetuity.

As a result Havre, and the Hi-Line will never be able to compete for business that is looking to locate, relocate or expand.

The economy of Havre and the Hi-Line will not grow appreciably so long as there exists constraints like those prescribed in the EIS.

It is for that reason that we are asking for a revisit of the EIS, with a repeal or modification of the flawed study.

It is my contention that the conclusions were predetermined. I can say that because I was totally involved in the study from start to finish. I wish I had more space to elaborate, however, it would take about six hours to walk thru the final EIS report. I have offered to review the document, including with MDT, however, no takers.

With that in mind and in keeping with the Highway 2 Association mission, it’s an absolute, a revisit of the EIS is a must.

Therefore, we have asked local officials to approve a letter asking for a meeting with MDT to discuss a revisit or modification of the EIS.

We were disappointed that the Havre City Council would not support our meeting request with MDT, which would allow for a vetting and discussion of issues associated with the EIS.

The council does not support the Highway 2 Association’s mission for 4 For 2 and growing the Havre–Hi-line economy.

They chose instead to prevent public discourse at a public forum involving MDT. One can only conclude that the council harbors a no-growth policy.

I have asked, and I hope the public will also, “If the Council doesn’t support 4 For 2, that would allow Havre and the Hi-line to grow, what then is their plan?” All I ever get is a stare.

Growing Havre’s economy is vital, lest we forget the City Council had a ballot measure in 2014 to increase local taxes by $200 per $100,000 of home value, but it was voted down.

I explained, “It’s not that the people don’t support improving and upgrading the streets and utilities, the new tax proposal was rejected because Havre’s economy is barely growing, people are hurting and are challenged just to make ends meet.”

I offered a solution, construct 4 For 2 and grow the economy, which will help expand the tax base and in turn, will generate new income for local government coffers.

That’s the solution, and from what I have observed in my many years of involvement, I assert that the people agree with that concept. I’m confident that we can change some minds on the City Council, if the people become engaged and make their wishes known.

In conclusion, I would be remiss if I didn’t share the reasons why I’m so bullish on Havre and the Hi-Line as well as the No. 2 Corridor overall.

I have not, in my lifetime, seen the opportunities that exist now.

Northern Montana sits at the gateway to three of the strongest economies in North America: Alberta, Saskatchewan and North Dakota. It’s what I refer to as the Golden Economic Region of North America.

I have crunched the numbers in a report, and they are impressive. The region is home to more than 7 million people and enjoys an estimated $600 billion gross domestic product.

The region is about energy, agriculture and tourism. It has what the rest of the world wants and needs. If the region will but develop and market its resources, it will be a major economic force.

A study that looked at the capacity of the railroad and Highway 2 in the great northern corridor to accommodate future economic growth found that the corridor from Seattle to Chicago and Rochester, New York, serves some 40 million people and enjoys a $2.5 trillion GDP.

Sadly, Montana’s Highway 2 is the only segment that is not four lanes, yet it’s that connectivity between east and west. Even more disturbing is that if the Havre-Fort Belknap EIS is not repealed or modified it will be that major bottleneck that impedes commerce and trade in the entire corridor.

Cordially,

Bob Sivertsen

——

Editor’s note: Members of City Council Monday expressed concern that reopening the EIS would delay work already planned between Havre and Fort Belknap on U.S. Highway 2, and that Sivertsen had not brought any new information to back up reopening the EIS.