Drought and fire hamper park cattle revenue

Last year’s drought, compounded by 1,200 acres burned by the East Fork Fire, dealt a significant blow to Beaver Creek Park cattle revenue, the park superintendent said Monday.

Superintendent Chad Edgar presented to the Hill County Park Board Monday night during its monthly meeting cattle grazing revenue numbers for last year and previous years dating back to 2008. The park made $66,592 in 2017, the lowest amount since 2011. In 2016, the park generated $84,275, and before that $85,562 off cattle grazing.

“The fire had a big effect,” board co-chair Larry Kinsella said.

Lou Hagener added that while the fire burned 1,200 acres, the drought touched the entire park.

Edgar said he was happy to announce the park had been approved to receive $20,000 from the Hill County Conservation District to use for fire-related repairs.

“It was awesome that this fell into our laps,” he said.

The grant is reimbursable. The park will spend the money on repairs, submit a plan and then be reimbursed for it, Edgar said.

Talk of what to do with the timber that was burned by the East Fork Fire is getting closer to a decision. Edgar said Montana State University Extension forestry specialist Peter Kolb, Ph.D., who co-taught a workshop in December in the Timmons Room of the Hill County Courthouse, has agreed to come to Havre and consult Edgar about the timber that was burned.

Edgar’s main concern, as well as members of the public who’ve attended meetings, has been the intrusive-related damage logging companies may cause if they log on the park. The potential damage caused by bulldozers, and other equipment, on the park will have to be weighed against the benefits, Edgar said. Ideally, it would be nice if new roads wouldn’t have to be created, some board members said.

Board member Renelle Braaten has been talking about forming a natural resources committee for the last few meetings. At issue, Braaten has said, is that it is too much to expect Edgar to do the research on all things related to the park’s natural resources — such as soil erosion, water protection and weeds.

“We wanna keep the park healthy,” Braaten said, adding that a natural resources committee would help do that.

Cabin owner Todd Hanson, and Hagener, both agreed the committee would be a good idea. Hanson said the topic comes back to a 50-year “rub” between stockgrowers and recreationist.

Board members Tony Reum and June Grabofsky, as well as Hill County Commissioner Diane McLean were some of those opposed to the natural resource committee. There are already enough committees, McLean said. Grabofsky said the park is already being taken care and there’s no need for another committee.

Another common rebuke to the concept of another committee has been that the grazing and haying committee already takes care of a lot of what Braaten is proposing with the natural resources committee. Braaten has said there is more to natural resources than hay and grass on the park.