HomeMy WebLinkAboutClark's Camp - Boyd and Hart '2128 Thiel Road
Laurel, Montana 59044
August 31, 2'0'02
Agencies and Organizations involved with Clark's Camp:
Attached is the notice of a request for a permit for water and wastewater facilities
at Clark's camp and a letter outlining concerns that has been sent to neighbors in
the area of Clark's Camp.
It is our understanding that your agency or organization has been involved in some
way with the development of Clark's Camp. As concerned neighbors, we are
requesting that you share any information you have about Clark's Camp with Mr.
Kraft, with a copy to Betty Hart at the above address.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Boyd and Betty Hart
'Copies 'to:
Bud Johnson, Mayor of Laurel
Y ellO'WStt~a~ Co~t~ty
Cai C~n, Hannlug Director, Ci~ of ~el
~ Ro~on, Cobs'of En~ne~
Russell Roehefor~ Co~s of ~gineem
T~ Kyt~er, Y~bw~ C~ H~ ~
Jo~ Ostlund, Yellowstone Co~ RoM ~d Bridge Supe~isor
~t C~sfi.ans, M~ ~ Pt~
David Jaynes, B~
Jim ~ling, M~ D~t ~ F~ Wildlife ~d P~ks
Mile P~old, Montana P~ Association
2128 Thiel Road
Laurel, Montana 59044
August 31, 2002
Dear Neighbors,
Attached is the notice of a request for a permit'for water and wastewater i~acilities
at Clark's camp to support sleeping rooms, a general store and other commercial
facilities.
It is our understanding that the permitting process is designed to protect the river
and adjacent flood plain. We believe that no permit should be granted which may
endanger the river or adjacent lands or set a precedent that would weaken flood
plain protection or which may result in an additional cost burden for the County
and adjacent landowners.
In addition to the permit, we are aware of a number Of issues related to the Clark's
Camp Development that may or may not have been resolved.
1) Two actions which appear to affect the stability of Thiel Road have been
taken. Drainage culverts running under Thiel Road have been blocked
and an elevated road has been build which functions as a dike.
2) A channel has been dug from the Clark's Fork river to a pond on the
property.
3) As noted in the permit, the only permitted activity so far for Clark's
Camp is the yet to be built RV park and a caretaker room. Events
including overnight stays have taken place at the camp. It has been our
understanding that a permit was given to allow the structures to be built,
but Mr. Kraft does not mention that.
4) If Dr. and Mrs. Korb do intend to develop an RV park it is our
understanding that this process requires either review by the local
planning board and/or review and approval by the sub-division program
in Helena. As of July no plan had been submitted to the local planning
board.
5) Concrete slabs with tiles attached, protruding rebar, asphalt and metal
debris were still present on the riverbank line when inspected by the
Corps of Engineers on Sept. 28, 2001. The original letter ordering this
material to be removed was written by the Corps on May '28, 1999.
6) It is our understanding that an antique store has been established.
Although the zoning agreement for our area lists antique stores as a
permitted use in a commercial area, they are not listed as a permitted use
in the recreational area, which is how Clark's Camp is zoned.
7) We are wondering what the responsibility of government agencies would
be if the land were to flood and structures and or water systems were to
break or enter the river and how costly this might be for taxpayers.
8) We are wondering how the Flood Plain Administrator and the Montana
Department of Environmental Quality would monitor the compliance
with the permit if Korbs are allowed to build the requested water and
sewer system
These are some of the concerns that we will include in our letters. There may be
others which we are not aware of. We urge you to write or e-mail James Kraft
echoing whichever arguments you feel are most important, adding additional
information and expressing your feelings about granting this permit. They need to
be received by Mr. Kraft before September i3~. Please share t-h-is information with
anyone you think may be interested and any neighbor we may have missed.
Fred LeBeau (628-7200) may be developing a petition to be signed. Although
individual letters probably carry more weight, please contact Fred to sign the
petition if you are concerned and do not wish to Write a letter.
We have arranged a meeting wi'th the County Commissioners and Jim Kraft to
discuss the permit. The date has not yet been set, but if you would be interested in
attending, please call Betty (t528z2750) or Carolyn (628-8860) and we will let you
know when it will be.
It is our hope that the decision about this permit will be made based on safe and
lawful practices and if this development is allowed to go forward, that it will be
required to meet all pertinent laws and regulations.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Boyd and Betty Hart
Copies to: Jim ICa'aft, Floodplain Administrator
Yellowstone County Commissioners