Protecting Our
Headwaters

 

The Flathead Lakers and their passionate partners defended Flathead headwaters from coal mine and coalbed methane proposals upstream in British Columbia.

Read more about the Lakers work on transboundary coal threats >

The threats facing the Flathead headwaters and watershed are still as serious. We continue to defend Flathead headwaters from new threats like oil transport through the Middle Fork Flathead River corridor. The Flathead Lakers advocates for the development of a comprehensive safety plan to protect our waters, natural heritage, and communities from the devastation of an oil train derailment.

Why should we care?

Up to 40 million gallons of Bakken crude oil are being transported through the Middle Fork Flathead River corridor each week.

Between 2000 and 2012, 37 freight trains derailed in this corridor.

An explosion or fire from an oil train derailment in summer could ignite a firestorm in Glacier National Park and the Great Bear Wilderness Area.

Flathead Lake is one of the largest, cleanest lakes in the populated world. Its 6 million acre watershed is one of our nation's most pristine and scenic areas. A spill would change the lake forever.

A derailment and oil spill in the Middle Fork corridor would have disastrous long-term impacts on:

  • people, their livelihoods, our communities, and our local economy,

  • clean water,

  • fish and wildlife and their habitat, and

  • scenic vistas and recreation opportunities that draw people from around the nation and world.

Read: Is the Flathead ready for an oil spill?

What can we do?

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Join the Flathead Lakers. We have a stronger voice with more members.

Add your name to the list of supporters for a prevention safety plan. You can take a stand for clean, healthy water in the Flathead watershed. CLICK HERE to check out the petition and sign to protect our wild and scenic river.

Follow Oil Safe Flathead and the Flathead Lakers on Facebook for more information and updates on the threat and consequences of an oil train derailment.

Advocate for policy, regulatory, and voluntary actions to ensure:

  • all oil tank cars meet higher safety standards,

  • slower speed limits for oil train traveling through sensitive areas, like the Middle Fork,

  • limits on the number of oil tank cars per train,

  • additional avalanche sheds in Glacier Park to reduce the chance of an avalanche-caused derailment, and

  • additional safety measures are in place.

Oil and Water Don’t Mix

Glacier National Park and the Flathead Watershed Under Threat

Learn about the threat of an oil train derailment and spill for the clean waters and unique landscapes of the Flathead Watershed in northwest Montana.