The Daily Inter Lake

Glacier National Park has released an environmental assessment aimed at a large-scale removal of non-native lake trout from Quartz Lake.

The assessment is available for public review for the next month.

Until recently, Quartz Lake was the largest of the park's westside lakes that had not been invaded by lake trout. A fish barrier was installed downstream in 2004, but lake trout were detected in the lake a year later.

The park's action alternative proposes surveying the lake with radio telemetry to size up the population and learn how the 869-acre lake is being used for spawning. It also proposes netting with a motorized boat.

The comment period ends June 29. The assessment is available, and comments can be submitted online, at:

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/parkHome.cfm?parkId=61