Flathead County’s spring load weight limits on county roads took effect Wednesday, but the commissioners remain undecided about whether to make an exception for Church Drive so heavy loads of anhydrous ammonia fertilizer can be delivered to West Valley farmers.

County Public Works Director Dave Prunty asked the commissioners to consider changing to weight limit on Church Drive from 350 to 400 pounds per inch of tire width for 3.8 miles between Prairie View and Farm to Market roads.

The Road Department tightened the load limit to the lighter 350 level last year not knowing Church Drive historically has been at the 400-pound level because of the fertilizer hauling, Prunty said. In the 1970s residents in that area provided material to the then-gravel road to accommodate heavier loads.

Prunty said a 2008 engineering study done for Church Drive notes the structural integrity of the road. The Road Department wasn’t aware of that study, however, when the load-limit change was made.

Commissioner Gary Krueger — one of the farmers affected by the weight limit on Church Drive — moved to restore the longstanding limit of 400 pounds per inch of tire width limit that would accommodate the fertilizer hauling. His motion died for lack of a second.

Commissioners Pam Holmquist and Phil Mitchell both maintained that if the county makes an exception for one industry, it would open the door to other exceptions. Several other industries such as logging, gravel hauling and well drilling are affected by the load limits imposed during spring breakup.

“I’ve told everyone we don’t make exceptions,” Holmquist stated.

She suggested the commissioners discuss the issue further with Deputy County Attorney Tara Fugina. As it stands right now, the commissioners will bring up the matter again “in a timely manner,” probably within the next few days.

Emotions were running high by the end of Wednesday’s hourlong discussion.

Mitchell faulted Krueger for not alerting county officials about the Church Drive issue months ago so the matter could be fully considered before a vote was taken on imposing the load limits. He also contended the affected farmers have the option of paying the $500 per load overweight fee to get their anhydrous ammonia delivered.

Krueger countered that such fees would be cost-prohibitive for farmers.

“Nobody is budgeted for an extra $8,000 to $10,000,” Krueger said, noting tight budgets and poor commodity prices.

“This is how an industry is destroyed,” he said. “It’s a prohibition on farming in Flathead County. It’s as simple as that. Right now the agricultural community is between a rock and a hard spot.”

Krueger further noted he had talked to Prunty about the Church Drive load limit.

David Tutvedt, another West Valley farmer, said farmers have a narrow window of time to get the fertilizer delivered and then applied to the fields. The anhydrous ammonia is shipped from one firm in Canada, which further complicates the timing, he said, because once Canadian farmers start their field work the Canadian fertilizer haulers shift to that market.

Mark Lalum, general manager of CHS Kalispell, urged the commissioners to take a common-sense approach and restore the 400-pound level to that portion of Church Drive.

“I think the load limit was put on a road by mistake,” Lalum said.

About 20 loads of anhydrous ammonia need to reach the West Valley farmers in time for spring field work.

Lalum pointed out that potato farmers get an exemption under state law to be able to haul their seed potato loads even if temporary load limits are imposed.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.