The developers behind a proposed 97-slip marina in Flathead Lake’s Bigfork Bay have withdrawn their 310-permit application with the Flathead County Conservation District in response to public feedback.

The Conservation District Board was set to review the application from Cougar Ridge Development at its Aug. 10 meeting, but the Polson-based developer on Monday notified the district of its intent to withdraw from the review process. 

"They made reference to basically wanting to pull the application to address some of the concerns and issues that have been brought forward by the public through a more appropriate venue, like through the planning process as opposed to the 310 permit process," the District's Resource Conservation Specialist Samantha Tappenback said.  

While the application will still appear on the Aug. 10 meeting agenda, the board will only formally approve the application's withdrawal. The developer did not indicate to the district its next steps for the project. 

Cougar Ridge Development owns the property on the northeast shore of Bigfork Bay, immediately west of the Flathead County public dock. Most of the property is in the water, but it also includes a sliver of shoreline between the bay and Grand Drive. 

According to plans submitted with the now-withdrawn 310 permit application, the marina would include 97 boat slips, a boardwalk, a swimming area and a parking lot. No fueling would be offered at the marina, but there would be wastewater disposal provided to boaters.  

Since Bigfork Bay is considered part of the Swan River, the proposed marina is required to go through the 310 permitting process, which is designed to preserve rivers and streams in their natural state. Any project that that will impact the bed or bank of a perennial flowing stream is required to obtain a 310 permit. 

To move forward with the project, Cougar Ridge would eventually need to resubmit its application with the district.  

The Conservation District received Cougar Ridge’s 310 permit application in early April and was originally scheduled to review the document in June, but the board tabled the application due to insufficient information. The developer requested additional time ahead of the July meeting, pushing review to the August meeting, before withdrawing the application altogether.  

In its application, Cougar Ridge Development wrote that “the project is necessary because of the continuing/growing need for general public boat docking capacity on Flathead Lake. Without the additional capacity boat owners are only left with the option of removing watercraft from the water after every use, and without an secure overnight on water storage docking/parking. When completed the facility will provide a needed public service that is lacking on Flathead Lake.” 

The proposed marina has drawn considerable attention from the Bigfork community, who fear the project will change the character of Bigfork Bay.  

Ashley Atkins of the recently formed Bigfork Community Alliance, said the group is concerned about increased traffic, both in the water and on Grand Drive, as well as the impact of the marina on the environment.   

Reporter Elsa Ericksen can be reached at 406-758-4459 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.