The Independent-Record from Helena, Montana • Page 15

IncIepencIenti FROM MONTANA'S Ikecoro Allenspur dam would be built near major geological fault By GARY LANGLEY III Suite Bureau A proposal lo build the Allenspur Dam south' of Livingston lo supply walor for energy production in eastern Montana should be studied carefully because ot lis proximity to a tcalor geological fault. Ski project passes hurdle BOZEMAN (APJ The Oallatbi County Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved the preliminary plat fcr Ski Yellowstone, a tourist development planned for the Hebgen Lake area northwest of West Yellowstone. 'ihe approval' represents the first victory for the developers, who have unveiled a plan for Stenorette1 construction condominiums, hostels, a marina, ski lifts and single-family houses on private land below Mt. Hehflcn, A final plat still must he submitted, as well as a preliminary plat for Lake Village, a second development along Hebgen Lake. The proposed development is less than an hour's drive south of Big Sky of Montana.

UeveloptTs still must get a special-use permit from the U.S. Forest Service and then need approval for a special zoning district near Hebgen Lake. Dehors EMBASSY MARK $39950 with DieMing Ihe new and improved system! FREE DELIVERY SERVICE That warning come this week from Ralph King, associate director for information services at the Montana Bureau of Minos und Geology in Butte. "There arc a lot of things lo be taken into consideration," King said In a telephone Interview. "It is an area where a study should be conducted before any plans are made for construction." Kinp, was asked for his opinion aboul proposals that town teen advanced periodically to dam the Yellowstone Hiver Just south of Livingston.

The water should be used to supply plants tha would convert coo I strip-mined in eastern Montana Into energy. A BULLETIN PUBLISHED by the Bureau of Minos and Geology in 1962 shows that the dam would be built Jusl north of a major fault that runs In the shape of a for about 30 miles north and south and east and west. Subsequent bulletins have confirmed Ihe existence of the fault. "The fact that Is one (fault) there shouldn't be ignored," King said. King aided that there is no way to predict if an earthquake could occur along the fault.

"That's one of those things that nobody can really say," he said. "So far, they've been pretty unpredictable." IF AN EARTHQUAKE DID OCCUR, he said, the resulting flood could cause considerable property damage and loss of According to King, a sudden landslide, such as the one that created Quake Lake during the earthquake In the Hebgen Lake area in 1959, could trigger a flood. The Hebgen etirthquakc killed nearly 30 persons who had been camping in the area and caused considerable property damage, "If that (slide) would have gone into a reservoir it would have slopped over" the dam, he said. He pointed out that there has been some problems with landslides in the mountains south of Livingston that would serve as the walls for the reservoir. "If Ihey put a reservoir in It would Increase that," ho Bald.

He said an earthquake probably would not break the dam because "the dam is made to withstand the pressure of water." KING ALSO SAID THE EXISTENCE of the fault In the area of the proposed dam site presents the question of "whether it will hold water" because of the makeup of the underground geology. He said the combination of soluble limestone and cracks and joints underground could cause the reservoir to leak. He said the water would enlarge the channels ot the underground formations and seep underground. Hosaid the bed and geologic formations at the site of Ihe dam also should be taken into consideration. "I don't want lo say it's a good site or a bad site," King said.

"It deserves more study before they do anything, though." The federal government has denied any plans to build the dims, although it is listed on a federal study fcr completion in Many residents of the Livingston area are opposed lo it GROUP GROUP 2 OPEN Mon. Thurs. Fti. 'tit 9 Pedwin Dexter Wm. Joyce GROUP 3 a.

GROUP 4 Osaga Prokeds The Indepondont Record. Helnno, Thursday, October 16, Reg. to 46.00 now Reg. to 30.00 NOW Reg. to 36.00 NOW Reg.

to 25.00 NOW 7 8 9 19H" 10 l1(ml 11 12 1 13 a jljl IXXXXXXXXTT XIIXXXXXXXAi i XXX 1x11 Ixlxl 1 I 1 I Capital Hill Shopping Center of the Helena Local Government Review Commission Should we change the method by which Helena's mayor is elected? How about a different way of electing city council members? Should the city elections be partisan or non-partisan? Come and make your comments known at the Public Hearing No. 2 of the Helena Government Commission. This is your chance to help formulate the type of government we have in Helena. 90 90 90 90 Commission Members: Rev. George Harper, Chairman Warren Brass, Vice-Chairman Jean Christoferson, Treas.

Tom Behan Albert Erickson.