The Bureau of Land Management NEWS |
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The Bureau of Land Management NEWS |
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Last updated: 04/04/03
For release: Friday, September 12, 1997
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LEWISTOWN -- After extensive deliberation and public consultation, Chuck Otto has decided that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will endorse building a replica of the Eye of the Needle in Fort Benton, Montana, but will leave the remains of the original Eye.
The preferred location for the replica is along the levee of the Missouri River in the town of Fort Benton. A replica will complement the river, be more visible and move towards healing from this tragic event. Once the replica is complete and the public has a chance to look at it, the replica will be assessed. If found to meet criteria for being maintenance free and visually, erosionally and geologically identical to the original, the BLM may again consider rebuilding the original Eye of the Needle.
Chuck Otto, the BLM's Judith Resource Area Manager, made the announcement today.
The Eye of the Needle, a popular 11-foot sandstone arch on the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River (UMNWSR) about 56 miles downstream from Fort Benton, was destroyed by vandals sometime between May 25 and May 27.
The incident brought much local, state and national attention to the issue of vandalism of public resources.
"I've never worked with a public land issue that brought such a quick public reaction. Our office has received literally hundreds of calls and comments concerning the Eye of the Needle in the past 10 weeks. Everyone I talked with was truly offended that something like this would happen along the UMNWSR and many had good suggestions about how BLM should manage the remains of the Needle," Otto said.
These suggestions and ideas were the subjects of public meetings in July and a public comment period that extended into August. After the public comment period, three alternatives (building a replica at the original site; building a replica in Fort Benton; or not rebuilding at any location) were then analyzed in an environmental assessment.(p> The assessment helped BLM analyze the three alternatives in terms of public comments, legal restraints, and a sense of the practical.
Because of the tremendous national and local interest in the Eye of the Needle, the BLM is trying to use the event as an educational message regarding vandalism of public resources. To do so, BLM is sponsoring a scholarship competition. The competition requires that Montana high school seniors create a design using the Eye of the Needle as a focal point for encouraging everyone to further a sense of appreciation, pride and responsibility for our natural heritage and resources. The BLM will use the winning design in an educational message at the replica site.
Some of the funds for building a replica of the Eye of the Needle in Fort Benton may come from private sources, although no particular corporation would have a predominant interest. Community participation in the funding process would also be encouraged.
No start-up date for the project was given.
Those interested in a copy of the EA should contact the Judith Resource Area Manager, Box 1160, Airport Road, Lewistown, MT 59457.
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