Environmental group threatens lawsuit over 100-mile run in bear habitat

Environmentalists are threatening suit if a 100-mile endurance run is allowed in the Swan Mountains east of Kalispell, saying the race might affect protected grizzly bears. U.S. Forest Service officials, meanwhile, have begun collecting information on the race, a process that could push well beyond the scheduled July 29 start date. "Our decision whether or when to allow the race isn't going to be based on the date of the event," said Flathead National Forest spokesman Brandan Schulze. Schulze said a public scoping period likely will last until mid-June, followed by an official assessment of possible environmental impacts. "I think we'll have a better idea of what's going to be required in about a month," he said. That means tight timing for race organizers, who already have collected registration fees but did not submit their permit application to the Forest Service until May 13. Similar races have been held in the past, Schulze said, and were allowed without any formal environmental review. But this year's event covers more miles and involves more runners, he said, "and so the impacts may be different."...more

50 racers have registered. That would be the equivalent of having one runner every two miles. Come on.