1999 FFLA Western Regional Conference
Libby, Montana October 7-11, 1999

Wednesday, October 6:
The first arrival in Libby was Oregon Director Howard Verschoor. Howard spent the day investigating local lookouts and lookout sites (and access), including Warland Peak, Swede Mountain, and Flower Point. Later in the evening, Gary Weber showed up, finding Howard two doors down in the motel, while Keith Argow checked in at a nearby motel.

Thursday, October 7:
After meeting for breakfast, Howard, Keith and Gary moved down the street to the Kootenai NF Supervisors Office where the Forest Service's Northern Region Heritage Working Group was concluding their fall workshop. Upon being introduced to the group, they found another director present; Smoke Pfeiffer, who had never met any of the other directors in person, was sitting on the other side of the room, blending in with his fellow Forest Service archaeologists. (Smoke had worked on the Kootenai NF several years ago.) A presentation on partnerships led nicely into the panel-type discussion of how the FFLA and the Heritage Program could work together toward the common goal of preserving lookouts and lookout history.

After a late lunch and meeting with other forest personnel and making last minute conference arrangements, Howard, Keith and Gary made the short trip to Flower Point, site of one of three remaining tree towers on the Kootenai NF. While there, the ruins of the 50-foot L-4 were located a short distance away. Upon returning to town, George and Pam Morey were located and all gathered for dinner, joined later by Rex Kamstra. Later in the evening, the motel room between Howard and Gary became occupied by none other than Mark Swift!

Friday, October 8:
As the group gathered Friday morning at the Forest Service office, the numbers grew with the addition of Rob Hoeye and Dick Gilman. The scheduled informal assessment workshop saw Kootenai Forest Archaeologist Becky Timmons and Libby District Archaeologist Mark White leading the group of eleven to Tony Peak, where the 10-foot L-4, built in 1934, still stands. The lookout had all but been given up on, since higher priority preservation efforts would rapidly take the limited funds available for such projects. However, Tony Peak does have factors in its favor; 1) road access, 2) a terrific view of Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa, 3) the strong interest by District Archeologist Mark White and 4) ties to other local history. While the deteriorated condition of the lookout is such that a significant portion of restoration would entail replacement rather than preservation of exiting materials, it was determined that the tower itself was basically sound, and restoration certainly not an impossibility. The group came up with the recommendation that steps be taken to prevent further deterioration and to "mothball" the structure until such time that partnerships and funding could make restoration a reality.

While at Tony Peak, it was noticed how little impact a nearby communications site had on the lookout. Rather than towers being constructed at the peak alongside the lookout (or attached to the lookout), the structures are located slightly below the summit, screened from the lookout by trees. This gave rise to the concept of the "Tony Peak Award", recognizing the best examples of preservation of visual and historic characteristics while designing electronic sites at lookout locations. After returning to Libby for lunch, Keith was pleased to be able to share this concept with Forest Supervisor Bob Castaneda and the forest leadership team, who just happened to be eating at the same restaurant.

Friday afternoon was spent in setting up displays, making new acquaintances and renewing old ones at the conference site, the city's Ponderosa Conference Room. Other directors arriving included Ray Kresek, Bob Young, and Merv Mattern.

The Friday evening Board Meeting was called to order at 7:25 with directors Keith Argow (SE U.S.), Ray Kresek (WA), Howard Verschoor (OR), Mark Swift (NV-N.CA), Pam and George Morey (S.CA), Smoke Pfieffer (AR), Bob Young (AB) and Gary Weber (ID/MT) in attendance. Merv Mattern (AB) had been present, but had retired early for the evening. This was a "first time" in attendance at a conference or board meeting for Historian and Arkansas Director Smoke Pfeiffer. Six other members were also in attendance.

Chairman Keith Argow gave a review of the Eastern Conference, as well as a preview of the upcoming winter meeting, to be held in Pennsylvania, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the association. Future emphasis will be placed on membership development and the organizational structure. The potential for changes in organizational structure of chapters and regions exists; at some point in the future, it is predicted that growth will occur to the point that the organization may be grouped into four regions instead of the current two.

Lookout "passports" were proposed; after considerable discussion, Pennsylvania and Oregon were suggested as potential "test" areas.

It was announced that a formal agreement is in the works for the displaying of metal plaques at US Forest Service lookouts on the National Historic Lookout Register. The FFLA's role in the process was discussed, as well as ideas for plaques at state or privately owned registered lookouts.

The role of the FFLA in lookout projects was discussed. It was noted that while many members become involved in projects, not everyone has that interest (researchers, current lookouts, etc.) A reminder was made that the actual role of the FFLA most often is to provide support rather than to be the actual "do-er"; to help generate local interest and involvement and provide the "kick-start" often needed.

Historian Smoke Pfeiffer discussed some of his future plans, including a "Historian's Corner" in upcoming issues of the newsletter. Discussion was made of the note in the last newsletter about electronic archiving. Smoke also plans on developing a 10-year history of the organization.

FFLA merchandise was discussed; the car-door and refrigerator magnets have been discontinued (at least temporarily), it was proposed that window decals be looked into. Gary Weber announced that the "generic" FFLA shirts are still selling well, and are now generating a profit for the National Treasury (at least until the next re-order is made).

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15.

Saturday, October 9:
The Saturday session began with a welcome from Kootenai Forest Supervisor Bob Castaneda, who related that his own Forest Service career beginnings included a stint on a lookout in Idaho's Coeur d'Alene National Forest.

After reports from all directors and a run-down on the past, present, and future of the FFLA, introductions of the over forty people present served as the lead-in to the morning break.

The remainder of the morning program was spent in hearing of lookout activities on the Kootenai NF. Becky Timmons provided background and an overview of Heritage Program lookout activities on the forest. One of the recent successes on the forest was the past summer's Wam Mountain Lookout preservation project. Joe Nelson of the Murphy Lake District gave particulars of the Pasport in Time project, and introduced a video of the project, produced from individual slides taken by participants. Bill Fansler, Recreation Staff Officer, took time out from his surprise twenty-fifth wedding anniversary celebration to discuss the lookout rental program on the forest. The forest is looking at the same liability concerns as other forests, but feels that safety concerns have been adequately addressed. Forest Dispatcher Neil Nelson closed out the morning session with a discussion of the forest's use of lookouts for fire detection. The forest uses a mix of lookouts and air patrol, relying heavily on lookouts for priority interface areas. It is hoped to be able to maintain the current use of lookouts, despite declining budgets.

The afternoon program began with Keith Argow introducing Rob Hoeye, who is the webmaster for the National Historic Lookout Register web site on the internet. Rob then gave a computer-projected demonstration of the web site, doing a step- by-step walk-through of the site, explaining the available information to be found there.

Gary Weber gave another computer-aided presentation on lookout styles, showing examples of the standard designs used in the region; the D-6 cupola, the D-1, L-2 and L-3 cupolas, the different L-4 designs, the log L-5, the L-6 patrol cab, the R-6 flattop, the T-series pole towers, and the CT- and TT- treated tower designs.

Alberta Co- director Bob Young introduced author Mike Potter, who presented a slide show of Alberta and British Columbia Lookouts based on his book, "Fire Lookout Hikes in the Canadian Rockies".

During the day, Mark White had been scrambling to secure materials for Tony Peak Lookout, and was hard at work recruiting help to implement his newly-developed plan to halt further deterioration of the lookout. The afternoon session closed out with Gary giving an overview of restoration projects and some of the issues involved.

During the break prior to dinner, several of the group took advantage of Becky Timmons' offer to open the nearby Heritage Museum, while others did a quick sight-seeing tour of Kootenai Falls.

After the catered-in barbecue dinner, the silent auction, that had been taking place all day, was brought to a conclusion. With Ray Kresek and Chuck Butler encouraging the open portion of the bidding, $500.00 was raised to support next year's western conference. (Fifty cents was quickly added to the initial total of $499.50 to make the nice even amount!) The hot items were a large plush "Bertie Beaver" (Alberta's counterpart to Smokey) and a Fire Lookout Hosts jacket from the San Bernardino Forest Association. The evening closed out with the traditional lookout cake and one final slide show; Ray Kresek's "Unique Lookouts of the World" presentation.

Sunday, October 10:
Sunday's lookout tour saw 30 people making the trip to Blue Mountain Lookout. The rains of the previous two days had ended, leaving a cool, crisp morning above the valley fog. Many ventured past the bottom icy steps in making the climb up the 72-foot Aermotor tower. Others investigated the ground cabin, which had been taken over by pack rats, judging from the smell. One rat met its demise when it failed to outrun one of the dogs present! The tour continued on for a lunch stop at Big Creek Baldy Lookout. This was not on the initial plan, but after discussion over the course of the weekend on the issue of visitation at rental lookouts, it was decided that this would be a good opportunity, since the rental period had closed for the season. After a return to Libby, the group split up, with some departing for the trip home, others heading for the tree lookout at Flower Point, and Keith Argow, Rob Hoeye and Mark Swift heading for Tony Peak to assist Mark White with the work there.

After the short hike to Flower Point, considerable discussion and speculation ensued at the site of the L-4 tower remains. (Several questions were later answered upon inspection of the historical files at the office.) The group dwindled again, with more calling it a day, while the hard core made the short drive to Swede Mountain Lookout to view the 53-foot R-6, which had apparently been closed up on Friday, as Howard had found it still unshuttered on Thursday. Back to Libby, a dozen souls regrouped later in the evening for dinner.

Monday, October 11:
The last few said their good-byes after breakfast Monday, with most heading for home; Gary made a detour for a few hours to assist Mark with more work on the roof at Tony Peak.

All in all, another successful conference!