Responding to public suggestions, PPL Montana has announced plans to install a security gate allowing full-time recreational pedestrian access across the top of the Hauser Dam, yet keeping public vehicles off the structure.
The hydroelectric dam, located on the Missouri River 14 miles northeast of Helena, is a very popular location for fishing, hiking and other outdoor activities. The gate will allow pedestrians to cross the dam and get to the other side of the river, an area that is virtually inaccessible by other means.
The dam was closed to vehicles and pedestrians earlier this year because of public safety and national security concerns. In part, PPL Montana took the action in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security elevating the national threat level to Code Orange, or “high risk.”
“PPL Montana is to be congratulated for stepping up to the plate on this issue and finding a way to preserve security while providing access,” said Ed Tinsley, a member of the Lewis and Clark County Board of Commissioners.
Tinsley added that the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Department will be making regular patrols at the dam site to help address security concerns.
“Everyone in this area is happy to see this new gate to provide access to the other side of the river,” said Hal Harper, a former Montana legislator and avid sportsman. “We’re pleased that PPL Montana heard our concerns and took action.”
Harper pointed out that responsible recreationalists must help enforce the rules regarding access across private property. “We must all understand the need to respect private property when using it to access public lands. Responsible recreationalists cannot tolerate abuse of the privilege by those few who often spoil a good thing,” he said.
“We have an obligation to ensure public safety and be responsive when the government raises national security concerns,” said David Hoffman, manager of external affairs for PPL Montana. “We also, of course, have an obligation to listen to the concerns of residents in the communities where we do business, and to take action when we can.”
The new gate is an excellent compromise, Hoffman said, because it maintains an added level of security by leaving the fence in place, but allows pedestrians access.
“I’d like to express PPL Montana’s sincere thanks to Commissioner Tinsley, Hal Harper and our crew at Hauser who worked to make this development possible,” he said.
PPL Montana, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL), has offices in Billings, Butte and Helena. With more than 500 employees, PPL Montana operates the coal-fired Colstrip and Corette power plants and 11 hydroelectric facilities along the Missouri, Flathead, Clark Fork and Madison rivers and Rosebud Creek. PPL EnergyPlus, another PPL subsidiary, operates a trading floor in Butte that markets and sells power in the wholesale energy market.
PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, Pa., controls about 11,500 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America.