The beauty, history and recreational opportunities of Black Eagle Island now will be open to the public, thanks to the leadership of PPL Montana and the support of local, state and federal private and public agencies and organizations.
"Our main business is generating electricity, but our commitment to Montana goes far beyond that." said Pete Simonich, PPL Montana’s manager of hydroelectric generation, at an opening ceremony on the island Thursday (6/2).
"Black Eagle Island is an example of our commitment to partner with communities, government, and environmental and civic organizations to better the quality of life today and tomorrow for all Montanans," Simonich said.
"This historic, man-made island has never before been accessible to the general public," he said. "Completion of the project, along with a new section of the River’s Edge Trail that links West Bank Park to the island, marks an important milestone in the addition of public recreation enhancements to the Missouri River corridor in Great Falls."
Black Eagle Island features exceptional stone walls, a restored truss bridge, and an interpretive viewing plaza below the falls. A 1,500-foot path links to a viewing area at the tip of the island. Recreational opportunities include hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and picnicking. The island also offers outstanding views of the falls and the remains of Paris Gibson’s first hydropower plant, and of the river canyon, birds and wildlife.
"This type of project is a huge undertaking and it is a success because of the active support and collaboration of numerous partners," Simonich said.
A major partner with PPL Montana in the Black Eagle Island project was Recreational Trails Inc., a nonprofit group that works to maintain the Rivers Edge Trail. Simonich presented Doug Wicks, the organization’s president, with a plaque in appreciation of the group’s work.
"Because of Doug and Recreational Trails Inc., the Rivers Edge Trail is a nationally recognized recreational and environmental treasure of which all Montanans can be proud," Simonich said. "PPL Montana is honored to team up with imaginative and dedicated Montanans like Doug and his organization and work together on projects like the Rivers Edge Trail and Black Eagle Island to enhance the state’s culture, environment and economy."
Simonich also acknowledged the work of the City of Great Falls, Cascade County, Lewis & Clark National Forest, the state Bureau of Land Management, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Montana Conservation Corp.
"We are proud to have strong, diverse relationships with public and private organizations such as these, and many others, in support of all our environmental stewardship efforts throughout the state," he said.
PPL Montana has committed more than $50 million between 2000 and 2009 for projects to improve river flow, water quality, fisheries, wildlife habitats, recreation sites and cultural resources for rivers and lakes throughout Montana.
PPL Montana operates 11 hydroelectric power plants along the Missouri, Madison, Clark Fork and Flathead rivers and Rosebud Creek, as well as two coal-fired plants at Colstrip and Billings, that give it a combined generating capacity of about 1,200 megawatts. The company employs about 500 people at its facilities throughout the state with offices in Billings, Butte and Helena.