Court hears oral arguments over home built in Glacier National Park

Within Glacier National Park’s 1,583 square miles is a home that exists in a void. State officials are trying to figure out who has jurisdiction over the home.
The Flathead Conservation District went to federal court on Wednesday to defend its authority over a California couple, John and Stacy Ambler, who built a home on private property along McDonald Creek in Glacier National Park.
The Flathead Conservation District argues that the couple violated Montana's Natural Streambed and Land Protection Act by constructing the home near the creek without a permit.
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[@kendesmarais9018]

And some wonder why locals hate outsiders …

[@irgilligan]

And you wonder why no one cares

[@Pokesalad222]

​@@irgilligan😢😢😢

[@carlag9888]

No permit, AND in a park? Sided up against a river that floods how often? Where do people get off building a house wherever they like. How did they even get that far? Jeez. Inholding or not, what a stupid place to build.

[@MyGoogleYoutube]

I believe they did have county approval for the home.

[@conormcmenemie5126]

One obvious feature is that because it is a national park with building restrictions it becomes an infinetly more desirable place to live.

[@ml-jt6eg]

Private land. Some hippie group is filing the suit not the park or the county

[@jessewoody5772]

Take your blinders off.

[@eh3477]

​@@ml-jt6egActially at least some of the group who joined the lawsuit against the new home are local business owners and residents in the same inholding area. Not hippies, at all

[@thesquatchdoctor3356]

Ah, the old "build it and hope the red tape is too confusing for them to tear it down" game. Classic rich people.

[@gallardoo9]

no the environmental idiots are complaining they have a permit with the county do share how they havent done the proper paperwork

[@rodshop5897]

@@gallardoo9 "they have a permit with the county" Who told you this? And it sounds like the county may not have been the correct or only place to get a permit.

[@nosoupforyou4307]

Those Duttons are at it again 😡😤

[@thesquatchdoctor3356]

@@gallardoo9 From what I get from watching the video again and some googling, the couple's argument is that state laws about permitting near stream beds shouldn't apply to federal lands, but the fact is that state law would indeed apply to any decisions made by the county. I haven't found anywhere saying that they do have permits from the county, but the county isn't going to sue anyone over what they do on Federal lands anyways. The Federal government probably had no idea about it until the state stepped in to sue them over it, and here we are.

[@brad3706]

​You are right, is my bet. We have an insurance executive who lives across the bay from us. He built his daughter a 320 sq ft, A frame, "play house" ​with a loft. The structure was over 18 feet tall, at the neighbors property line and too close to the bay. The county filed suit after six months of sanctions. He tied it up in court for a couple of years before the county finally won. But his daughter turned 11 and was done with it..... Rich people do what they want as money is just something in piles at the bank, not something that needs to be counted. It's top 10% who just don't care about anyone but themselves. @@thesquatchdoctor3356

[@cattigereyes1]

Rip it down! It’s a park!

[@kellimoore141]

It is private land within the National Park. However, it IS in a conservation district. SMH! Rich people’s problems.

[@16Physche]

I was trying to figure out why a house like that, kind of ugly, then the lightbulb came on, it’s going to be an Airbnb

[@Cucumberflavoredmustard]

Ten feet from the outside curve of a waterway? Don't worry ya'll, a flood will handle this one. I won't shed a tear when it happens.

[@hillbillydeluxe27]

And they might not be able to get home owners insurance.

[@gallardoo9]

perhaps the bottom floor is for flooding when the waterway does flood much like along other rivers in the US

[@hillbillydeluxe27]

@@gallardoo9 I just wouldn’t build that close to a river, creek or any body of water.

[@Cucumberflavoredmustard]

@@hillbillydeluxe27 If I was an underwriter, that place would be great for a laugh, and that's it.

[@hillbillydeluxe27]

@@Cucumberflavoredmustard 😎👍

[@125southernnh2]

Californication of Montana. How arrogant are these people?

[@ge2623]

Extremely.

[@fun0537]

Couple from CA- that says everything you need to know.

[@GO-xs8pj]

Not everyone from CA is like this.

[@bwellman1953]

@@GO-xs8pj They didn't say that.

[@KrazyHillBilly]

But you're still not convincing that people from California overall have a negative impact on other states. They want to move to the middle of the sticks, but complain about the way of life of people who are from there.

[@Justin-techguy]

I was lucky enough to visit Glacier Park many times as a kid. I don't feel this home belongs in a national park.

[@donpeters9849]

And they wonder why nature responds.

[@MyGoogleYoutube]

It is what it is. Be grateful the park is there in the first place and it wasn't totally consumed by private land owners as our nation grew rapidly. GNP is so huge an inholding here and there doesn't exactly spoil it. Look at Texas for example - Arkansas has more public land than the entire state of TX. That could have been the reality nationwide. Thankfully, that never happened. Be grateful for what we have.

[@DwightStJohn-t7y]

Who ever desinged that tract home is NOT related to Frank Lloud Wright. It looks like a Texas slum up tract house.

[@jmfs3497]

That's ridiculous how close to the creek they built even it weren't in a National Park.

[@GeorgeWheeler-s7e]

yeah, it is likely in the flood plain. This is how they built houses 120 years ago. It's really dumb to build that close to a creek/river in general. The "thousand year storm" that you don't plan on will happen a lot sooner than a thousand years

[@ml-jt6eg]

Private land they can do what they want as long as it’s permitted

[@eh3477]

​@@ml-jt6egNo, and it's not permitted anyway

[@phlodel]

@@ml-jt6eg A friend of mine has a cabin in a National Park. She owns her lot. Most of the other lots are 99-year leases. The Forest Service insists that she needs their permit to do anything on her property. That may be the permit these people didn't get.

[@christopherhaak9824]

But it clearly violates state law.

[@dikhurtz2406]

The selfishness in this country is astounding.

[@gundriver6439]

I've never understood how private property is allowed on National Forest land, let alone National parks.

[@69dblcab]

Land privately owned prior to creation of the park.

[@thomashughes_teh]

It's more common in the Eastern US. I have family that owns creek side land in Indiana. It's not in a National park or National Forest but it is in a habitat conservation zone. Their home and buildings built in floodplain in the 1930's are not renewable. They can't get permits for major retrofit , additions, tear down and re build, etc. Once they age out of habitability they are gone. He will however be permitted mobile home(s) as replacements provided the wheels stay on. There had been a small live-able log cabin built in 1910 that crumbled because of a flood and these rules.

[@DwightStJohn-t7y]

in Canada most of Federal park lands in Jasper , Banfffff, etc. are 99 years leases.

[@erikh9991]

@@thomashughes_teh My step-grandparents had a cabin (very rustic) in Yosemite that was their parents before the area was taken over by the National Forest. At one point the US Government kick them out. Then the government learned it would cost them more money to do anything with the park. The family got the cabin back and was force to make $50,000 in repairs.

[@GoonyMclinux]

Because the government isn't supposed to own land, the parks are all government land grabs themselves.

[@TreeLBollingTreeMan]

Ask the people in western North Carolina what happens when you build right on a river bank.

[@TreeLBollingTreeMan]

@Plutogalaxy I live in the flood area and no homes are being rebuilt on river banks. Besides some homes were hundreds of feet from river bank and still got swept away. That's just how extreme this flood was.

[@AWalker-hb7rd]

@@TreeLBollingTreeMan Yes, the flooding from Helene was extreme. Some of the oldest buildings in Western NC and Northwest NC were destroyed, some of which had never flooded before. A friend of mine's homestead is over 150 years old and the house had never flooded before. It sustained major damage from Helene. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was solid, and they'd managed to hang onto it and keep it up. No one could have seen this coming back when that house was built or even the day before Helene rolled in. It's a tough row to hoe. I hope that you and your family and friends are doing well and are safe and warm.

[@TreeLBollingTreeMan]

@AWalker-hb7rd Thank you most kindly. The combined flow of the Toe River and Cane River into the Nolichucky River ripped out bridges, CSX train tracks and hundreds upon hundreds of homes and businesses. It even destroyed the hospital in Erwin TN

[@markalford5406]

Tear down the house and bill the builders. WTF.

[@garyradtke3252]

All I hear from Californians is California is the most beautiful and best place to live. So why not build in California where it is the greatest?

[@Bill-im6nt]

How did they end up owning this land? Not a peep about that. They are from California, not local people who owned the land before it became a park. Look for a politician with too much $$$$ lately.

[@huntertomlin3909]

You can buy in holdings, it's regular private land that just happens to be surrounded by federal land. I own a couple of acres in western Washington and don't plan on letting it go kinda nice not having any restrictions on what I can build.

[@OccamsToaster]

Right? How could people who didn't own a piece of property 100 years ago possibly own that piece today? What did they do, buy it from the previous owner?

[@mikemiller9024]

Tear it down. How did park let it get built? Do the people actually own the land it sits on?

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Remove it

[@mia1shooter]

🤡

[@mia1shooter]

"rEmOvE iT"

[@martinyuhas929]

This is not going to end well for this couple.

[@donpeters9849]

That monstrosity does not belong. Whose ego is so twisted that they would think this ok???

[@MyGoogleYoutube]

It is private property so there you have it.

[@BajatheChickenMan]

Californians, who think the world revolves around them.

[@DwightStJohn-t7y]

The Fashion Police should step in HARD in their Lu Lu Lemons. Who had more money that DESIGN sense?? this is a tract home. EWWWW.

[@drowe2]

@@MyGoogleKZbinthank you - totally agree.

[@druidsongevergreens]

I wish national parks would remain as such

[@garyt3hsna1l82]

God what a hideous eyesore, they didn't even try and architect the home to blend in with the natural environment just put a 3 story McMansion right in the river, there was a right way to do this and a way that shows you tried to sneak a structure up exploiting every loophole possible and them claim ownership like the wealthy squatter in the night you are, this is worse than any inner city bum camp because in 5 years it will be another gated HOA community.

[@smruthrauff-d6r]

Rental I bet.

[@MeMyself-y5n]

The homeowners come off as selfish entitled brats without ever showing their faces.

[@mia1shooter]

how so?

[@PalmBeachDog]

That house looks like it was built out of popsicle sticks.

[@jonathanpeterson1984]

I hope they lose and have to move the house personally.

[@primafacie9721]

Go build one on the 18th green at Pebble Beach golf course and see how that goes.

[@hwica2753]

Simple solution, do not allow private land in a National Park.

[@johnb221]

Where is the septic tank located? All the waste water will probably flow into the river

[@tristanwwsd]

Worst case, they have to tear it down. Best case, it gets washed away in 2 years.

[@rickysiebert9618]

How did they get the building materials to the site without red flags going off everywhere?

[@dpacheco7349]

From California, go figure...

[@seamac7564]

Californians...

[@lat1502]

Maybe I missed something. I'm confused. Did they build a house on land they don't own? or, Do they own the land and the dispute is over who authorizes building next to the river?

[@ml-jt6eg]

It’s private land inside the national park. The lawsuit is being brought by a group that doesn’t belong to the county or the national park

[@OccamsToaster]

@@ml-jt6eg The lawsuit was filed by the people who built the house.

[@bmaul62deepsea16]

I didn't know I could build a house in glacier park, I'm packing my tools and heading that way!

[@joerotorhead]

House needs to be removed, period

[@mia1shooter]

you need to be removed

[@JS-zb1vv]

So it’s on private land correct? If it’s private. It’s not the park

[@OccamsToaster]

Which is exactly why it should be subject to applicable state and local laws that require them to get the permit they didn't get and would have prohibited at least some of what they did while building.

[@JS-zb1vv]

@@OccamsToasterI still think if it’s your property you shouldn’t have to ask anyone. The government is in our business way too much!! We are taxed enough!

[@JosieB2017]

Were permits pulled? Sounds like a shady contractor to even take this project on.

[@nynomadfjc3907]

Californians.. that explains it all

[@vel230]

Wonder how many Californians will be moving into the park now?

[@jimcypher]

Deplorable. 🙄

[@ge2623]

Californian couple. Shocking. 🙄

[@rogerclark9285]

Make them tear it down and pay for restoring the landscape.

[@bcsundberg2]

Keep it classy, California!

[@GoDodgers1]

Probably rich lawyers.

[@PerspectiveEngineer]

Go back to grade school

[@johnbev2]

Just another California doing what they want to do.

[@TheAbristol]

Big shocker this couple is from California. These people live in their own world.

[@scottbowersox2499]

How the hell did they even build in a national park??

[@patriot5526]

Typical California attitude, we are better and smarter than you.

[@jb3760]

The Supreme Court has already ruled on this multiple times. Just because the federal government owns the land, doesn’t mean state law doesn’t apply. California couple needs to go back to their own state.

[@StC-j5k]

how long before the house is driftwood?

[@LiveBalanced365]

The house needs to be torn down immediately by the owners or the national park service should be sued by the citizens of the country. Also, please do a search and publicly post the owners and address and/or GPS coordinates.

[@fluxfaze]

Be sure to fine them for pollution after flood knocks it down and scatters it all downstream.

[@loft306]

Built on the outside curve of a river? Was this for one of their mother-in-law's?

[@frey8725]

Why would they even want to build that close to a river? What are they gonna do when it floods?

[@OccamsToaster]

Apparently the lot size is about 2200 square feet. Sensible people would have built a much smaller house, but even a 20 x 40' house can't have 10' of clearance to all 4 property lines.

[@VanD-Dam]

The state should have the last word in situations like this. Keep the federal government out of state business.

[@SeniorMoostacho]

So, if you just go out and build a house anywhere on or in a National Park ....these people think that is ok?? No permits, no nothing, just do it? The House needs to go. Please. End of case.

[@MarkBean-vy9qc]

Says it all California couple, building in Montana woke privilege spreading.

[@grobanna]

Just wait 5 years for the river to take out the house.

[@abelcompany1556]

Always the Cali people

[@BajatheChickenMan]

Sounds like typical Californians.

[@andrewbuchanan6130]

These people are criminals !

[@sandmtn03]

Why no permits

[@OMWone6629]

They are way too close. Wow.

[@raymondturpin3265]

One side is illegally building a home on a park. The other side is the law about parks.

[@maxruggiero4338]

“wasn’t enacted until decades after the park” well yeah, you’d be putting the cart before the horse making a law to protect a park that doesn’t exist yet However, if they really built without any permits, sounds like it’s on them. I don’t know how stable that river is, but I’m surprised you would build so close to the bank.

[@Dan-y6l3k]

The house is above the high water mark. The owners received permission to build AND were granted access to city utilities. It sounds like people are envious of the owners and want what they have.

[@OccamsToaster]

Feel free to cite a reliable source to support that. According to the Flathead Conservation District a flood on the Flathead River in 1964 Caused McDonald Creek to flow upstream into the lake, washing away some of the bank and compromising the existing house badly enough that it was demolished instead of repaired.

[@Dan-y6l3k]

@ - Our local news (KCRA) had a segment about this more than a week ago. I saw it on the actual television, so I am not sure there is a clip on social media.

[@69genXer-w2m]

So, a homeless person cannot sleep in a park but a wealthy person can build a home in a national park? I wonder if I can move into GNP while living in my 5th wheel rv? How many years in jail would I get for that?

[@skinnywaterboys6108]

What a bunch of A - holes for building in the park I hope the house comes down!!

[@OB17358]

Let ‘em keep their house. As close to the creek as it is, it won’t be there long.

[@streetlegalsprintcar]

There goes the neighborhood.

[@outwestexplorer1966]

Didnt know people could buy private land in a national park. It shouldnt be allowed.House should be torn down. Also what about the contractor that built the house. Did he get permits was it approved by the county and the nps. Looks like alot of blame to go around on this one.

[@artforartsake888]

pretty close to the water way.

[@lonewanderer2287]

Rich people don’t need permission remember?

[@tiggersdad6878]

A Kalifornia couple doing whatever they want??? Surely not

[@cashdog9999]

californians will ruin montana now

[@questionsociety]

They already are.

[@festungkurland9804]

what a duuumb place to build a house

[@larrybryant2811]

They need to wait till they're done building the home and then take it

[@user-ii3vn8tn3q]

How did they get homeowners insurance to build next to a river that floods frequently? We will ALL end up paying for that home someday.

[@OccamsToaster]

By going to an insurance agent and buying a perfectly ordinary homeowner's policy. You do know that an ordinary homeowner's policy doesn't cover damage from a flood, right?

[@idrathernot_2]

Its federal land, thats it. Like it or not.

[@michaelalmasian4710]

Wasn’t there a Bugs Bunny cartoon about this? Sheriff of Nottingham?

[@jtb3797]

Private property in a state park still applys to all county building regulations.

[@shellbell1517]

Who do they pay taxes to for that property?

[@siriosstar4789]

Forget the permit , what idiot would build that close to a river . Flooding , erosion , septic , drain field , fires , what could possibly go wrong

[@shanechostetler9997]

Typical Californian, way too big of house way to close to the stream.

[@smruthrauff-d6r]

Looks flammable...😅

[@sunshinelizard1]

The words I want to write here about what they have done wouldn't be allowed. Selfish, greedy, arrogant only begin to describe what they have done.

[@brandonfitzgerald8705]

It’ll be a shame when all that firewood nailed together gets used

[@greenspiritarts]

First ice-out should do the job of clearing that sense of entitlement right out of there. Rich people try that here and they get bulldozed.

[@jeremycable51]

The damage is done leave these folks alone they haven’t hurt anything and it’ll be washed away in a flood within 10 years

[@Skedawg88]

The tax prayers, or if you prefer the citizens of the USA own the land, not some California couple.

[@Rich-sp8hd]

Well it’s considered littering.

[@laconvail9484]

That looks like it will be in the creek pretty soon. Even disregarding the legalities who would think that's a good idea?? Lol

[@mjs3188]

Suddenly, the plot of Yellowstone becomes a lot more real

[@RazzTazzTX]

It will flood and wash away come spring 😂😂

[@scampeezo]

Big surprise - the owners are from California.

[@ChrisReed-x1m]

Just make it an HOA. Let them take care of it...

[@mia1shooter]

so you like HOAs?, bootlicker

[@carolr7823]

Tear it down.

[@Elleffante]

Did someone get paid off?😅

[@reinholdstephen]

entitled

[@highcurrent1125]

Looks like the park staff just inherited a new back country ranger office...

[@mia1shooter]

bootlicker?

[@CreamyBone]

And they built it 50ft from a creek in a high mountainous area? - One good snow year and it'll be gone anyway 😉