GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

Montana Geographic Names Advisor

Geographic Name Change Request

Charlie Swamps
Powell County, Montana

Status = Denied

Description swamp, approx. 1.8 sq mi, in Lolo National Forest, 4.6 km (2.9 mi) WSW of Morrell Mountain, 7.4 km (4.6 mi) E of Seeley Lake; named in honor of Charles Young (1919-1988)
Location 47°11’50”N, 113°24’56”W
PLSS Location Sec 29, T17N, R14W
Proposal new commemorative name for an unnamed feature
Proponent Mark Young; Raymond, NH
Administrative area Lolo National Forest
Previous BGN Action None
See also 40101
GNIS ID 0
Local Usage None found
Published None found
This proposal is to name an unnamed swamp in Lolo National Forest in Powell County for the proponent’s father, Charles Young (1919-1988). The swamp is approximately 1.8 square miles in size and lies 2.9 mi west-southwest of Morrell Mountain. According to the proponent, his father Charles “Charlie” Young (1919-1988) was raised in an orphanage during the depression years, and therefore “he strove to provide a better life for his family.” His father “loved interacting with people and the outdoors. His favorite hunting area for more than 25 years was in this swamp.”

The Powell County Commissioners do not support the proposal, citing some negative comments made at a public hearing on the issue. Some local residents believe there might be another local name for the feature, although no other name has been submitted. The Montana State Names Authority has declined to offer a recommendation on this proposal, citing his friendship with the proponent. The U.S. Forest Service has no objection to the name. The swamp in question lies 8 miles from the boundary of the Blackfoot Valley Wildlife Management Area; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also has no objection to the proposed name.

A copy of the proposal was forwarded to the Blackfeet Nation, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and the Nez Perce Tribe of Idaho, but no response was received, which is presumed to indicate no opinion on the issue.

Montana Geographic Names Advisor Recommendation - None (Friday, January 22, 2010)
Domestic Names Committee Decision Date - Thursday, May 13, 2010
Domestic Names Committee Discussion - A motion was made and seconded not to approve this new name, citing a lack of direct and/or long term association between the intended honoree and the feature.

Vote: 11 in favor
1 against
0 abstentions
The negative vote was cast in the belief that the name seems warranted.

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