"We do know that lynx, grizzlies, wolves, bald eagles, and bull trout all live in that area," said Glacier National Park spokesperson Melissa Wilson.
In winter the area is also home to elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and wolverines.
Scientists aren't sure, but they believe that some of these animals might be hunting in the region, while others might be building dens to raise their young.
John Weaver is a wildlife biologist with the Bronx, New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society.
Weaver notes that mountain goats are frequently spotted in and around the avalanche pathways in the southern edge of Glacier National Park.
"The goats are active all winter, so that might be a concern," he said.
Thompson, of the National Parks Conservation Association, says his organization wants the railroad to take a more passive approach to protecting its tracks.
Specifically, he says, the group wants BNSF to build more snow sheds along the route.
Snow sheds are structures that cover railroad tracks to prevent accidents in areas where the lines pass through avalanche zones.
The sheds have been the primary protection employed by railroads that cross the Rocky Mountains—which include Glacier National Park—for more than a hundred years (related photo: steam locomotive pulling through the Colorado Rockies).
Analyzing Alternatives
BNSF's request to blast stems from an incident in 2004 when one of its trains was stopped near Stevens Canyon by an avalanche that had buried the tracks.
While stopped, the train was hit by another avalanche that derailed 15 cars in two places. Train traffic, including Amtrak passenger trains, was halted in both directions for 29 hours during the cleanup.
Today traffic along the park's southern border is heavier than it ever has been, says Gus Melonas, a spokesperson for BNSF. More than 40 trains cross near the area every day.
Melonas says that the company already maintains 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) of snow sheds along the mile (1.6 kilometers) of track where avalanches are most likely.
But one of the sheds on the BNSF line was destroyed by fire. And some avalanche paths have become wider than the existing sheds, requiring extensions to be constructed for full protection.
Repairs and additional construction of sheds along this section of railroad would cost an estimated $110 million (U.S.).
BNSF proposed blasting rather than building more snow sheds, he said, because building would be "too time-consuming and too expensive.
"[Blasting] is proven and safe and used throughout North America," he said. "With more trains running these days, there is an increased chance of there being another accident. It is all about safety."
Park officials have been studying the BNSF proposal and will issue a report on the potential impacts to Glacier's human visitors and animal inhabitants.
Wilson, the park spokesperson, says that the park has analyzed several alternatives.
In addition to BNSF's proposal, park managers are also considering the construction of more snow sheds, blasting using nonmilitary explosives for a limited period of time, and taking no action at all.
The park will release a draft environmental impact statement at the end of the month.
The public then has 60 days to comment on the preferred course of action before park officials make a final decision.
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