DNRC seeking comments on next section of Whitefish Trail

The state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is taking comments on trail and recreation easements for a proposed section of the Whitefish Trail on the Stillwater State Forest.

The proposed section would connect Beaver Lakes to Swift Creek with a new trail and permanently protect 480 acres at Smith Lake.

DNRC is hosting a public open house to review the proposed easements at Whitefish City Hall on Thursday, July 13 from 4-7 p.m. The project is part of the Whitefish Legacy Partners Close the Loop project to create a trail around Whitefish Lake.

Legacy Partners are funding the purchase of the recreation easements from federal and state sources along with private donations.

Under a recreation use easement, .6 miles of existing trail under a land use license would be secured and 3.4 miles of new trail would be constructed.

Also included is parking and minor improvements to the Smith Lake parking area, a 25-foot pedestrian bridge across Smith Creek, a day use site adjacent to the east side of Smith Lake Dam, and a trailhead located on the East Smith Lake Road including a parking lot.

The proposal also calls for the purchase of a 16-foot wide trail easement on 8.2 miles of trails between the Whitefish Trail Swift Creek Trailhead and North Beaver Connection Trailhead. This would include 2.9 miles of existing trail under a land use license to be secured and 5.3 miles of new trail to be constructed.

Three bridges — over Swift Creek, Lazy Creek and the BNSF railroad tracks — would need to be built for connectivity from the Swift Creek Trailhead to the North Beaver Connection.

To view the scoping notice and map, visit http://dnrc.mt.gov/public-interest/public-notices.

Comments are being accepted until July 23 by mail to Nicole Stickney, Stillwater State Forest, P.O. Box 164, Olney, MT 59927 or by email at nstickney@mt.gov.