Request seeks to build ATV track in Stillwater Forest

A request to develop an all-terrain vehicle track and camping area on state forestland just north of the Olney green-box garbage collection site has been submitted to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

Action Rentals is seeking a land use license to develop the track with associated trails and a camping area on 11.5 acres of state trust land in the Stillwater Unit. The proposed site is an old satellite log yard once used by American Timber in the 1980s and 1990s, according to the initial proposal with the DNRC.

The DNRC recently released a scoping notice for the proposal and is in the process of reviewing the project. Comments on the proposal are being accepted through Feb. 28.

The site sits between U.S. Highway 93 North and the Stillwater River near mile marker 141.

Action Rentals, which rents ATVs and watercraft, is proposing to develop and operate the track on 9 acres and the adjacent 1.5-acre primitive camping area, and an 1.5-mile ATV trail.

If approved, the area would be the primary location for outdoor equipment rentals such as ATVs and small watercraft such as kayaks, according to the initial proposal. The track and trail would be open to customers renting equipment and the general public for a fee. The track would also be used for special events with approval from the Stillwater Unit.

The DNRC notice says that the site’s location adjacent to Highway 93 about 14 miles north of Whitefish would make it easily accessible to user groups.

“Since there are a limited amount of ATV tracks and trails located in Northwest Montana, there is a high potential for motorized recreational use,” the DNRC notice states.

Action Rentals, it notes, is also interested in hosting rider safety courses to promote safe and responsible operation of ATVs.

Since the property is part of State Trust Lands, the DNRC is required to produce return to the beneficiary schools. If the license is approved, the financial return would be based on 5 percent annual fee based on the land value for the property, as well as, an associated fee per mile of trail.

The proposed project calls for the development of the ATV track, parking lot and spectator area. The track would be constructed of earthen materials and an underground watering system would be installed for dust control with water sourced from water tender vehicles.

A spectator area is proposed along the eastern edge of the 9-acre parcel on the hillside overlooking the track. Currently, the area consists of small diameter non-merchantable timer, according to the DNRC, and some trees and vegetation would be limbed or removed to create openings for seating areas.

The proposal calls for retaining an existing gate leading into the site that would be used to secure the area after hours. A building sitting on skids would be used as an office on site, and could be connected to power. Portable toilets would be available on site.

The camping area is proposed to be developed for primitive tent and trailer camping. The 1.5-acre area would require minimal removal of standing trees, down trees, debris and brush.

There is also an existing user-built hiking trail that accesses the Stillwater River, and under the proposal brush would be removed from that trail for easier access to the river to allow for transport of kayaks and paddle boards.

The majority of the 1.5-mile trail system would be located on old skid trails minimizing disturbance to vegetation and soil compaction.

The DNRC is in the scoping phase of the project. In preparation, specialists such as wildlife biologists, hydrologists, soil scientists, and archaeologists will be consulted.

For questions or comments related to this project, contact Nicole Stickney at nstickney@mt.gov or by calling 406-881-2666. Comments must be received no later than Feb. 28 to be considered. To be on the mailing list for the project, call 406-881-2666 during this same period.

To view the DNRC scoping notice, visit http://dnrc.mt.gov/public-interest/public-notices and click on Action Rentals ATV Track Proposal under Scoping Notices.