Area trail projects selected for federal funding
Runners make their way along the Whitefish Trail. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot file)
A number of trail projects in Northwest Montana are set to receive a shot of funding through the federal Recreational Trails Program.
The program provides funding for trail and trail-related projects across the state, and is administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. For 2022, about 32 projects will divvy up $1.5 million in awards.
In Northwest Montana the largest award was given to Flathead Land Trust. The conservation group was selected to receive $100,000 for the Bigfork-Harrell Forest Community Trails. The project would create over 4 miles of new community trails and permanently protect 236 acres of forestland in Bigfork, according to the Land Trust.
The Flathead Snowmobile Association was selected to receive a $75,000 award for trail grooming and equipment maintenance, while the Glacier Nordic Club is set to receive $32,600 for trail grooming and equipment.
Foy’s to Blacktail would get $71,560 for trail construction on Emmons Ridge, while $72,250 is slated to go to Gateway to Glacier Trail for the expansive Crystal Cedar trail project north of Columbia Falls. In Whitefish, $45,000 will go toward new trail development in the Beaver Lakes area of the Whitefish Trail network.
The Flathead Avalanche Center is slated to pocket $45,000 for forecast and safety projects.
On the Lolo Forest, $96,775 will go to construction of the Route of the Olympian Trailhead in St. Regis, while $95,3997 is pegged for relocating the Iron Mountain trailhead to increase capacity and decrease user conflict on the Plains/Thompson Falls district.
About $22,000 is penciled in for maintenance at French Lake in the Ninemile Ranger District.
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is set to receive $65,000 for trail maintenance, as well.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is taking public comment on the grant recommendations through April 26 at 5 p.m.
A complete list of recommended projects is available online at: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/recreational-trails, under the “2022 Grant Application Cycle” tab.
To comment, email FWPFACB@mt.gov. Comments by regular mail should be sent to: Adam Brooks, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.