Community Briefs

Seeley Lake Library News

SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Library will discuss Mark Spragg’s “Where Rivers Change Direction” on Wednesday, March 15 at 11 a.m. In this memoir, Spragg describes growing up on the oldest dude ranch in Wyoming “with a family struggling against the elements and against themselves...”

Winner of the 2000 Mountains and Plains Booksellers Award, this book has been described as a moving, lyrical, sensuous elegy to Wyoming childhood and manhood. Books are available at the checkout desk. All are invited to join in the discussion.

The Seeley Lake Library is a branch of Missoula Public Library located at Seeley-Swan High School. The library is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

GPVFD Annual Pancake Breakfast, Feb. 25

POTOMAC - Join the Greenough Potomac Volunteer Fire Department Saturday, Feb. 25 from 9-11:30 a.m. for their annual free pancake breakfast at the Potomac Community Center. Residents can get their 2017 burn permits at no cost. Fire extinguishers can be refilled at the cost of the individual.

Kennecott Exploration Public Meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 28

POTOMAC - Kennecott Exploration will return to the Copper Cliff area outside Potomac to do mineral exploration this summer. Representatives will be present to discuss their plans and answer questions from the public at a meeting Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Blackfoot Church in Potomac.

As in the past, the Blackfoot Challenge will take notes and distribute those, along with Kennecott’s power point slides to anyone interested.

If interested in reviewing background on the project and previous meetings’ notes, please visit the Kennecott archive here: http://biz170.inmotionhosting.com/~blackf22/Clone//kennecott-exploration-annual-meeting-slides-and-notes-since-2012/

MDT Proposes Resurfacing Project for Montana Highway 83

SWAN LAKE - The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) would like to notify the public and seek comments on a proposal to resurface about 11.2 miles of Montana Highway 83 north of Lion Creek in Lake County. The project begins at the north end of the bridge over Lion Creek at reference post 54.0 and extends north for 11.2 miles, ending where the highway leaves the Flathead National Forest and enters the Swan River Wildlife Refuge at reference post 65.2.

Proposed work includes crack sealing, seal and cover (chip seal), upgraded pavement markings and a bridge deck crack seal. The purpose of the project is to enhance the safety of the traveling public and take a cost-effective action to prolong and preserve the existing pavement.

The project is tentatively scheduled for construction in 2019, depending on completion of all project development activities and availability of funding. No new right-of-way or utility relocations will be needed.

For more information, please contact Missoula District Administrator Ed Toavs at 406-523-5802 or Project Design Engineer Joshua Dold at 406-444-6385. Members of the public may submit written comments to the Montana Department of Transportation Missoula office at P.O. Box 7039, Missoula, MT  59807-7039, or online at: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/mdt/comment_form.shtml

Please note that your comments are for project UPN 9242000. Alternative accessible formats of this information will be provided upon request by contacting the Office of Civil Rights, P.O. Box 201001, Helena, MT 59620; 406-444-9229; fax 406-444-7243, or e-mail to aflesch@mt.gov. Those using a TTY may call 800-335-7592 or through the Montana Relay Service at 711.

Decision Signed for the Blacktail Road Restoration and Stabilization Project

KALISPELL - Swan Lake District Ranger Richard Kehr signed the Decision Notice and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Blacktail Road Restoration and Stabilization Project. The decision authorizes implementation of several activities to stabilize and restore nearly 10 miles of road. The Blacktail Road, Road #917 is located within the Island Unit of the Swan Lake Ranger District in Flathead County, west of Flathead Lake.

The road serves as the primary access to National Forest System lands in the Blacktail Mountain area, providing access to the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, motorized and non-motorized trail systems, the Blacktail Mountain Nordic Cross-Country Ski Trail System and other recreation such as huckleberry picking, hiking and pleasure driving. Blacktail Road is a primary route for Forest Service management activities in the area, provides access to the communication facilities on top of Blacktail Mountain and provides access to adjacent private lands. 

The project addresses needed work to provide long-term, sustainable access for land management and public use and enjoyment of national forest lands in the Blacktail Mountain area. Project activities include reconstructing the road to accommodate a standard two lane road with an asphalt surface from the end of the county road to the Blacktail Ski Area boundary; stabilizing fill slope movement above Stoner Creek; stabilizing and revegetating several cut and fill slopes along the road; improving road drainage and replacing two stream crossings. Use of an existing gravel pit in the area will generate material for the roadwork. Once the gravel pit use is completed, the area will be restored to use as a toboggan/sled play area.

 The updated Environmental Assessment and Decision Notice/FONSI can be found on the web at http://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=48669. Documents are also available for review at the Swan Lake Ranger Station, 200 Ranger Station Road, Bigfork, MT, 59911. Additional information can be obtained at the above address, by calling 406-837-7500 or emailing rkehr@fs.fed.us