SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake ROCKS is thrilled to be building non-motorized, multi-use recreation trails near Placid Lake State Park in the Hill-16 recreation area. We cleared more than two miles of old logging roads last fall and will continue our work this spring and summer. Funding will allow us to construct three and a half miles of new connector trails, vastly improve the logging road trails and to construct three trailhead parking areas. [You can help promote our grant application at the end of this article.]
ROCKS' Hill-16 Community Trails System (Hill-16 CTS) will include at least two phases. On Phase 1, we are blessed to be working with a great partner, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), on their land closer to Placid Lake. We are also excited to be working with Placid Lake State Park, and Placid Lake Homeowner's Association. We hope to implement Phase 2 on Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation land closer to Seeley Lake after DNRC completes an ongoing timber project in the area (pending DNRC's analysis and approval).
Hill-16 CTS was deemed a priority project in the Seeley Lake Trails Plan. This plan was the result of three years of locally led public outreach and facilitated discussion.
Hill-16 CTS will:
• Give local residents and visitors new opportunities for shorter hikes. The east end of the Owl Creek Trail will be three and a half miles from Cory's Valley Market, making it easily accessible for a leisurely walk, an after-work walk or a dog walk.
• Greatly enhance trail use opportunities adjacent to Placid Lake State Park. There will be trails from a half a mile long to approximately five miles long. Some trails will have beautiful lake views.
• Work to blend responsible forest and wildlife stewardship, with responsible recreational use of the land to enhance the land values and the local economy.
• Provide an outdoor experience for handicapped users by including an all-abilities trail adjacent to Placid Lake State Park and only seven and a half miles from Seeley Lake.
• Improve conditions for bikers. Multi-use non-motorized trails that will improve routes for bikers. For example, a trail from Highway 83 to Placid Lake State Park parallels the existing vehicle road to the state park and will allow a traffic free alternative to access the park.
• Will respect wildlife. Most of the trails will be low-elevation trails that avoid deer and elk range. The Lake View Trail will be closed in the winter to protect wildlife. Trail use guidelines will require dog leashes and/or voice command of all dogs to protect wildlife.
• Be a catalyst for other future phases, allowing better access for the citizens and visitors to Clearwater Valley.
Placid Lake State Park has approximately 65,000 visitors a year, making it one of Montana's most popular state parks. The "Montana Parks In Focus Commission" survey found that 90 percent of Montana State Park visitors use recreational trails. Statewide it was their number one priority when visiting state parks.
Although Placid Lake State Park has a high concentration of visitors, there are very few close recreational trails. This inadvertently encourages visitors to create their own "rogue" trails and to trespass on private property in the area. The proposed Hill 16 CTS will provide wonderful new opportunities for responsible recreation, encourage visitors to stay longer and will enhance the local economy.
FUNDING: First, ROCKS is pleased to announce that the Seeley Lake Community Foundation awarded it $2,000 to purchase pulaskis and other equipment for our trail work.
ROCKS has also applied for a $68,498 Recreation Trails Program (RTP) grant administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Earlier, the Pathfinder reported that 76 groups had applied for grants totaling $3.56 million, but only $1.5 million in funding was available. Actually, the competition is far tougher. Non-motorized trail users are allotted 30 percent of the total funds or approximately $450,000. Applications in this category total $2.48 million. This means there are $5.50 in requests, for reach $1 awarded to non-motorized users.
You can help our funding chances by commenting at http://stateparks.mt.gov/. On the right side click on "Public Comment & Notices." At the bottom of the paragraph "Click to Submit Comments online." Comments are due by 5 p.m. Saturday, March 9.
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