HELENA – Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) is seeking public comment on proposed Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grant applications for the current grant cycle which closed Jan. 31. Among the applicants are the Seeley Lake Driftriders, Seeley Lake Nordic Club, Seeley Lake ROCKS and Swan Valley Connections. Public comment on the proposed RTP grant applications is open through Monday, March 9 at 5 p.m.
RTP is a federally funded program administered by Montana State Parks which provides funding for trail and trail related projects across the state. Eligible projects include development and rehabilitation work on urban, rural and backcountry trails; planning and construction of community trails; snowmobile and cross-country ski trail maintenance and grooming operations; and a variety of trail stewardship and safety education programs.
This year, RTP received 70
grant applications requesting over $3.66 million. Non-motorized projects consist of 44 of the applicants and nearly $2,106,000 of the requested funding. There are 10 motorized projects for near $595,000 and 16 diversified projects for nearly $964,000. Approximately $1.5 million in funding is available this cycle.
The Seeley Lake Driftriders requested $57,000 for snowmobile trail grooming and maintenance near Seeley Lake, construction of grooming equipment, and trail research. In 2019 they received $45,000 in RTP funds for trail grooming and maintenance.
The Seeley Lake Nordic Ski Club applied for $6,830 for maintenance and grooming for the Nordic ski trails near Seeley Lake.
Seeley Lake ROCKS put in for $23,920 to assist with Phase 2 of the Hill 16 Community Trail. They are hoping to construct a half mile of trail adjacent to Placid Lake State Park and reconstruct 4.5 mile of old logging roads to usable trail tread. They received $30,000 last year for Phase 1 of the Hill 16 Community Trails construction.
Swan Valley Connections’ application was for $45,000 to clear and maintain approximately 92 miles of established trails in the Mission Mountains Wilderness and Swan Front trails. In 2019, they received $30,000 for the same projects.
A complete list of trails grant applicants under consideration is available online at: stateparks.mt.gov/recreation and click on ‘Recreational Trails Program’ and then ‘Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grants.’ Copies of individual RTP applications are available upon request at (406) 444-7642.
Public comments must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, March 9. To comment online visit stateparks.mt.gov and click on “Public Comment & Notices.” Or send comments by email to FWPRecreationalTrails@mt.gov.
Comments by regular mail should be sent to: Michelle McNamee, Montana State Parks, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
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