A decision on a project that would open what will be called the Route of the Olympian is coming closer.

Since the mid-90s, the Lolo National Forest Superior Ranger District held collected public comment as part of its analysis of the trail that would run from the Hiawatha parking lot to outside St. Regis.

District Ranger Tawnya Brummett said the district has received nearly 300 comments from locals, as well as from residents in Coeur d'Alene, Spokane, Helena and Missoula.

Brummett said she has listened to all input and will make the decision that meets as many people's needs as possible.

"I don't want anyone feeling like we are not listening to them," Brummett said "because it's important. It's right in everyone's backyards. It's important to the community."

During the latest comment period, which ran from Sept. 23 to Nov. 15, five alternatives were discussed for possible uses of the Route. Each alternative covers how the Route will be used in each season and what types of vehicles will be allowed in each segment of the Route.

Brummett said she can combine the alternatives.

The process of connecting and opening the Route of the Olympian for public use started in the mid-1990s. At that time, the Lolo National Forest owned 12 pieces of the route, but 35 pieces are needed to complete the route.

"Nobody realized they were trespassing," said Beth Kennedy, a Wildlife and Recreation staff member. "Out of 12 pieces, two were legal. People had to cross private land."

Kennedy has worked with the Route of the Olympian project from the beginning. In 2007, the Forest Service purchased five pieces and in 2009 it added another seven. The Forest Service continued to purchase land along the route and now is looking at getting the last two pieces squared away by next year.

The last two pieces, in what is called a complicated puzzle, are the Saltese Trestle and private land by Two Mile, called Wolf Track.

Once those final pieces are completed, Brummett said the route has great potential for the area.

"We are going to have one of the most unique recreation trails in the county," Brummett said.