Area trail projects selected for federal funding
MATT BALDWIN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years AGO
Runners make their way along the Whitefish Trail. (Heidi Desch/Whitefish Pilot file)
Hagadone Media Montana REGIONAL MANAGING EDITOR Matt Baldwin is the regional editor for Hagadone Media Montana, where he helps guide coverage across eight newspapers throughout Northwest Montana. Under his leadership, the Daily Inter Lake received the Montana Newspaper Association’s Sam Gilluly Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. A graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism, Baldwin has called Montana home for nearly 30 years. He and his wife, Sadie, have three daughters. He can be reached at 406‑758‑4447 or [email protected]. IMPACT: Baldwin’s work helps ensure Northwest Montana residents stay connected to their communities and informed about the issues that shape their everyday lives. | April 6, 2022 1:00 AM
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 [email protected]. Comments by regular mail should be sent to: Adam Brooks, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
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