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Missoula County approves up to $250,000 for Seeley Lake trail system
Summary
The Missoula County commissioners approved a resolution to spend up to $250,000 from the 2014 Parks and Trails bond to support the Seeley Lake Trail System, a proposed 30‑mile multi‑use network on Lolo National Forest land backed by local volunteers and the U.S. Forest Service.
Missoula County commissioners voted March 26 to approve using up to $250,000 from the 2014 Parks and Trails bond to help build the Seeley Lake Trail System, a proposed 30‑mile multi‑use network on Lolo National Forest land.
The request was presented by project proponents and partners, who told the board the total project budget is about $1.5 million and that county funds would cover a portion of phase‑one construction. "We're excited to bring to you a trails bond program project proposal," said Nick Zanettis, the applicant representative, during the meeting's presentation. The presentation and a later motion specified the county contribution as "up to $250,000." The bond source is the 2014 Fort Missoula Parks and Trails bond, county staff said.
Project representatives said Seeley Lake Montana Trails has assembled a broad team of partners, including the Lolo National Forest (which has approved the project on Forest Service land), Radius Trail Solutions, the Seeley Lake Nordic Club, the Seeley Lake Community Foundation and local businesses. "This is a big deal for Seeley Lake," said Kathy Kahle of Seeley Lake Montana Trails, noting volunteers and local funding already in place. She described a phased buildout where phase one establishes a backbone trail network, followed by loops and more advanced features in later phases.
Kevin Doughty of the Forest Service said the agency is supportive and described staff participation in trail work and the planning process. Presenters said volunteers built roughly 1.6 miles last year, the group has purchased an excavator for trail construction, and organizers estimate they could put 18 miles of trail on the ground in about 18 months if county funding and partnerships come together.
A commissioner moved to approve the resolution authorizing expenditure of 2014 County Parks and Trails bond funds to pay up to $250,000 for trail and facility improvements at the Seeley Lake Trail System project; a second was recorded and the board approved the motion by voice vote. Public commenters voiced support before the vote. The meeting did not record a roll‑call tally; county staff characterized the approval as passed by voice vote.
Next steps include formalizing the expenditure and proceeding with the funded phase of work in coordination with the Forest Service, project managers and community volunteers. Project partners said they will continue fundraising for the remaining budget.
