Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
City Of Glasgow Awarded $75,000 For Sullivan Park Trail Project
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced on May 19 that 31 trail organizations, communities and various land-managing agencies throughout Montana will receive Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program (MTSGP) grant awards for their projects in 2023. The Trail Stewardship Grant Program provides funds for the development, renovation and maintenance of land for recreational trails.
Fifty-one MTSGP applications were received this year from a variety of eligible applicants, including federal and state agencies, towns, cities, counties, private clubs and nonprofit organizations.
The City of Glasgow was one of the recipients to receive funds. They were awarded $75,000 for the Sullivan Park Trail Project which will allow the city to improve the current trail.
The Trail Stewardship Program was established following the 2019 Legislative Session when Senate Bill 24 was passed into law and is administered by Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP). Funding for TSP comes from a portion of Montana’s $9 light vehicle registration fee, as well as a portion of marijuana tax revenue. The program provides grant funding for trail and trail-related projects across the state.
Eligible funding areas include new trail and shared-use path construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of trails and shared-use paths, including winter grooming as well as construction and maintenance of trailside and trailhead facilities. The maximum awards provided are $75,000 with a 10 percent of total project cost match requirement. Since it’s establishment TSP has awarded approximately $2.6 million to 73 projects across the state focused on development, renovation and maintenance.
FWP held a public comment period for all 2023 TSP proposed awards beginning April 27 through May 11. The comment period was used to gather comments related to environmental impact concerns. During the public comment period, FWP received 42 comments which were solicited by press release and submitted through FWP’s website.
The public comments received during the comment period ranged in subject matter and length. Ahandful of comments provided notes of support for specific trail projects listed, while others presentedquestions about the overall funding amount for the 2023 grant cycle.
Eleven comments received were in support of trail projects in Fort Benton, Havre, Mineral County, the Bridger Mountains, and the Big Belt Mountains. Many comments emphasized support for the collaborative nature of these projects, as well as the increased connectivity to existing trail systems that will result from project implementation. FWP responded by thanking the commentors for their participation and support of the Trails Stewardship Grant Program.
Based on review of the project applications and environmental review materials, eligibility requirements, application scoring, STAC discussion and recommendations, diversity in opportunity type and location, funding availability, and public comments received, it is the decision of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, to approve the 2023 awards for Trail Stewardship Grant Program.
The MTSGP current awards total approximately $955,000 in state funds. Grants funds are allocated to the highest-scoring projects based upon their relative scores and State Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) recommendations.
A list of the successful 2023 MTSGP grant recipients is available at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/trail-stewardship; click on “2023 Grant Application Cycle.”
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