FWP Seeks Public Comment On Recommended Awards For The Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment related to the environmental impacts of the proposed list of funding awards for the 2024 Trail Stewardship Program (TSP) grant cycle. This year the program is recommending $2,000,000 in grant funds to 36 projects around the state.

In total, FWP received 40 applications requesting $2.33 million in funding. Applications were submitted by federal and state agencies, towns, cities, counties, recreational clubs and nonprofit organizations. Eligible projects include development and rehabilitation work on urban, rural, and backcountry trails; construction of new trails and facilities; and snowmobile and cross-country ski trail maintenance and grooming operations.

The Town Of Fort Peck submitted an application for the construction of a 1.3 mile gravel pedestrian walking path for the amount of $100,000 and was proposed to receive the full funding.

The 2024 application process was highly competitive with many strong projects proposed. FWP staff conducted an internal review and scoring of applications. In addition, State Trails Advisory Committee (STAC) members reviewed applications and met March 5 and 6 in Great Falls to provide feedback on projects and make recommendations to FWP for distribution of the funds.

A list of all proposed grant recipients is available at: fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/trail-stewardship/public-comment. Some projects are proposed to receive full funding, while others are proposed to receive partial awards.

Comments will be accepted in writing to P.O. Box 200701 Helena, MT 59620-0701, and by email to: [email protected].

Comments will be accepted until Wednesday, April 3, at 5 p.m.