Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program seeks public comment on recommended 2022 awards

HELENA – After internal review and review by the State Trail Advisory Committee, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks recommends 30 applicants receive funding worth $1.44 million through the Montana Trail Stewardship Grant Program (MTSGP) for projects in 2022. Eligible projects include development and rehabilitation work on urban, rural, and backcountry trails; construction of community trails; and snowmobile and cross-country ski trail maintenance and grooming operations.

The MTSGP applications received this year came from a variety of applicants, including federal and state agencies, towns, cities, counties, recreational clubs, and nonprofit organizations.

Originally, FWP expected to be able to award just shy of $1.04 million using the portion of Montana’s light motor vehicle registration fee dedicated to MTSGP. However, additional revenue earmarked for the program from the taxation of recreational marijuana pushed that to $1.44 million in proposed awards.   

A list of the proposed grant recipients is available at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/trail-stewardship. Comments will be accepted online at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities; in writing sent to P.O. Box 200701 Helena, MT 59620-0701; and by email to: fwptrailgrants@mt.gov.

Comments will be accepted until May 26, at 5 p.m.