Salish Point planning moves forward
POLSON - With the public comment period over, the paperwork part of the Salish Point improvement project is moving forward, with other parts due to follow next spring - depending on funding.
That was the word this week from Tom McDonald of the Salish Point Committee and Rose Leach, NEPA (National
Environmental Policy Act) Compliance Program Manager for the Tribes' Natural Resources Department.
Alternative "E" is the officially preferred plan for the long neglected Polson lakefront property between KwaTaqNuk Resort and Sacajawea Park. The plan calls for an improved road, better parking areas, enhanced green space, a restored gravel beach to replace a crumbling wooden sea wall, and boat slips.
The next step, according to McDonald and Leach, is having the Bureau of Indian Affairs Superintendent sign an official "Finding of No Significant Impact."
Alternative "E" involves a new road to be built on the hill off Kootenai Avenue, with traffic flowing one way down the hill. The exit will be to the west (toward Sacajawea Park) along the one-way road, located at the base of the hill.
Parallel truck-trailer parking will be allowed on the north side of the hill road as well as above Sacajawea Park.
This alternative avoids the need to go back out on U.S. 93 for boat retrieval and park use, and also provides a direct line-of-sight transition between the east and west parts of the area.
Also, the preferred plan eliminates the need for visitors to use KwaTaqNuk Resort's roadways.
Among the amenities included in the plan are: boat slips on the west side (south of the current city dock); handicapped access; pedestrian paths; restrooms; stairs down the hill; picnic tables; gazebo huts; pump-out station; artwork; and interpretive signs.
Leach reported this week that during the public comment period one comment was received, about the need for another place for boat trailer parking due to safety concerns.
The large public pier, safety dock, and boat slips off "Castle Rock" on the east end of Salish Point will be one of the first areas of improvement completed, McDonald said.
Swimming area buoys will be placed from the new pier to the existing city dock, to mark the designated swimming area in front of a newly restored gravel beach. A new swimming platform is also due to go in, in the new swimming area.
The Salish Point Committee is currently working on a fundraising campaign in which Missoula artist Monte Dolack is designing a poster, and signing some of them. The posters will be offered for sale, with proceeds going to the Salish Point improvement project.