Blacktail Road paving project moving forward

Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead National Forest has issued a draft decision to pave nearly 10 miles of Blacktail Road, from the pavement’s current end to the boundary with the ski area.

The Blacktail Road project area is located within the Island Unit of the Swan Lake Ranger District. The Island Unit is detached from the rest of Flathead National Forest and is surrounded by private lands.

The project would construct a two-lane asphalt surface from milepost 3.43 to milepost 13.21, stabilize fill slope movement above Stoner Creek, use re-vegetation to stabilize fill slopes, reconstruct ditches, install culverts and settlement basins and upgrade two stream crossings.

The forest’s environmental assessment resulted in a draft decision to proceed with the project. The agency will issue its final decision following a 45-day objection period. Objections will only be accepted from those who have previously submitted specific written comments regarding the proposed project during scoping or other designated opportunity for public comment.

Project documents and information on the objection process can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=48669, by calling 406-837-7500, or emailing rkehr@fs.fed.us.