State Park land exchange proposed

Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) is seeking public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for a proposed Land Exchange at Lake Mary Ronan State Park located near Dayton. Comments will be accepted through Thursday, May 23 at 5 p.m.

The proposed project would exchange 0.51 acres of wooded uplands in Lake Mary Ronan State Park (LMR SP) for 0.38 acres of privately-owned lakefront which borders the park. The exchange would extend the state park shoreline by 286 feet.

In 2018, Montana State Parks was approached with a land exchange proposal from the Sandau family — who owns property bordering LMR SP. The Sandaus need additional width in their shoreline property to develop a drain field for a single residential dwelling that is compliant with state and county requirements. To accomplish this, they proposed trading private property which borders the existing LMR SP boating and day-use area for state park land immediately adjacent to their intended building site.

The 0.51 acres of parkland which would be exchanged has no developed amenities and sees little use by park visitors. The current park day-use area is quite small, and the additional shoreline footage would provide the opportunity to develop more shore fishing, while reducing congestion at the park’s current boat launch area.

To view a full copy of the environmental assessment visit stateparks.mt.gov and click “Public Comments & Notices.”

A public comment period will be open for 30 days. To comment visit stateparks.mt.gov and click “Public Comments & Notices” or send email to dlandstrom@mt.gov.

The public may also send written comments to: Lake Mary Ronan Land Exchange, Attn: Dave Landstrom, 490 N. Meridian Road, Kalispell MT 59901.

For questions about the draft EA or the public comment process, contact Dave Landstrom, Regional Park Manager, at 406-751-4574 or dlandstrom@mt.gov.