Lolo National Forest plans several improvement projects
The U.S. Forest Service has finalized a long list of overdue maintenance projects to be launched this year, including 54 in Montana.
The projects include trail maintenance, road resurfacing and extensive repairs of visitor facilities in the Lolo National Forest. The projects received funding under the Great American Outdoors Act that Montana's senators helped shepherd through Congress last year.
The landmark conservation law permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million per year with royalties from offshore oil and gas drilling. It also provides up to $9.5 billion over the next five years for overdue or "deferred" maintenance of national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and other public lands.
The Forest Service is a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Other public lands projects funded by the Great American Outdoors Act will be carried out by the U.S. Department of the Interior, which includes the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service.
Information from the Lolo National Forest indicates specific projects.
Here is a list:
Little Joe Road 282 Repairs
Superior Ranger District, Mineral County
Local communities rely on the recreation and commercial travel through this corridor which connects St. Regis to Avery, Idaho. The road also provide access to the St. Joe Scenic Highway and St. Joe National Recreation Area. This project will improve the overall road condition and drainage, which will reduce sediment in a priority watershed.
Route of the Olympian Rails to Trails Maintenance
Superior Ranger District, Mineral County
The Route of the Olympian Trail provides recreation access and connects rural communities, supporting the local economy year-round. This project will ensure that the historic railroad bed continues to provide safe access while mitigating sediment impacts to the St. Regis River.
Historic Savenac Recreation Rental Facility Maintenance
Superior Ranger District, Mineral County
Attracting over 4,500 visitors annually, Savenac Historic Tree Nursery was founded in 1907. Maintenance of this facility will ensure Savenac continues to operate as a cabin rental and visitor center for decades to come. This project will replace the water/wastewater system, furnaces, conduct electrical updates, window updates, and update parking areas.
Cedar Creek Road 320 Repairs
Superior Ranger District, Mineral County
Local communities rely heavily on the recreation, tourist, and vegetation management activities that are accessed by this road. The project will provide increased user safety by improving the surface and drainage of the road to reduce sediment and improve watershed conditions.
Fish Creek Road #343 Repairs
Ninemile Ranger District, Mineral County
The road is utilized for both recreation and commercial uses such as timber and outfitter and guiding and is a major recreation corridor between I-90 and Lolo Pass. This project will conduct bridge maintenance, improve road surface and drainage to reduce sediment in a priority watershed.
Thompson River Road 56 Repairs
Plains-Thompson Falls Ranger District, Sanders County
The project will improve road conditions to support recreation, tourism, and ongoing vegetation management activities in this travel corridor between Highway 200 and Highway 2. This project will improve the road surface, bridge, and drainage to reduce sediment in a priority watershed.
ACM Road 9991 Repairs
Plains-Thompson Falls Ranger District, Sanders County
This road provides important access and connection between Highway 200 and Highway 2 and supports recreation, tourism, and ongoing vegetation management activities in the area. The project will improve access, the road surface, drainage, and watershed conditions by reducing sediment.