Montana State Parks (stateparks.mt.gov) is seeking public comment on 25 grant applications for Snowmobile Trail Grooming funds for the 2018-2019 winter season. Public comment will be accepted through Sunday, September 30, 2018 at 5pm.
The Montana Snowmobile Program, as administered by Montana State Parks, was established in the early 1970’s and is an essential component of both motorized and non-motorized winter recreational activities in the state. Montana’s groomed trails provide important access and recreational opportunities for users such as snowmobiles, cross-country skiers, snowboarders, dog-sleds, fat-tire bikes, and snowshoers.
Funding is provided annually to 25 local snowmobile clubs who conduct the grooming of over 4,000 miles of designated snowmobile trails throughout the state. The Montana Snowmobile Program is funded through a percentage of the state gas tax paid by snowmobile users, snowmobile registration fees, non-resident snowmobile temporary use permits, and resident groomed trail passes. The program is separate from Montana State Parks funding sources and revenues. About $407,000 is available for the upcoming season.
During the 2015-2016 winter season, Montana implemented the Montana Resident Groomed Trail Pass. The trail pass marked the first funding increase to the program in many years. The additional funding generated by the pass has helped increase all grooming grants and funded rebuilds of the Beaverhead and Bitterroot Snowmobile Club groomers.
A list of the proposed 2018/2019 winter season snowmobile grooming grant awards is available at stateparks.mt.gov under “Recreation Activities & Grants”. Public comment will be open for 30 days. Comments are accepted through Sunday, September 30, 2018 at 5:00pm.
To comment online visit: stateparks.mt.gov and click on “Public Notices” or by email at snowmobilegrants@mt.gov.
Send comments by mail to: Montana State Parks, Snowmobile Program, 1420 East 6th Avenue, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.
For more information about the Montana Snowmobile Program visit: http://stateparks.mt.gov/recreation/snowmobileProgram.html.
Or contact Seth McArthur, Montana Snowmobile Program Manager at (406) 444-3753.
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