Public Comment Sought on Bicycle Campsites at Area State Parks

HELENA – Montana State Parks (MSP) announced that public comment is being sought on a draft environmental assessment (EA) for proposed shared group bicycle campsites at four state parks in western Montana. The park locations are Whitefish Lake State Park near Whitefish, Mont .; Flathead Lake-Wayfarers State Park near Bigfork, Mont .; and Placid Lake and Salmon Lake Sate Parks near Seeley Lake.  Public comment will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m.

The proposed improvements include enhancing existing shared group bicycle campsites at Whitefish Lake and Wayfarers State Parks and construction of new, shared group bicycle campsites at Placid Lake and Salmon Lake State Parks. These campsites would be located in or adjacent to previously developed areas within each state park.

The existing sites would be enhanced with a bicycle rack, additional bear resistant food lockers, a potable water hydrant, a 12-foot by 16-foot covered shelter with picnic tables, a bicycle maintenance stand and two electrical outlets. The new sites would accommodate up to 10 tent spaces and include a fire ring and the same amenities proposed for the enhanced existing bicycle campsites.

The proposal would be funded by $200,000 from the Montana Department of Commerce. Because these are shared group sites that do not require space for a motor vehicle or camper parking, camping fees would be lower than standard campsite fees. Shared group bicycle sites would be available on a first come, first serve basis. The sites would also be available to campers arriving by other non-motorized means such as hiking or kayaks.

The proposed improvements at existing sites and construction of new shared group bicycle campsites at two additional state parks would address the increasing demand to accommodate touring bicyclists and help support bicycle tourism in Montana.

To view the EA visit: http://stateparks.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/environmental-assessments/pn_0051.html

To comment online visit stateparks.mt.gov and click on “submit comments” or by direct link here: http://stateparks.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/environmental-assessments/pn_0051.html

 Comments can also be sent by email to treilly@mt.gov, Subject: Bicycle Campsite EA, or by regular mail to: Bicycle Campsite EA, Montana State Parks,  PO Box 200701, Helena, MT, 59620-0701.