SEELEY LAKE – The March 12 meeting of the Seeley Lake Community Council heard reports on four in-progress projects, proposals related to mushroom harvesting and an update on the efforts of the Trails Committee.
Scott Newpower disclosed plans to build a roofed, open air, regulation size hockey rink. Seeley Lake School Superintendent Chris Stout has given permission to construct it in the field along School Lane. The primary goal of the project is to provide youngsters with a no-cost winter activity, though initially they will need to provide their own skates. The long-term goal is to create a refrigerated rink and develop hockey and figure skating programs.
Newpower said it is cost effective to install the underground pipes at the time the rink is built, even though there are no plans to hook up the compressor unit until later. The rink organizers are at the stage where they are seeking help with fundraising, as well as volunteer support from builders, electricians, plumbers and similar professionals.
Jessica Kimmel is spearheading a group interested in renaming Highway 83 Glacier Parkway. People from all over the United States and abroad travel through Seeley Lake to get to Glacier National Park each year. Identifying Seeley Lake as a stopover along the route may entice tourists to shop, dine, spend the night, or even recreate here before continuing to or from the park.
Kimmel urged anyone living or having a business on Highway 83 to add the words "Glacier Parkway" to their address and business cards. She said it costs nothing and the more people who do it, the more it will become accepted. Once accepted as common usage, it will be easier to get official state recognition.
Seeley Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lisa Hayhurst introduced the new Chamber website. Hayhurst noted that the Chamber had already taken Kimmel's advice and put Glacier Parkway on its website and on the new map identifying local businesses. She announced the Chamber adopted a new logo, has an interactive tourism app and is accessible on Facebook and Instagram.
Hayhurst also said an organizational meeting to plan Fourth of July activities will be held April 2 at the Filling Station at 6 p.m. The Chamber is sponsoring a poster contest. The winner will receive $25 and the poster will be published in the Seeley Swan Pathfinder. Rules: poster must have a theme; wording must include Seeley Lake 4th of July Celebration, 2018; size 4 inches X 8 inches; open to any age; deadline May 4; drop off at Citizens Alliance Bank.
Klaus von Stutterheim asked whether an event calendar was available on the Chamber website. Hayhurst responded that it depended on a business's level of membership. Any posting over the free amount associated with the member's tier level will be charged five dollars. She also noted that the Chamber event page will provide a hyperlink to the Pathfinder's event page.
In Auguste Lockwood's absence, council member Lee Boman presented Lockwood's idea of having an electric car charging station in Seeley Lake. Boman said there may not be a preponderance of electric cars in Seeley Lake at present but there will be in the future. Perhaps more importantly, visitors traveling Glacier Parkway in an electric car will be looking for a place to charge up. Charging time will give them an opportunity to wander around town and perhaps buy goods and services.
Boman said the actual chargers are not very expensive and added, under the right circumstances, Tesla will fund it. Meeting attendee Mark Hayden, General Manager of Missoula Electric Coop, said the Montana Department of Environmental Quality also has money available for electric vehicle charging stations and a grant is being sought for Seeley Lake.
Seeley Lake District Ranger Rachel Feigley spoke about the plentiful crop of mushrooms expected in the wake of the summer fires. Because mushrooms are considered a forest product, harvesters must obtain a permit from the Forest Service. Permits range from quantity permits for a fee to commercial harvest permits.
Feigley said there are pros and cons to commercial harvesting: it could bring business into the community, it could also create problems for the community if not managed. In an effort to prevent potential problems, the Forest District is considering defining an area from the northwest end of the Rice Ridge fire to Morrell Creek Road as a commercial harvesting site. The Westside Bypass Trailhead is proposed as a campsite for this group. The campsite would be supplied by the Forest Service with porta-potties and bear-resistant dumpsters. Feigley said the proposals require a formal scoping process in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. This means the USFS is seeking input from the public to determine possible issues and negative impacts. While Feigley is uncertain how many permits will be issued, all commercial pickers will need one permit per person and be required to show identification when they get their permit. Additional law enforcement will be brought in if needed.
Community Council Trails Committee member Ron Cox discussed attempts to get funding for the proposed airport trail pathway. He said the Missoula County Parks and Trails Bond Project still has money available but requires the group seeking funding to contribute a match equaling five times as much as the Trails Bond contributes. That requirement makes it virtually impossible for Seeley Lake to qualify for funding. However, Cox estimates approximately $30,000 worth of work already has been done to establish trails around the town. If the Trail Bond committee can be convinced to accept that as match funds, it might be possible to get grant money from them.
Cox also noted that the highway pathway through Seeley Lake is showing evidence of wear and repairing it will need to be on the agenda in the near future. He also mentioned the trail recommendations resulting from the Clearwater Resource Council Trails Advisory Council and said the Community Council needs to decide if they want to continue with their own Trails Committee or merge with the other group.
Von Stutterheim said, "We can't really dissolve the Trails Committee because they have $10,000. If they dissolve, it goes back to the county."
Feigley said two projects identified by the Trails Advisory Council were making the trail to the 1,000-year-old western larch in the Girard Grove handicap accessible, and redoing some of the Seth Diamond interpretations. She said if the Community Council's Trails Committee wanted to work on those, the Forest District would certainly be receptive.
Von Stutterheim reported virtually every candidate for every office has agreed to be present at the Meet the Candidates Forums scheduled for April 9 and April 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Community Hall.
Boman notified the Council of a public meeting to discuss the zoning variance proposed by the developers of the proposed Swan Mountain Estates. The meeting is scheduled for March 20 at 3 p.m. in Deer Lodge. Boman said he would be attending.
The Council agreed that he should be there as a private citizen, not as a representative of the Council. If he subsequently feels something should be brought to the attention of the Seeley Lake community, the Council may decide to call for a special meeting.
The next council meeting is the candidate forum Monday, April 9 and will include candidates for the US Senate, Missoula County Commissioner, Missoula County Sheriff and Seeley Lake District Fire Board Elections.
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