The U.S. Forest Service is accepting public comments on a proposal to pave nearly 10 miles of Blacktail Road in Lakeside.
The Swan Lake Ranger District has released the environmental assessment for the road project, which seeks to stabilize and restore the road from milepost 3.5 to the top of Blacktail Mountain.
The project would provide long-term sustainable access for land management and public use, according to the Forest Service. Recent analysis and field reviews have found worn road surfacing, stability and erosion concerns, and concern for level of traffic service along Blacktail Road, the agency stated.
As part of the project, the agency would transfer jurisdiction of about 2 miles of road to Flathead County. It would reconstruct the road to accommodate a two-lane road with an asphalt surface while doing minor road alignments for safety and resource protection. The agency would also stabilize the fill slopes on a lower road segment above Stoner Creek and replace stream culverts as needed.
According to the Forest Service, the project would provide year-round access for recreation and commercial land management while mitigating safety factors.
The public comment period is open for 30 days.
Written, hand-delivered, and oral comments can be delivered to District Ranger, Rich Kehr at 200 Ranger Station Road, Bigfork, MT 59911; by fax (406)837-7503; or by phone at (406)837-7501. Submit electronic comments to [email protected] with the project name in the subject line.