Tribal leaders to hold meeting on trail system

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes will hold a community outreach meeting on Wednesday to discuss a proposed trail system.

The meeting runs from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mission Valley Power, 65 Pablo West Road, in Pablo.

By this time next year tribal leaders hope construction will be underway on 34 miles of trail that would run between Interstate 90 and St. Ignatius alongside U.S. 93. Called The People’s Way, the trail would help connect already existing and planned multi-use paths from Hamilton to Glacier National Park. This is a historic travel route for the tribes, Casey Ryan of the tribes’ natural resources department said in a press release.

Tribal leaders want to restore a safe trail for people to move freely between towns on the reservation and beyond, Ryan said.

“Our ancestors have traveled this route, The People’s Way, on foot and horseback for generations,” Ryan said. “Re-establishing the option for non-motorized travel along The People’s Way will reconnect our communities and our families, improve physical health, and make it safer for our children and community members to run, walk, and bike to school, work and community events.”

The tribes have 48 letters from supporters, including Gov. Steve Bullock, Department of Transportation Director Mike Tooley and Missoula Mayor John Engen.

Tribal officials are applying again for a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grant that would help cover the $38 million cost.

Speakers at Wednesday’s meeting will talk about project specifics, address concerns and take feedback from attendees.