Trio of Northwest Montana snowmobile clubs poised to receive state funding
Katelynn Benward, 12, of Kalispell, a member of the Flathead Snowmobile Association, gives a ride to Jenny Hill of Kalispell on Saturday morning at Centennial Farms.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is accepting public comment on its 2024 snowmobile grant proposals, a process that could see thousands of dollars headed to local organizations.
Flathead Snowmobile Association in Kalispell, the Lincoln County Sno-Kats in Libby and the Ten Lakes Snowmobile Club in Eureka could potentially receive a combined $39,700 in grant awards.
Montana’s Snowmobile Program received 25 grant requests and proposes to award $460,000 to clubs across the state. The awards are allocated by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks with recommendations from a citizen-led Snowmobile Advisory Committee.
“The main purpose of the snowmobile grants are to fund grooming in these different areas,” said Seth McArthur, Snowmobile Program manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. “The program was established in 1970, so it has been around for a long time.”
Once the comment period ends on Sept. 18, they will be submitted to the Snowmobile Advisory Committee. The committee advises the state wildlife agency on snowmobile issues across Montana relating to the funding, development, renovation, maintenance, management and use of snowmobile trails.
They are currently accepting applications to serve on the statewide group.
Eureka is getting a new groomer this year, McArthur said, an acquisition that the advisory board recommended to state officials.
There are 26 big groomers in the system owned by the state. A few clubs have their own groomers, including Flathead Snowmobile Association. While it isn’t essential for a club to have their own groomer, McArthur said that access to one gives a club more flexibility.
“These are volunteers, these people for the most part aren’t paid folks, they’re all volunteer clubs, they just love snowmobiling,” McArthur said. “It’s a huge benefit to the state and to small communities.”
As it stands currently, the Flathead Snowmobile Association would receive $21,000, Lincoln County Sno-Kats would net $8,700 and Ten Lakes Snowmobile Club would land $10,000.
The goal, according to McArthur, is to ensure that the trails are groomed, open and safe.
The money comes from snowmobile registrations, trail passes and a small amount of the state’s gas tax. The funds support projects outside of grooming, including trail maintenance, signs, ethics education and avalanche safety.
To submit comments online and learn more about the proposed grants, visit fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/grant-programs/snowmobile. Public comments will be accepted through Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 5 p.m.
Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.