Whitefish sets special meeting to discuss state’s denial of Whitefish River trail connection

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has denied Whitefish’s request to complete the Riverbend-Miles portion of its trail along the Whitefish River saying it would negatively impact the wildlife habitat of the river.  

The agency’s environmental review found “significant adverse impacts on the human environment associated with the proposed action from degradation of fish and game habitat.” 

Mayor John Muhlfeld has called for a special meeting on Monday, March 31, at 5:30 p.m. in the Whitefish City Council chambers to discuss the denial. City Council in May voted to proceed with the application process for a 124 permit to complete the trail system.  

The section of trail would connect the river trail from the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge underpass to the BNSF Railway loop trail. Currently, the trail ends and users must climb stairs or cross over U.S. 93 and climb the hill that is Miles Avenue to rejoin the trail.  

Adam Strainer, fisheries division administrator for the state agency, wrote in a letter dated March 20, that while he applauds the city’s innovative idea to expand the river trail and increase connectivity throughout the community, FWP takes seriously its responsibility to balance outdoor recreation and the state’s natural resources.  

“This decision rests on our responsibility to protect and conserve our fisheries and habitat,” Strainer said. “Our hard-working biologists concluded this project would have long-term adverse impacts to the Whitefish River’s bed, banks and fishery.” 

Strainer lists impacts such as major modifications to the stream and bank habitat and decreased bank stability resulting in erosion. The project would “result in direct loss of significant riparian vegetation and increase erosion,” he wrote. “In short, the project would fundamentally change the natural, existing state of fish habitat in the project area.”  

Whitefish considered four options for the stringers and decking before settling on the rejected plan that used a steel support structure with a precast concrete decking. The plan also utilized helical piers to cause less of a disturbance to the riverbed than other types of piers. 

The permit decision notice, signed by Dave Landstrom, acting Region One supervisor for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, suggests the city create a new design that “avoids permanent and intensive infrastructure below the ordinary high-water mark.” 

The state agency suggests an alternative route for the path along the top of the bank west of the Miles Avenue Condominiums and east of the Riverbend Condominiums. The state’s plan calls for the trail near the southwest corner of the Riverbend Condominiums to drop on to the riverbank and then pass through two switchbacks connecting to the existing trail at the Veterans Memorial Bridge underpass. 

The trail would still meet the city’s desire to develop an Amercian with Disabilities Act accessible path in the section, FWP notes in the environmental assessment.  

In 2022, the council voted unanimously to proceed with an elevated path for the Riverbend Trail. The council last year directed staff to proceed with final engineering and submittal of a permit for the plan. 

A Stream Protection Act or 124 permit is required for any project that may affect the natural shape and form of any stream, its banks or tributaries.