A showdown is brewing between the City of Whitefish and FWP after FWP denied a proposal to construct a section of trail near the Whitefish River.
View the communications below to get a sense of the conflict.
From the City of Whitefish:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Mayor John Muhlfeld, pursuant to § 7-5-
4102, MCA, hereby calls a special meeting of the City Council on Monday, March
31, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., in the Whitefish City Council Chambers at 418 East Second
Street and remotely via Microsoft Teams. The purpose of the special meeting is to
discuss the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ denial of the City’s
SPA 124 Permit application to construct a section of trail along the Whitefish
River connecting the existing trail on BNSF property near Railway Street
downstream to the existing trail terminus near Veterans Bridge on Second Street
and whether the City will agree to modify its plans or seek arbitration of FWP’s
decision.
Public comment will be taken at the special meeting. We encourage
individuals who wish to provide written public comment to provide an email to the
City Clerk at mhowke@cityofwhitefish.org by 4:00 p.m. on March 31, 2025, prior
to the meeting
Letter from FWP:
Whitefish City Council
418 E 2nd Street
Whitefish, MT 59937
Dear Council Members,
As you know, the City of Whitefish applied for a Montana Stream Protection Act permit (SPA 124 Permit) to construct a
section of trail along the Whitefish River connecting the existing trail on BNSF property near Railway Street downstream
to the existing trail terminus near the Veterans Bridge on Second Street.
Based on environmental review (EA) of the project, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks must deny the SPA 124 permit
application. While this decision was not taken lightly, I applaud your innovative idea to expand the Whitefish River Trail
and increase its connectivity throughout your community. That being said, FWP takes seriously its responsibility to
balance outdoor recreation and our state’s natural resources.
This decision rests on our responsibility to protect and conserve our fisheries and habitat. Our hard-working biologists
concluded this project would have long-term adverse impacts to the Whitefish River’s bed, banks, and fishery. Impacts
include major modifications to in-stream and bank habitat, and decreased bank stability resulting in erosion. The
proposed project footprint alone, including piers, asphalt, and the associated retaining walls, would result in direct loss
of significant riparian vegetation and increase erosion. In short, this project would fundamentally change the natural,
existing state of fish habitat in the project area.
encourage you to read the EA, Decision Notice, and alternative proposal including suggestions for achieving the goal
sought by the Council. At the very least, we can start thinking about and discussing different solutions to complete the
Whitefish River Trail, recognizing its importance to the community.
I appreciate the time and effort your community put forth in submitting proposal. As always, my door is always open.
Please reach out to me if you have any further questions.
Sincerely,
W
Adam Strainer
Fisheries Division Administrator
Full documents here.
