May 25 – U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke asked the House Appropriations Committee Friday to approve nearly $50 million for 15 infrastructure projects in western Montana, including one in Flathead County, one in Lake County and two in Lincoln County.
The purpose of the projects, according to Zinke’s office, is to support transportation and infrastructure, water systems and law enforcement equipment. The projects extend to 10 provinces.
“The infrastructure and public service needs of rural Montana are different than those of Miami or Phoenix, and by leveraging my position on the Appropriations Committee, I can ensure that our tax dollars are spent on projects that benefit our taxpayers support,” Zinke said in a statement. .
Zinke, a Republican, is asking for $1,936,170 to add or replace guardrails on North Fork Road in Flathead County. Zinke’s office described the road as a critical access to year-round recreational and timber industry activities, as well as to Glacier National Park. According to Zinke’s office, the road’s existing guardrail has exceeded its useful life.
The project, if approved, would renew 6.1 kilometers of roadway.
In Lake County, the congressman is requesting $1,604,500 to establish a new invasive species inspection station in place of the current station in Ravalli. The existing station, operated by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, is the only station that operates 24 hours, 7 days a week during the boating season and yet lacks permanent infrastructure and weather protection, Zinke said.
Officials in Lincoln County hope to expand and modernize the Troy airport, seeking $820,319 to repair the runway. Zinke also requested $1,500,000 to convert the Troy branch of the Lincoln County Library into the Troy Library and Opportunity Center, with facility upgrades.
Lake and Lincoln counties were also two of five counties to receive funding to improve local law enforcement. The first grouped request, which includes Beaverhead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral and Sanders counties, asks for just over $2 million to promote continuity of equipment, including patrol vehicles, body scanners, radios and vests.
The second part, totaling $322,000, if awarded, would provide law enforcement capabilities to those same five counties.
The requests were made through the U.S. House of Representatives’ Community Funding Requests, which allow Congress to transfer appropriations from specific grant accounts to eligible projects. Projects must be approved by the House Appropriations Committee and the full House of Representatives and must be included in the joint funding package signed by the President.
Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.
