U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke asked the House Appropriations Committee on 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 goal 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 counties. 

“Rural Montana’s infrastructure and public service needs are different than those of Miami or Phoenix, and taking advantage of my position on the Appropriations Committee allows me to make sure our tax dollars are spent on projects that support our taxpayers,” said Zinke 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 providing crucial access to year-round recreational activities and timber industry operations as well as to Glacier National Park. The road’s existing guardrail has surpassed its service life, according to Zinke’s office. 

The project, if approved, would update 3.71 miles of roadway. 

In Lake County, the congressman is requesting $1,604,500 for the creation of a new invasive species inspection station in place of a current station in Ravalli. The existing station, under the management of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, is the only station to operate 24 hours, 7 days a week during boating season, and yet lacks permanent infrastructure and weather protection, according to Zinke. 

Officials in Lincoln County are hoping to expand and update the Troy Airport, with $820,319 requested to repair the runway. Zinke also requested $1,500,000 to turn the Troy branch of the Lincoln County Library into the Troy Library and Opportunity Center, with facility upgrades. 

Lake and Lincoln Counties also were two of five counties awarded money for enhancing local law enforcement. The first grouped request, including Beaverhead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral and Sanders counties, asks for just over $2 million to promote equipment continuity, including patrol vehicles, body scanners, radios and vests. 

The second portion, totalling $322,000, would give law enforcement capabilities to those same five counties, if awarded.

The requests were made through the U.S. House of Representatives Community Funding requests, which allows Congress to direct appropriations from specific grant accounts to eligible projects. Projects must be approved by the House Appropriations Committee, the full House of Representatives and be included in the joint funding package signed by the president. 

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.

On Friday, May 24, 2024, Governor Greg Gianforte issued an executive order declaring a statewide disaster in response to recent flooding in northern and central Montana.

Gianforte said in a news release: “Runoff from recent heavy rain and snow has compromised critical electrical infrastructure and roads and bridges in Montana. This order will help impacted communities get back on their feet and protect the lives, property, and resources of Montanans.”

Northern and central Montana saw widespread totals of more two inches of snow and rainfall, and localized amounts between five and seven inches at the start of the month.

Beginning on May 5, 2024, moderate to major flooding occurred due to heavy snowfall and rainfall causing damage to critical infrastructure in low lying and poor drainage areas.

The weather also caused significant damage to electrical infrastructure owned by rural cooperatives causing hundreds of customers in these areas to lose power, some for up to five days.

The Fort Belknap Indian Community, the Rocky Boy’s Agency, and Chouteau and Hill counties also enacted emergency or disaster declarations in response to the conditions, with several of them reporting extensive damage to infrastructure.

Homeless shelters across Montana are serving more people with a greater variety of needs than ever before. That’s according to shelter providers who gathered at a first-of-its-kind homelessness summit in Missoula on May 23.

Shelter providers said they’re seeing increasing emergency housing needs for older Montanans, people with behavioral and physical disabilities, youth exiting the foster care system and others.

Stacey Umhey is the executive director of S.A.F.E., the only emergency shelter in Ravalli County. She said a major issue is the tight housing market, particularly in rural areas. The morning of the summit, Umhey said only four homes were listed for rent in Hamilton.

“We’re going to do emergency shelter because we have to, but that’s not going to meet people’s needs,” Umhey said. “And so, the challenge is what comes after shelter.”

The panel also discussed ways to combat the state’s homelessness crisis, including possible legislative action. Priorities from the group include state-sponsored grants for shelters providing support for elderly homeless people, veterans and families, and funding for long-term programs to help unhoused people find stable places to live.

Organizers said they hope the Montana Shelter Summit will become an annual event.