As always, we are grateful to the community and all those who have made comments and welcome their feedback regarding our plans at www.hollandlakefuture.com. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics. He also said the project represents one of the tensions in a state thats growing. We dont get the opportunity to make sure theyre considering all the important resources.. In April, Holland Lake Lodge Inc., submitted a plan to the Forest Service to expand its resort on a pristine and popular lake in the Swan Valley. The five-year plan is to be healthy and profitable and use the revenues to build a new lodge down the road.. The memo states it is not suggesting POWDR has acted illegally. Keep in Touch. Montana news about the environment, natural resources, wildlife, climate change and more. District: Swan Lake Ranger District Project Documents Use the widget below to browse documents associated with this project. by Keila Szpaller, Daily Montanan October 15, 2022. Location Summary. He came to MTPR as an evening newscast intern that summer, and jumped at the chance to join full-time as the stations morning voice in Fall 2022. Claim your home and get an email whenever there's an But the plan has not been popular with the public, in part because the Forest Service said it may not complete a full environmental assessment or more extensive environmental impact statement, or EIS, before approving the project. The MDP proposes to restore the old lodge, add buildings, and upgrade infrastructure within the existing 15-acre permit area. The presentation made in Seeley and provided to the Daily Montanan notes a permit amendment dated August 2022 was signed by both Wohlfeil and the primary contact for the proposed expansion, POWDRs Brian Stewart. Renewing Holland Lake Lodge for the next 100 years of solitude and recreation. On Thursday, the Swan Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest announced that it was taking public comment on a proposal to expand the Holland Lake Lodge facility near Seeley Lake. A 2022 report to the Montana Secretary of States Office from Holland Lake Lodge identifies Sibley and Tim Brennwald, of the same Park City address, as officers of the company. This includes Holland Lake Lodge where guests have been coming for generations.". Our company was founded on the premise of providing broad access to the outdoors in a safe, sustainable manner that would create generations of nature lovers who, in turn, would join us in becoming advocates of ecological stewardship. The expansion proposal discusses a project of 15 acres. number you provided, including marketing by autodialer and prerecorded and artificial voice, and This Master Development Plan is intended to preserve the spirit and integrity of what is here, while upgrading facilities so we can share this place with guests for years to come, Wohlfeil saidin a statement. My point is there is demand, Wohlfeil said. No one I talked to during my visit to Condon expressed support for POWDRs plans. She said Thursday she anticipates a decision will be made in the next week or two. Public comment might not do much to change the project. Christian Wohlfeil started managing the Holland Lake Lodge in 1999 and bought the property three years later. Use the widget below to browse documents associated with this project. This week, a group that formed to oppose the expansion released a petition asking the Forest Service to "protect Montana from industrial tourism and commercial recreation on our public land" by not granting the permit. Located on the north side of Holland Lake near the East Holland Connector Trail (trail . Holland Lake provides a beautiful backdrop to any private gathering. If the project moves forwards, she said the Forest Service will prepare an analysis to present to the public and open another public comment period likely after the first of the year. There has been no change since we (Powdr) originally partnered with Christian and Holland Lake, LLC, Hutchinson said in the email. The lodge was built in 1924 but burned down in 1946 and was rebuilt in 1947. 3 night minimum. Ive got two full-grown kids, he said. Brookfield Properties is lead by a group of innovative leaders, bringing fresh perspective to the real estate industry. Some members of the public have called for him to scale back the project, and Wohlfeil said its possible to downsize, but doing so would mean pushing up rates for the project to pencil out. Or do you want to come and enjoy what you came to see? He lives just down the road from Holland Lake at the south end of town. It will prioritize renewable energy and precautions to prevent negative water, air, or soil impacts. The project will change the culture and the ecology of the area. Construction could start as early as 2023. Holland Lake Lodge is located along the shores of majestic Holland Lake on 10.53 acres of US Forest Service land with a perpetual, renewable special use permit. She said an environmental assessment or EIS are still possible. "It was an amazing opportunity," said new owner Michael Gardner. The new facility would hold up to 156 guests and will require larger wastewater and sewage systems and parking areas, requiring the removal of several trees. Holland Lake Lodge set to be sold to Missoula tech exec who plans to expand, extend season. Thursday, a Forest Service spokesperson was traveling and unavailable to fully address questions about the validity of the permit. POWDR told MTPR a new master development plan will be submitted sometime in 2023. Montana Public Radio | Holland Lake Lodge operates on public land in the Flathead National Forest under the special use permit, which is valid through 2036. I have an attachment myself, but Im also really excited for someone new to come in and do what they want to do.. Not only was that the case with Holland Lake Lodge, but also last year's sale of Glacier Raft Company to Pursuit Glacier Collection, a subsidiary of Viad Corp. He said the Forest Service needs to confirm the acreage in question. (Daily Montanan) POWDR, a Utah company identified as future owner of Holland Lake Lodge, is already in control of the Swan Valley resort, allege a couple of lawyers who are opponents of a lodge expansion proposal in a memo and review of public records. There are a lot of people that believe the use of a categorical exclusion would be illegal, said Akland, a lawyer for the Center for Biological Diversity. Don't neglect these 6 maintenance tasks - or else, Debunked! If we can do year round operations, it would be at least 20 year round jobs, which we could then do full medical, dental, vision and 401K benefits, Wohlfeil said. The lodge sits in a grizzly corridor, so Wohlfeil said he can submit a proposal, or master development plan, to the Forest Service just once every 10 years. He said POWDR, based in Utah, can make the investments necessary to build an eco-friendly resort, upgrade parts of the property in disrepair, and maintain it all. Read about our leadership team. The Forest Service has promised a full environmental review of the new plan, and more opportunities for the public to weigh in. Early in 2018, VidCon was sold to Viacom. Directions: North on MT-83 N, East onto Holland Lake Road, continue onto Holland Lake Lodge Road. He has said he believes POWDR has the resources and vision to execute, as well as the ethic to do so responsibly, unlike some other organizations that have shown interest in the lodge. Guests enjoy breathtaking sunsets, the fresh mountain air over the lake, hikes to the roaring falls, and delicious dinners. Bob Parcell joined the Missoula County Sheriffs Office as a deputy 40 years ago, and spent 33 of those patrolling along Highway 83. There will be the addition of some new structures to add capacity. Grizzly bears? Right now, the foundation of the lodge is crumbling, and wed like to put it on an actual foundation and preserve it for future generations, Wohlfeil said. Montana people are sort of sensitive to all the people moving in and all the crowds coming with Covid, he said. The Forest Service announced the Holland Lake Lodge expansion proposal this fall. Holland Lake Lodge operates on public land in the Flathead National Forest under the special use permit, which is valid through 2036. Holland Lake Lodge, Inc. and its joint venture partner, POWDR, announced that they have submitted aMaster Development Plan (MDP) to the U.S. Forest Serviceto improve accommodations atHolland Lake Lodge, a rustic lakeside resort located in the Swan Valley, which was originally built in 1924 and last updated in 1947. POWDRs corporate shenanigans may be legal, but they are precisely the sort of actions that the permit was drafted to address, the memo said. However, one week following a contentious public meeting about the proposal, Flathead National Forest Public Information Officer Tami MacKenzie said the Forest Service will conduct some type of environmental review, although the agency has not determined the extent of it, nor is it legally bound to complete an environmental study. Currently, he said the lodging range is estimated at $200 to $240 a night for a smaller cabin that sleeps two people, and $400 to $450 a night for a cabin that sleeps four to six, not including meals (no glamping, he said). A few miles down the road from the mercantile, Shirley and Loyd Hahn live in a log home. For example, the Forest Service estimates peak use at 500 people a night for the campground, group site and Owl Packer Camp, not including the day-use area. The expansion proposal has drawn significant opposition, in part because of the resorts location in the Swan Valley and its possible effects on grizzly bears, water quality and other resources. POWDR doesnt need a return on its investment right away, he said, but it needs a return sooner or later. Holland Lake Lodge is a rustic lakeside resort nestled between the Swan and Mission mountain ranges, with access to a number of incredible outdoor recreation opportunities. To verify enrollment eligibility, contact the school or district directly. Its a Catch-22 because we also need tourism in our state that helps our economy., At the public meeting last week, Flathead Forest Supervisor Kurt Steele admitted to the public the Forest Service initially presented the scope of the project as a footprint of 15 acres, same as the current resort, according to, Forest Service: Holland Lake Lodge expansion plan rejected, POWDR already in charge of Holland Lake Lodge, memo alleges, Flathead National Forest: Decision on Holland Lake likely. 8717, 1947 Holland Lake Lodge Rd, Condon, MT 59826, 2023 by POWDR. Theyre beautiful and well-loved for their rustic charm and serene landscape. As proposed, the expansion would more than double the number of guests at the lodge from 50 to at least 90 or as many as 156, extend operations into winter, and possibly double the acres in use. You have permission to edit this article. The process has been fouled up from the beginning.. Notice of Initiation (09/01/2022) Sign up here for updates and news on the process. We very much look forward to doing that and continuing to work with the USFS, as well as the public, during the process. Proposed Improvement Plan Would/Would Not, Master Development Plan (MDP) to the U.S. Forest Service. POWDR, a Utah company identified as future owner of Holland Lake Lodge, is already in control of the Swan Valley resort, allege a couple of lawyers who are opponents of a lodge expansion proposal in a memo and review of public records. The group that formed to oppose the project, Save Holland Lake, has said the Forest Service itself contributed to confusion and public distrust after it misstated the acreage covered in the current permit. Like so many others, we marveled at the beauty and realized immediately the uniqueness of Holland Lake, the Lodge, and the surrounding community. Adjacent to Holland Lake Lodge is the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, which makes up an area of more than 1.5 million acres, a vast landscape of habitat for the Grizzly bear, lynx, wolverine, deer, elk, gray wolf, moose, black bear, mountain lion, mountain goat, and mountain sheep. Seriously. By proceeding, you consent to receive calls and texts at the Kalispell mental health clinic closes, leaving 200 patients without care, Racicot: preserving democracy outweighs party politics, House OKs a broadly written 'parental rights' bill. The current plan also would winterize the buildings, making Holland Lake Lodge a year-round destination. The original lodge was built on the shore of Holland Lake in 1924 but was consumed by a fire in 1946. The busiest spot on a recent December day was a gas station and convenience store at the north end of town. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A career in the insurance industry doesn't exactly sound "sexy," but one Missoula firm is giving its employees generous benefits and career gr. We will continue to look into this concern regarding current ownership and if something has changed we will take appropriate action.. Holland Lake Lodge is a rustic lakeside resort with genuine Montana charm, surrounded by stunning views of two mountain ranges, a pristine lake, and a 100-foot waterfall. Cookies must be enabled to use this tool. One resident told me she worries the lodge would harm the quality of the watershed. Then, in 2017, he put it up for sale. A Utah-based corporation wants to expand the Holland Lake Lodge into more of a year-round resort destination, but it needs Forest Service approval to do so. Variations of that theme that the proposed expansion is just too big for Condon emerge as I continued my trip through town. The main lodge (9 guest. Ive hung 98% of the signage down Highway 83, Siloti said with a laugh. 8 myths about renting you should stop believing immediately, 6 ways home buyers mess up getting a mortgage, 6 reasons you should never buy or sell a home without an agent, Difference between agent, broker & Realtor, Real estate agents reveal the toughest home buyers they've ever met, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Furnished Description: Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Freezer, Microwave, Range, Refrigerator, Washer, Other Structures: Barn, Cabin(s), Guest Quarters, Shed(s), Lot Description: Deck, Dock, Fence, Landscaped, Porch, Calculated Total Monthly Association Fees: 0. As of Sunday, more than 2,800 people . Driving north from Seeley Lake to Condon, the first sign pops up about 6 miles before the turn onto Holland Lake Road. Grace Siloti and her husband own and operate Mission Mountains Mercantile. POWDR has built its brand on the premise of delivering soulful experiences that matter to guests and reflect the local community. * We will begin accepting group reservations for our 2023 season this October. Its a place where many Montanans have spent their family weekends and vacations. An aerial view of the Holland Lake Lodge on Wednesday afternoon is shown. By, At the halfway point, Republicans pass budget bills, target 'woke extremism'. The MDP proposes to restore the old lodge, add buildings, and upgrade infrastructure within the existing 15-acre permit area. Oops! Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Thanks for subscribing! Improvements at the Holland Lake Lodge and the East Holland Lake Connector Trailhead would offer the opportunity to satisfy some of the increased demand for outdoor recreation on public lands in the Swan and Flathead Valleys.. Learn More Stay DEQ said if they both are acceptable, they may be used to serve the development in the future. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Breakfast Lunch dinner wine bar Dinner Served nightly from 5:45 - 8:45pm Reservations are recommended for dinner. The permit states the holder shall notify the Forest Service when a change in control is contemplated, and it defines changes in part as a joint venture or a third party having ability to exercise management authority of the business. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). POWDR has said that the expanded lodge will allow the company to open access for more people to enjoy Montanas outdoor spaces. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. The environment and ecosystems where we work and operate is our top priority and we have no desire to conduct business in a way that undermines that. Contact reporter Laura Lundquist atlundquist@missoulacurrent.com. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Recreation sites include but are not limited to campgrounds and camping areas, picnic areas, day use areas, fishing sites, interpretive sites, visitor centers, trailheads, ski areas, and observation sites. We are confident that any analysis, driven by data, science, and the experts at the Flathead Forest, will support our Master Development Plan going forward. There were 119 properties sold in Brookfield, IL, which spent an average of 61 days on the market. POWDRs vice president of communications Stacey Hutchinson told MTPR the company is listening to feedback from the public before it makes its next proposal. We look forward to continuing this legacy, Sibley said in a statement. For example, he said hes never waterskied on the lake even though he grew up with the sport, and he could legally rent out jet skis, but he doesnt. For example, he said hes never waterskied on the lake even though he grew up with the sport, and he could legally rent out jet skis, but he doesnt. So we have people going out to do the mapping portion of it, she said. One of its most striking attributes is actually something its missing noise. In Montana, liquor licenses can be sold for tens of thousands of dollars. Wohlfeil has owned and managed the resort for 20 years, according to the application. She said that type of exception can be used for expanding a toilet or a shower facility or replacing a chairlift. View 127 homes that sold recently in Brookfield, IL with a median transaction price of $257,000 at realtor.com. The additional months of tourism would positively impact the surrounding communities and businesses, as visitors come and help power the local economies. He is also exploring partnerships for hosting music festivals, holiday celebrations and corporate retreats. The presentation notes the signing took place before the public was notified of a proposed project.. Although he admits the capacity at the lodge would be at least twice its current limit, he also said the number of additional visitors should be viewed in the context of all of the use at the lake. We will share more information on the NEPA process when its available. Proudly created with Wix.com, Holland Lake Lodge, Inc. and its joint venture partner, POWDR, announced that they have submitted a. , a rustic lakeside resort located in the Swan Valley, which was originally built in 1924 and last updated in 1947.