The Seeley Swan community is asking Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to reopen the Clearwater RV dump site near Highway 200.
Residents of the area claim that an increase in tourist visits, as well as dumpsites closing, have led to some undesirable results, including illegal disposal, according to a report.
The RV dump station at the Clearwater junction close to Seeley Lake has been shut for about three years.
The area is a favorite location for recreational vehicles, and this has caused chaos for the locals.
“One was the unfortunate occasional occurrence of RV’s dumping their blackwater tanks just out in the woods because there is no place else,” Seeley Lake Community Council Member Tom Browder said.
The public noticed this as an issue towards the end of 2020. Browder claimed the pandemic pushed people into open spaces.
The number of tourists is up 20% in state parks through 2021.
The Seeley Community council saw this increase in tourism as a cause to act, and they decided that the best solution was to collaborate with Missoula County Commissioners.
Seeley Community council created a letter to FWP asking that the station be fixed and reopened. County Commissioners also signed.
“We are the advisory in these really key areas of the county and more rural areas. Commissioners always listen to us, so when we say we have a pedestrian trail that needs some maintenance or in this case an RV dump that we need some help with the state, it makes all the difference,” Browder said.
“We are the advisory in these really key areas of the county and more rural areas. Commissioners always listen to us, so when we say we have a pedestrian trail that needs some maintenance or in this case an RV dump that we need some help with the state, it makes all the difference,” Browder said.
Missoula County officials claimed this is only one example of a rising problem within the county and throughout Western Montana.
“You know we are going to struggle with this. We are seeing an increase in demands, and we don’t have infrastructure that’s going to be able to keep up with it without some real engagement, and that’s why I appreciate the energy and interest in the Seeley community,” Crowser said.
There is no cost estimate for the proposed project yet, but Crowser suggested it could be expensive.
The hope is for the construction of the project to begin this summer.
FWP issued a statement regarding the possibility of re-opening the facility and stated: “We’ve heard from the County Commissioners and will be considering solutions, including working with MDT, since it is on MDT land, to see what might be possible.”