We will share more information on the NEPA process when its available. His goal has been to ensure that the necessary updates will be made, thus allowing Holland Lake Lodge to prosper into the future. Holland Lake Lodge Facility Improvement & Expansion In the case of a change of control, the permit notes an application for a new permit must be submitted, but the Forest Service is not obligated to grant one. I want to get other investors on board and open the opportunity to other Montanans, he explained. Christian Wohlfeil, majority owner of the lodge, said his interest is in selling the property to an owner who has the ability to invest in much needed upgrades and who shares his values of stewardship. Sign up here for updates and news on the process. We believe Holland Lake Lodge, Inc., has already violated its USFS Term Special Use Permit by its transactions with POWDR Corporation, reads the Nov. 15 memo and records review addressed to interested parties.. Preserve the lodge, owners cabin, and barn, Add wildfire and life safety fire suppression system, Update wastewater and sewage systems to 2022 standards, Construct buildings to 2022 safety and accessibility standards, Winterize buildings for year-round access, Conserve water by upgrading to EPA approved WaterSense fixtures, Conserve energy by upgrading to EPA EnergyStar certified appliances, lighting and heating, Improve waste management by installing bear proof trash and recycling receptacles, Improve water quality in the lake by moving car parking away from the lake towards the barn, Add renewable energy with rooftop solar where feasible, Protect the night sky by following the International Dark Sky Park Program, Partner with local guides and outfitters to offer guests more activities, Add a 28-room lodge, welcome center, restaurant, and cabins, Add a maintenance building and employee housing, Install a dock for non-motorized boats and two swimming docks, Maintain an Adirondack inspired aesthetic for new building design, Provide year-round lodging, food and beverages, and accommodations, Eliminate or reduce local access to Holland Lake. Neither the Forest Service nor Wohlfeil or Hutchinson answered a question Thursdsay about when or whether POWDR or Wohlfiel notified the federal agency of changes. POWDR partnered with Holland Lake Lodge, Inc., and came up with a development plan that they submitted to the Forest Service in April. The current plan does not mention helicopter skiing, but Akland said that doesnt preclude the company from making a request in the future. Gardner, who lives in Missoula, said hes always done things at a much more accelerated pace than many people. * We will begin accepting group reservations for our 2023 season this October. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. But the Forest Service later said the permit was for 10.53 acres, and Thursday, MacKenzie said the agency still needs to confirm the acreage in question. Following an outbreak of more than 50 cases of measles near the Washington/Oregon border last week, doctors and nurses at Community Medical Ce, In Montana, its illegal to drive a car or ride as a passenger without a seat belt, yet seat belts are not required onschool buses that trans. "It needs enough income structure here to be a viable, healthy business. She also said POWDR has a helicopter skiing business, and another concern is whether the company would eventually apply for a permit to do heliskiing in the Swan Valley. For example, Holland Lake Lodge transferred a liquor license to a separate Holland Lake Lodge Restaurant LLC, according to Department of Revenue records. Environmental risk data is provided by Risk Factor, POWDR told MTPR a new master development plan will be submitted sometime in 2023. Holland Lake Lodge On my way out of town, I made one last stop and visited with a resident who says hes not at all surprised by the backlash. Holland Lake Lodge: Gift Shop 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. Not Subject to Regulations, Project Activity The existing 4,600-square-foot lodge was built the following year and includes nine guest rooms and a restaurant. He wants to eventually extend the operating season from 135 days to 220 days, from April 1 through Oct. 30, and to be open the week of Thanksgiving and Christmas. This process has been confusing from the beginning, said Bill Lombardi, with Save Holland Lake, the group opposing the expansion and calling for greater scrutiny. The Risk Factor models are designed to approximate risk and not intended to include all possible scenarios. As a resort company known for its ski hills seeks to expand the 1940s historic Holland Lake Lodge, locals are pushing back. Next Milestone: Holland Lake Lodge is a soulful place, where families spend time in the outdoors with the people they love. POWDR doesnt need a return on its investment right away, he said, but it needs a return sooner or later. Montana Public Radio | Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@dailymontanan.com. And thats what this plan is.. To verify enrollment eligibility, contact the school or district directly. Justin Sibley, CEO of POWDR, said the changes would be soulful. Otherwise, consider buying a gift card for you or a loved one. Wohlfeil, majority owner of the lodge, said his interest is in selling the property to an owner who has the ability to invest in much needed upgrades and who shares his values of stewardship. Kalispell mental health clinic closes, leaving 200 patients without care, Racicot: preserving democracy outweighs party politics, House OKs a broadly written 'parental rights' bill. You have permission to edit this article. As a resort company known for its ski hills seeks to expand the 1940s historic Holland Lake Lodge, locals are pushing back. The Daily Montanan is a nonprofit, nonpartisan source for trusted news, commentary and insight into statewide policy and politics beneath the Big Sky. Harzardous waste compliance actions; Facility improvements/construction; Forest vegetation improvements; Heritage resource management; Special use authorizations; Road improvements/construction, Project Milestones Rooms currently rent for $300 - $340 a night, up from the 2019 prices of $200 - $240 a night. Charming rustic lakeside cabins, a proud main lodge circa 1947, and to-die-for food.. Holland Lake Lodge: Dining Christian Wohlfeil started managing the Holland Lake Lodge in 1999 and bought the property three years later. 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. Or do you want to come and enjoy what you came to see? In their plan, property owners requested an exception, called a categorical exclusion, from a full scale environmental review, and the Forest Service said its initial decision is to grant the request. If thats the case, the Forest Service wont conduct an environmental assessment or impact statement, and the scoping period will be the only opportunity for the public to provide comment. Construction could start as early as 2023. The same Secretary of State report strikes out references to Wohlfeil. In addition,the East Holland Lake Connector Trailhead parking area would be expanded up to 3 acres. In Montana, liquor licenses can be sold for tens of thousands of dollars. We dont get the opportunity to make sure theyre considering all the important resources.. The 10-acre site includes a fine dining restaurant, a full bar, six semi-rustic guest cabins and an eight-room lodge. The Flathead National Forest is taking scoping comments onthe development planuntil Sept. 21 and will hold a public meeting just to provide information at the Holland Lake Lodge from 5-7 p.m. on Sept. 8. Siloti says it didnt take long for requests for copies of the Hands Off Holland sign to start pouring in. Lead Management Unit Rates include lodging, daily housekeeping, meals (three course dinner, breakfast and lunch), 8% Montana hotel tax, wireless internet, Bonfire wood, and a 20% service charge on all incidentals. Plus, he said, the exclusion wont bypass a review, it will allow for a less intensive analysis. The property also holds six guest cabins, a gift shop, owners cabin and two outbuildings. Typically, the exception means no EIS and no environmental assessment. Don't neglect these 6 maintenance tasks - or else, Debunked! Ive seen (mergers and acquisitions), Ive been in nonprofits, Ive been in publicly traded companies, I was the VP of a massive global media conglomerate. The Bob Marshall Wilderness was named for Bob Marshall, the . One of its most striking attributes is actually something its missing noise. This indicates that for the last 18 months, the Lodges corporate affairs have been conducted by POWDRs legal department,' the memo said. A few miles down the road from the mercantile, Shirley and Loyd Hahn live in a log home. Learn More Stay Similarly, when Blacktail. DEIJ Policy | Ethics Policy | Privacy Policy. *30 guests or less. More than 6,500 public comments have been submitted to the Forest Service, and Save Holland Lake estimated nearly 99 percent of them opposed the project. So we have to ask for as much as we want to do now, he said. However, she said the boundary for the permit is still pretty unknown because modern mapping tools havent been used on the property. Treating yourself or a loved one to a stay at the Lodge, or items in our gift shop, is now easier than ever. The Hahns have a long relationship with the lodge Lloyd would house customers for his outfitting business there, and Shirley says she would kayak with friends and pull up to shore for a drink. But the big white signs with blue text that read Hands off Holland represent a campaign of a different kind. In addition, several new buildings will be added, including a 13,000-square-foot lodge with 28 rooms, a 3,000-square-foot restaurant, a 2,000-square-foot welcome center for check-in, 10 650-square-foot cabins, 16 smaller studio cabins and new support buildings for maintenance and employee housing. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices American Heritage Real Estate, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago - Downers Grove Office, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago - La Grange Office, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago - Oak Park Office, Home buyers reveal: 'What I wish I had known before buying my first home, Debunked! The property was listed for sale for $4 million, but the final sale price wasnt disclosed. We have gift cards available online! MacKenzie, with the Flathead National Forest, said the Forest Service has not yet made a decision to use a categorical exclusion. At public meetings and in press interviews, POWDR has reiterated that it wants to build that trust with the community. 03/01/2023), https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61746&exp=detail. 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. Keila Szpaller is deputy editor of the Daily Montanan and covers education. I started digging and have been working on it for a couple of years.. While we believe there will not be adverse impact to the environment, the mechanism for how to evaluate the impacts against NEPA guidelines has always been less important to us than the conclusion. Holland Lake Lodge set to be sold to Missoula tech exec who - MATR The key thing is reinvesting profits back into the company. 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. The memo also notes Utah Secretary of State records show POWDRs address in Park City as the same one listed as the legal address for the lodge by the Montana Secretary of States Office as of April 2021. She said the request from Holland Lake Lodge was for 15 acres the plan notes a wastewater area of 3.8 acres is separate but it appears to be currently permitted for 10.53 acres. In the meantime, Lombardi pointed to grizzly bears, lynx, bull trout, elk, loons, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and said they all merit a rigorous environmental review. Theres just not much left.. The current permit identifies Holland Lake Lodge as the holder and lists Wohlfeil as owner of the lodge. The five-year plan is to be healthy and profitable and use the revenues to build a new lodge down the 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. Kristine Akland, with the Center for Biological Diversity, said the Forest Services preliminary decision to grant a categorical exclusion doesnt square with a proposal to possibly triple capacity at the lodge. Ive been there, done that. We will share more of those details in the coming weeks. Plot thickens in Holland Lake Lodge expansion debate Construction, reconstruction, decommissioning, or disposal of buildings, infrastructure, or improvements at an existing recreation site, including infrastructure or improvements that are adjacent or connected to an existing recreation site and provide access or utilities for that site. Its just a very pristine valley that has all kinds of wildlife, so were just puzzled and concerned why the Forest Service one, would propose a categorical exclusion, and two, didnt tell anyone until September when theyve had this planned until at least April of this year, Lombardi said. 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. 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. She says she doesnt trust POWDR to change something so important to locals in the area. I ran operations for the Montana Food Bank Network and then met (local video and internet entrepreneur) Hank Green, he said. 406.754.2282. info@hollandlakelodge.com. The original lodge was built on the shore of Holland Lake in 1924 but was consumed by a fire in 1946. Just this summer, he said he received 4,000 inquiries via email alone about cabins, and he was sold out from April through September. In the meantime, the Nov. 15 memo from Corn and Browder calls into question the validity of the current permit itself, issued May 2017. Wohlfeil has alwaystoutedthe propertys rustic charm and intimate feel but talked about wanting to make more improvements. That limited-liability corporation is controlled by Justin Sibley, POWDR CEO, according to the Montana Department of Revenue records. He is also exploring partnerships for hosting music festivals, holiday celebrations and corporate retreats. Holland Lake Lodge Experience Spectacular Solitude at Holland Lake Lodge, Montana's Hidden Gem 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. Holland Lake Lodge expansion controversial, but owner said it's a plan He says he fears Condons all-volunteer emergency services could be overwhelmed by the added strain the larger lodge could produce. At meetings and in public comment, many members of the public also decried the agencys initial decision to excuse the project from a thorough environmental review by granting a categorical exclusion. However, MacKenzies email Thursday noted the agency will conduct at least an environmental assessment if the project moves ahead. Our plan will also incorporate several modifications that came from the previous public comment period - constructive ideas from those who want the best for the Lodge and the land. It cites as one example termination upon change of control of the business entity.. One-off special of sitcom will poke fun at Sussexes We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Bob Parcell joined the Missoula County Sheriffs Office as a deputy 40 years ago, and spent 33 of those patrolling along Highway 83. 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. Read about our leadership team. If he was starting from scratch, he said, he would understand the call for a full environmental study, but the Forest Service suggested the owners ask for a categorical exclusion because the resort is already in operation. Flathead National Forest All Units, Notice and Comment Regulation Grace Siloti and her husband own and operate Mission Mountains Mercantile. Cookies must be enabled to use this tool. The proposal noted owners Christian Wohlfeil and POWDR, of Park City, Utah, had submitted the joint application to expand and improve the resort. A career in the insurance industry doesn't exactly sound "sexy," but one Missoula firm is giving its employees generous benefits and career gr. The Greatest Good - Flathead Beacon There were 119 properties sold in Brookfield, IL, which spent an average of 61 days on the market. The owner of Holland Lake Lodge, who sold significant ownership shares of the facility to POWDR, told the Montana Free Press that POWDR needs to be able to expand the facilities in order to turn a profit. Built in 1924 as a small guest accommodation and rebuilt after a fire in 1947, Holland Lake Lodge currently consists of 16 buildings and structures, including a main lodge building, a. One resident told me she worries the lodge would harm the quality of the watershed. We plan to resubmit our plan for future investment and infrastructure improvements at Holland Lake Lodge that is very much in line with our previously submitted Master Development Plan. Something doesn't seem right with the Holland Lake Lodge transfer She said Thursday she anticipates a decision will be made in the next week or two. Austin graduated from the University of Montanas journalism program in May 2022. Home | Future Of Holland La Daily Montanan is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Theyll have to move, and where are they going to move? POWDRs vice president of communications Stacey Hutchinson told MTPR the company is listening to feedback from the public before it makes its next proposal. The Forest Service announced the Holland Lake Lodge. You do not need to sign up or login to Box to view documents, but if you have difficulty accessing the documents on a mobile device, you may choose to sign up for a free account, download the app to your device and log in to ensure that you can open the documents. POWDR already in charge of Holland Lake Lodge, memo alleges people are sort of sensitive to all the people moving in and all the crowds coming with Covid, he said. Its a place where many Montanans have spent their family weekends and vacations. She said she didnt know if a lawsuit would end up being filed, but one of the concerns with granting an exception to an environmental assessment or more in depth environmental impact statement is work can start right away and the proposal notes changes will begin in 2023. We very much look forward to doing that and continuing to work with the USFS, as well as the public, during the process. "It's a very healthy business and it's in the . Holland Lake Lodge Facility Improvement & Expansion My point is there is demand, Wohlfeil said. POWDR already in charge of Holland Lake Lodge, lawyers allege POWDRs corporate shenanigans may be legal, but they are precisely the sort of actions that the permit was drafted to address, the memo said. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Flathead National Forest: Decision on Holland Lake likely coming this The Holland Lake area is already heavily impacted. a product of First Street Foundation. Located on the north side of Holland Lake near the East Holland Connector Trail (trail# 415) Trailhead. Holland Lake Lodge is best known for our dinners featuring fresh, local, seasonal ingredients. We have enough people here to make a civilization, but its not a city, and nobody wants that here, Parcell said. Like so many others, we marveled at the beauty and realized immediately the uniqueness of Holland Lake, the Lodge, and the surrounding community. Holland Lake Lodge, Inc. Master Development Plan details building and infrastructure improvements, enhancing the visitor experience, within the current permitted area. It lists a mailing address in Park City for the principal office and is signed on behalf of Sibley in a power of attorney capacity. Holland Lake Lodge Facility Improvement & Expansion 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, Before You Buy, Look for Red Flags in the Neighborhood, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. An aerial view of the Holland Lake Lodge on Wednesday afternoon is shown. The Lodge is currently accepting bookings for the 2023 season, with limited availability. NEPA or Forest Plan Amendment Decision Document Available (est. In our resubmittal, we will support the Forest Services recommendation to conduct an Environmental Assessment. Wohlfeil has owned and managed the resort for 20 years, according to the application. 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. Its a Catch-22 because we also need tourism in our state that helps our economy.. The public is confused, and now the Forest Service is confused. By, At the halfway point, Republicans pass budget bills, target 'woke extremism'. In earlier interviews, Wohlfeil has said the property needs significant investment in infrastructure upgrades in order to operate sustainably for future generations. But citing public records, the memo from Corn and Browder identifies changes it alleges already place control of Holland Lake Lodge in the hands of POWDR. Recently sold homes in Brookfield, IL had a median listing home price of $330,000. Ive got two full-grown kids, he said. Proposed Improvement Plan Would/Would Not, Master Development Plan (MDP) to the U.S. Forest Service. The information we have been given to date still has Christian Wohlfeil as the majority owner of Holland Lake Incorporated, MacKenzie said in an email. View 127 homes that sold recently in Brookfield, IL with a median transaction price of $257,000 at realtor.com. 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.. 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. 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. The fact is: There is wildlife including grizzlies, black bears, wolverines, lynx, bull trout, bats and loons that will surely be affected by the construction of a 13,000-square foot, 3,000 square-foot restaurant, 26 cabins and "bunkies," additional outbuildings and employee housing, parking lots and floating docks. Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Gardner eventually became chief operating officer and chief strategy officer for VidCon, which was started by Green and his brother, John Green, and grew to become the worlds largest celebration of digital video and online creators. 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. The MDP proposes to restore the old lodge, add buildings, and upgrade infrastructure within the existing 15-acre permit area. 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). Then, in 2017, he put it up for sale. 3 night minimum. Variations of that theme that the proposed expansion is just too big for Condon emerge as I continued my trip through town. Want to bring a larger group to the Lodge?Book all of our rooms and cabins to enjoy a uniquely private, personalized get-together for $5565 per night. The plan is to preserve the lodge, the owners cabin and the barn and winterize the buildings so the facility can operate year-round. Thursday, a Flathead National Forest spokesperson said mapping is underway to clarify the acreage currently in use. 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. Altogether, the facility hosted up to 45 guests during the summer months, making it a popular spot for weddings and other events looking for that authentic Montana feel. However, spokesperson Tami MacKenzie said the Forest Service will continue to evaluate the issue. Gardners plan is to attract investors, starting at $25,000, and to reinvest profits back into the property. The main lodge (9 guest rooms, restaurant, bar & lounge), 6 guest cabins, gift shop, newly constructed owner's cabin, and two out-buildings School data provided by National Center for Education Statistics, You can cancel at any time. 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