Planning & Steering Committees

The project was spearheaded by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Whitefish and the non-profit organization Flathead Gateway Partners in 2005, working in conjunction with the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC); the Flathead National Forest; Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and a community represented planning committee completing the trail master plan in 2006. The City of Whitefish then signed a 10-year land use license with the DNRC in 2007. The city and Flathead Gateway Partners recently signed an additional MOU on September 19, 2008 when the city council re-appointed a steering committee consisting of city staff/officials and Flathead Gateway Partners. The steering committee includes Diane Conradi, Steve Thompson, Karl Cozad and Nancy Woodruff (Nick Palmer is an alternate).

Flathead Gateway Partners include Diane Conradi, Steve Thompson, Mike Jopek, Lin Akey, Charlie Abell, and Marshall Friedman.

Members include:
Doug Adams, Matt Boyer, Kris Caister, Pete Costain, Greg Gunderson, Bobbi Hall/ Laura Munson, Lisa Horowitz, Leslie Hunt, Cliff Kip, Paul McKenzie, Camisha Sawtelle, Patrick Sullivan, Frank Sweeney, Tyler Tourville and Gayle Weinberg. Greg Poncin and Brian Manning will represent the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Becky Smith-Powell will represent the US Forest Service and Dave Landstrom will represent Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.