February 23, 2024
Stewards of the Swan Valley Welcomes New Flathead Forest Supervisor
and POWDR’s Final Decision to Not Build Destination Resort on Holland Lake
USFS Finalizes POWDR’s Withdrawal and Looks to Future Working With Public
(Contact: Bill Lombardi 406-459-8860 / bebomontana@gmail.com)
(Condon, MT) – Stewards of the Swan Valley, a new nonprofit dedicated to preserving the
community, culture and environment of the Swan Valley, welcomes Flathead National Forest’s
new supervisor’s commitment to open communication and the forest officially closing the book on a ski giant’s effort to build a large destination resort at pristine Holland Lake.
Newly appointed FNF Supervisor Anthony Botello told the Swan Valley Community Council and Condon residents on February 20 that he’s committed to establishing trust and implementing transparency with the public as he takes the helm at the forest that has formally accepted POWDR’s decision to abandon plans to build a destination resort at Holland Lake Lodge, which sits on public land.
Botello told the Swan Council and Condon residents that POWDR has officially withdrawn its
application for a new special use permit (SUP) for Holland Lake Lodge (see USFS statement
below). Last fall, E3 Destinations/POWDR began efforts to withdraw its application, Botello said. (POWDR faced overwhelming public opposition to build the large resort at the rustic and quiet lodge.) USFS officials only recently completed analysis of documentation to finalize the withdrawal, Botello said, and the lodge remains in the control of current owner Christian Wohlfeil and under his USFS special use permit for Holland Lake Lodge Inc.
“We welcome new Supervisor Botello and look forward to working closely with him to ensure
that the public has a voice in determining how our public lands are used and to protect this rural working landscape for future generations,” said Stewards of the Swan Valley President Grace Siloti of Condon. “His words were received warmly at our community meeting, and we’re excited to work with him and his staff as he settles into his new job.”
Fred Clark, Stewards of the Swan Valley’s vice president, said the FNF’s final acceptance of
POWDR’s special use permit withdrawal closes the book on one chapter to protect the rural
Swan Valley, but opens a new chapter of collaboration with all users in the valley to ensure that everyone has a voice in the future of the landscape.
“As we move forward, we need to remain vigilant,” Clark said. “Recent proposals that would have significantly negatively impacted the Swan Valley illustrate how quickly things can change – and how we can affect potential outcomes when we work together.”
Answering questions at the Swan Community Council, Botello also noted that the USFS will
seek proposals from engineering firms to design a new wastewater treatment system for federal public land at Holland Lake’s campground and for the lodge. The current USFS-owned wastewater treatment system is “not operable,” Botello told the council, and that could affect the operation of the lodge for the 2024 summer operating season.
Condon residents also told Botello that they would like the FNF to provide notice of requests for USFS special use permits, especially as they relate to recreation and other uses.
“This is not our house – this is our home,” Swan Valley Community Council member Marci Tapp told Botello. “This is the Last Best Place. Protect it.”
About Stewards of the Swan Valley: Stewards of the Swan Valley is a charitable, nonprofit
501(c)(3) organization. Community citizens and interested parties are encouraged to learn more about our nonprofit at www.preserveswanvalley.org. It contains links to current activities and provides ways to share information and resources. You can also email us at
Flathead National Forest Update February 23, 2024 (below)
February 23 Update
In fall of 2023, the Flathead National Forest received notice that E3
Destinations/POWDR intended to withdraw their application for a special use permit
for the operations of Holland Lake Lodge. Over the course of the winter, Flathead
National Forest leadership met with Holland Lake Lodge Inc. ownership and requested
formal documentation to confirm controlling interest, so that the application could be
properly withdrawn.
On January 31, 2024, the Flathead National Forest was notified that E3
Destinations/POWDR provided needed documentation of controlling interest of
Holland Lake Lodge, Inc. The Forest Service has accepted the withdrawal of the E3
Destinations/POWDR application.
Based on the documentation that was submitted, the existing special use permit, as
issued in 2017, remains valid. Holland Lake Lodge, Inc. has submitted an Operating
Plan for 2024 season and once the Forest Service has evaluated that Operating Plan,
Holland Lake Lodge would be authorized to continue to operate under this permit.
Comments