Holland Lake Lodge

The Holland Lake Lodge will not be using its old storage tank for wastewater, so its plans for opening this summer may be scaled down.

Mike Garrity writes, "It is clear the public must be involved in the plans to reopen Holland Lake Lodge."

After learning that a Holland Lake Lodge sewage holding tank is far smaller than previously claimed, some public land watchdogs are upping their opposition to Missoula County’s decision to grant a variance.

A watchdog group is questioning Missoula County’s conditional approval allowing the Holland Lake Lodge to use an old storage tank for sewage this summer.

The permit does not authorize any new activities or expansion of the existing facilities.

The Flathead National Forest announced on Friday that it would issue a special use authorization for the operation of Holland Lake Lodge.

The potential buyers, Eric Jacobsen and Thomas Knowles, have stated that they do not plan to expand the resort beyond its current footprint.

Friends of the Swan Valley write, "The goal: Preserve the lodge, maintain the property (it needs work), keep the charm, don’t damage the landscape more than current activities do, and create a viable business that fits in with the valley and community and doesn’t stress the infrastructure."

On Tuesday afternoon, about 75 Swan Valley residents settled into the Condon Community Center to hear what two potential buyers planned for the controversial Holland Lake Lodge.

The U.S. Forest Service reports a 2024 operating plan for Holland Lake Lodge has not been finalized, but it earlier said a 2017 permit issued to the lodge “remains valid.”