FWP Commission Will Not Hear Proposed Motorized Boating Regs In August

 Due to the large volume of comments Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks received for a proposal to modify boating regulations on several stretches of river near Missoula, the proposal will not be presented to the FWP Commission for decision in August as originally planned.

 FWP says that it had received hundreds of comments on the proposal when the 30-day comment period ended on June 27. This will require more time to read the comments and consider alternatives than originally planned.

 Department staff will begin analyzing the comments this month, and they will be part of the package presented to the FWP Commission for their consideration. The Commission meets monthly, and FWP will make an announcement when it has chosen a new date to present the proposal. The changes were proposed to address public safety concerns and social conflicts on the Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers in the Missoula vicinity and a few outdated regulations pertaining to the Milltown area.

The proposal calls for retaining some motorized opportunities on these affected stretches of river while restricting use in areas where the most concerns exist. A public meeting was held June 16 in Missoula and a public comment period ran from May 26-June 27.

 For questions, please call the Missoula FWP office at 406-542-5500.

Story by Vivaca  Crowser
Information and Education Program Manager for FWP