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Job Retraining Planned After Yellowstone River Fish Kill Forces Closure

Fishing guides, raft operators and other workers among those affected by closure of 183-mile stretch of river

By Tristan Scott

BILLINGS — Montana labor officials will offer advice on job retraining for fishing guides, raft operators and other workers affected by the closure of a 183-mile stretch of the Yellowstone River.

Gov. Steve Bullock announced Friday that the Department of Labor and Industry will host a meeting in Livingston on Monday to provide further information.

State wildlife commissioners closed the Yellowstone indefinitely to all recreational activity last week following a massive fish kill in the Paradise Valley area north of Yellowstone National Park.

Officials hope to stop the spread of a contagious parasite blamed for killing tens of thousands of whitefish and smaller numbers of trout.

Labor department representatives plan to offer information on retraining options, unemployment insurance and alternative job opportunities during Monday’s meeting.