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State Agency Postpones Plans to Install Dock at Wild Horse Island

A total of 101 comments were received and 81 were in opposition

By Beacon Staff

Plans for a public dock at Wild Horse Island are on hold following criticism aimed at the possible impact on the popular Flathead Lake site, the Montana State Parks agency announced Wednesday.

The state agency said the installation of the public dock is being postponed due to public sentiment.  Earlier this year the agency proposed installing a floating dock 8-feet wide and 60-feet long in Skeeko Bay, allowing boats to load and unload visitors. The island does not currently have a public dock for visitors. To access the park, visitors typically beach their boats and climb over the bow and leap to shore, according to state parks officials. This kind of access can be hazardous, particularly for visitors who are physically challenged, according to state parks officials.

A total of 101 comments were received and 81 were in opposition, the agency said. A majority of those opposed said the public dock would increase visitation and human impact on the site, leading to deteriorated conditions and degradation of resources.

According to Montana State Parks, between 2011 and 2015, visitation to the six state parks on Flathead Lake saw 23 percent visitation increases to 281,000 visitors. Visitation at Wild Horse Island attracts an average of 17,200 people annually.

“(Montana State Parks) generally promotes the use of state parks, and increased visitation is not necessarily negative,” the agency said in its decision notice.

“It is clear, however, that many of the people who commented would like MSP to analyze this issue further.”

Over the next four years, the agency will collect data regarding visitor impacts to the park, human-wildlife conflicts, trespass violations and safety concerns. The agency will also analyze how neighboring state park systems address similar water-based state park units. Information gathered during this time, along with input from visitors and stakeholders, will determine if a subsequent proposal will be offered for public review, according to the agency.