The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission is holding a public hearing on proposed regulation changes for
Echo Lake on Feb. 19 at 7 p.m., at the Hampton Inn at 1140 Highway 2 west in Kalispell.
The FWP Commission is proposing rule amendments based on the three petitions received from the public to change boating regulations on Echo Lake.
The proposed amendments include:
— Establishing Echo Lake, Abbott Lake and Peterson Lake as a no-wake zone during high water, as described as a water level of five feet or less from the survey pin located on the deck of Causeway Bridge.
— Designating the Causeway Bay as a no-wake zone year round.
— Banning the use of boat wake enhancing equipment on Echo Lake. Wake enhancing equipment is designed to create a larger wake often used for surfing and wake boarding.
Echo Lake water levels have been exceptionally high during the past few years. Petitioners proposed these changes mainly in the interests of shoreline erosion, property damage and user conflicts, according to FWP. The public hearing will solicit public comment on each proposal.
The detailed notice of public hearing on each of these proposals was published at the FWP website.
Written comments can be submitted to FWP Region One in Kalispell at: Martha Abbrescia, FWP, 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901. Call 751-4567 or fax 406-257-0349. Send e-mail comments to [email protected].
Comments must be received by Feb. 22.