Montana’s wildlife commission unanimously approved a proposal to designate a stretch of Whitefish River as non-motorized.
On Thursday, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission supported the city’s request to amend the current no-wake regulation and restrict the 3-mile stretch of river to manually powered vessels such as kayaks and stand-up paddleboards or boats with electric motors. The section of river extends from the river’s confluence at Whitefish Lake to the trestle bridge at JP Road.
“I think this will serve the City of Whitefish very positively moving forward,” Commission Chairman Dan Vermillion said, citing the economic and cultural benefits associated with the outdoor recreation industry.
Fish, Wildlife and Parks agency officials recommended the commission reject the permanent closure for year-round motorized watercraft, citing its support for “multiple uses and maintaining historic access.” Local FWP officials proposed a seasonal closure from July 5-Sept. 30 instead of a year-round restriction.
Lee Anderson, warden captain for FWP’s Region One, told the commission that the agency studied the river during summer and found low levels of motorized usage and “few violations of the wake restrictions.”
Yet city officials, including city manager Chuck Stearns and mayor John Muhlfeld, described the non-motorized designation as an important way to provide for safe opportunities for an increasing number of non-motorized users.
“During the summer months, it’s a very hostile environment for those wishing to pursue non-motorized use on Whitefish Lake,” Muhlfeld told the commission, citing the popular 3,300-acre lake.
“The area we’re requesting year-round closure for encompasses a mere 25 acres.”