Page 6 - Flathead Beacon // 6.11.14

6 | JUNE 11, 2014 NEWS FLATHEADBEACON.COM

FWP Proposes Seasonal Closure for

READER Motor Boats on Whiteish River

POLL

FLATHEADBEACON.COM
State agency asks for

compromise on year-round
Will Former Gov. Schweitzer
Run for President in 2016?
motorized restriction

By DILLON TABISH of the Beacon

The state’s regional wildlife oice is
proposing a compromise when it comes to
resolving the debate over motorized access
along an urban stretch of Whiteish River.
Local oicials with the Montana De-
23% YES 77% NO partment of Fish, Wildlife and Parks are
asking for a seasonal closure instead of a
TOTAL VOTES: 194
year-round shutdown along the popular
recreational artery near the river’s con-
Do You Think Republicans Will luence at Whiteish Lake to the trestle
Maintain Control of the State bridge at JP Road.
The state’s Fish and Wildlife Commis-
Legislature?
sion will address the contentious subject
at its meeting in Helena on June 12 and de-

cide whether to follow the City of White- Boaters paddle upstream on the Whiteish River. BEACON FILE PHOTO
ish’s recommendation and amend the reg-
ulations along the urban stretch of river, in the narrow corridor where motorboats
prohibiting motorized access.
“WE FEEL LIKE IT LARGELY can often travel.
The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. at the At a public hearing in Whiteish, local
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks head- ACCOMMODATES THE INTER- opinion swayed heavily in favor of limit-
quarters.
ing access, with 35 supporters and six op-
71% YES 29% NO According to FWP, the current no- EST OF BOTH PARTIES.”
ponents.

TOTAL VOTES: 183
wake rule is adequately limiting resource Whiteish’s city council unanimously
damage and providing a safe environ- Jim Satterield, FWP supervisor
voted in favor of restricting access. The
ment for non-motorized users, like kay- proposal, adopted by the city council in
Do You Agree with the Obama akers. But in light of local support, FWP November and unanimously approved
Administration’s Plan to Cut recommends a seasonal closure from July at its regular meeting on April 14, would
Carbon Emissions?
5-Sept. 30 instead of a year-round restric- ten and oral comments during the state- amend the current no-wake regulation
tion. This would allow anglers the oppor- wide public scoping period — 105 were op- and restrict the three-mile stretch of river
tunity to ish in the spring and boaters to posed and 104 were in favor of restricting to manually powered vessels like kayaks

access the lake to watch ireworks on the part of the river to non-motorized boats. and stand-up paddleboards or boats with
Fourth of July, while at the same time pro- The main issues brought up in public com- electric motors.
viding the warm summer months for non- ments involved resource damage, pub- FWP oicials asked the commission to
motorized use when the majority of users lic safety and recreational opportunity, extend the public comment period to con-
engage in these activities, according to a along with the historic use along the river. sider the proposed amendments limiting
staf memo submitted to the commission.
The Whiteish River has had a no-wake access seasonally.
48YES 52NO “We feel like it largely accommodates restriction for the proposed section since The full commission agenda and addi-
% %
TOTAL VOTES: 252
the interest of both parties,” said Jim Sat- 1989. As non-motorized use, like stand-up tional information on the scheduled topics
terield, FWP regional supervisor.
paddleboarding, rises in popularity, city may be found on the FWP website.
The state received more than 200 writ-
oicials have raised concerns about safety
[email protected]

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