Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials are extending the public comment period through December 16th on a draft recreation management plan and environmental assessment (EA) for the Blackfoot River.
“The Blackfoot River is important to a lot of people, and we’re finding that we continue to get a lot of good questions and input even as the end of the original 30-day public comment period draws to a close,” explained Lee Bastian, FWP’s Region 2 State Parks Supervisor in Missoula. “We decided to extend the comment period for another month so that we are able to engage everyone that is interested.”
FWP is adding a follow-up meeting to discuss the plan at the school gymnasium in Ovando on Thursday, Nov. 19th at 6:00 p.m. as part of the extension.
“We’ve had a lot of questions and comments on the plan coming out of Ovando and the upper Blackfoot area, and this meeting will be another opportunity to visit with these folks and others that are interested.”
FWP has already hosted an open house in Ovando and in Missoula to discuss the plan.
“We invite anyone interested in the Blackfoot River and its recreation resources to come out to the meeting in Ovando, or to give us a call to ask questions and then provide written feedback on the plan,” says Bastian.
FWP officials say that they are looking at several key issues which were identified by a citizen advisory committee, FWP staff and public input.
The primary proposals include continuing to manage for high volume summer use downstream from Whitaker Bridge; management actions to address congestion on the water in the upper sections of the river; restricting camping to designated locations in high-use reaches of the river and exploring opportunities for overnight float trips; and a permit allocation system that could be used in the future if conditions become undesirable on certain stretches of the river.
The public can review and comment on the 59-page draft plan and EA at any time by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16th.
Copies of the plan and EA are available by clicking here. Copies are also available from the Missoula and Helena FWP offices, or by calling (406) 542.5562.
Comments may be submitted in writing, via e-mail or may be mailed to: Blackfoot River Plan; Montana FWP, 3201 Spurgin Road; Missoula, MT 59804.
(from October 5, 2009) Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials want to know what you think about a plan to better manage the popular Blackfoot River.
The primary proposals include continuing to manage for large numbers downstream from Whitaker Bridge, dealing with congestion in the river's upper sections, restricting camping along high-use stretches, exploring opportunities for overnight float trips, and if conditions worsen, then using a permit allocation system on certain stretches of the river.
FWP will release the report on October 14th and then will accept public comment through November 16th.
Officials say they plan to hold a pair of open houses to discuss the proposals. One is planned for October 19th in the Ovando School gymnasium, and the other is set for November 5th at the Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown.
