Meetings Set To Discuss Motorized Watercraft Conflicts In The State

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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has scheduled several open-house meetings this month to discuss recreation conflicts on Montana’s rivers, streams, and lakes.

In response to increasing demand for water-based recreation, the 1999 Legislature passed House Bill 626 which expands the FWP Commission’s authority to regulate watercraft for "public welfare" and "the resolution of conflicts between users of motorized and non-motorized boats." Public welfare has been further defined as "social conflicts on Montana waters." Montana waters are public fishing reservoirs, lakes, rivers, and streams legally accessible to the public.

The commission has called for scoping of issues related to the use of motorized watercraft on state waters and potential ways to resolve those issues. The purpose of this scoping effort is to provide the commission with information it can use to decide the nature of conflicts and possible methods to resolve those conflicts. The commission will examine the issue on all Montana waters, rather than on a case by case basis.

FWP will host open houses in the following communities:

Town Location Date Time Kalispell FWP Region 1 HQ - 490 N. Meridian Rd. Feb. 10 4-8 p.m. Polson City Library Feb. 10 4-8 p.m Libby City Hall Feb. 10 4-8 p.m. Missoula FWP Region 2 HQ - 3201 Spurgin Rd. Feb. 15 7-9 p.m Butte FWP Butte Area Resource Office 1820 Meadowlark Ln. Feb. 15 5-8 p.m. Billings FWP Region 5 HQ - 2300 Lake Elmo Dr. Feb. 15 7 p.m. Helena FWP HQ - 1420 E. 6 th Ave. Feb. 16 5-8 p.m. Bozeman Holiday Inn - 5 Baxter Ln. Feb. 17 5-8 p.m. Miles City Miles Community College - Room 106, 2715 Dickinson St. Feb. 22 7 p.m. Sheridan, Wyoming Sheridan Center Best Western - 610 N. Main Feb. 23 7 p.m. Billings FWP Region 5 HQ - 2300 Lake Elmo Dr. Feb. 24 7 p.m. Glasgow Cottonwood Inn - Highway 2 East Feb. 29 7 p.m.

For more information contact your nearest FWP office.