The draft report of the Montana State Parks Futures II Committee, appointed by Governor Judy Martz, is available for public review and comment through Sept. 20. The public will also have an opportunity to comment during a simulcast public meeting linking eight sites around the state via satellite on Sept. 11 from 7-9 p.m.

The State Parks Futures II Committee reviewed the Montana State Parks system and its operations, management and direction and sought public input over the course of the past year. The committee's draft report recommends that State Park information, education and marketing be improved; that Native American aspects of State Parks be strengthened; that maintenance of State Parks be sustained or improved, and that a State Park be established in northeastern Montana.

The committee identified several potential funding options, including: increasing user fees; increasing the RV fee; imposing a vehicle license plate fee to replace park entrance fees; and charging a registration fee on non-motorized boats with the revenue dedicated in part to State Parks.

The Committee's final report and recommendations will be used by the Governor, the 2003 Legislature, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in making future decisions about the parks.

Locations for the public meeting are:

MSU – Billings

1500 N 30^th St.

Special Ed Bldg., Rm. 159

Billings, MT

MSU – Bozeman

EPS Bldg., S. 7^th & Grant

Bums Center Rm. 126

Bozeman, MT

WMC – Dillon

710 S Atlantic

Library, Montana Rm., 2^nd Floor

Dillon, MT

Great Falls College of Technology

20100 16^th Ave. S, Rm. B-103

Great Falls, MT

Helena College of Technology

1115 N. Roberts St., Rm. 106

Helena, MT

Flathead Valley Community College

777 Grandview Dr.

Learning Resource Center., Rm. 120

Kalispell, MT

Miles Community College

2715 Dickerson St., Rm. 106

Miles City, MT

U of M – Missoula

Corner of Arthur and Eddy

Gallagher Bldg, Rm. 104

Missoula, MT

Copies of the draft report are available by contacting the Parks Division of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks at 406-444-3750; on the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us on the Parks page, or at local libraries around the state. For more information on the statewide simulcast public meeting call 406-444-3750.