Planning Process Overview

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, with assistance from the Lewis and Clark and Helena National forests and a citizen advisory committee, is updating the Smith River State Park and River Corridor Management Plan. The existing management plan was adopted in 1996. Based on floater surveys, public satisfaction with the Smith River experience remains high, which indicates many aspects of the program are working well and not in need of change. Some challenges need to be considered to ensure the quality of the recreation experience remains high and to protect the outstanding river resources. This web page provides an overview on the planning process and identifies opportunities for the public to engage in the process.

Public Involvement Opportunities and Timeline

FWP will provide opportunities for the public to comment on the draft management plan. FWP will conduct public meetings (dates and locations to be announced) and provide a formal comment period. The draft management plan will be posted on this site. Before availability of the draft management plan, people may submit the ideas and comments at any time during the planning process.

Timeline
Spring 2007	FWP convenes Smith River Citizen Advisory Committee
Fall 2008	Draft Management Plan available for public comment
Fall 2008	Final Decision on Management Plan
Spring 2009	Begin Implementation of Management Plan

Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC)

FWP appointed a citizen advisory committee to assist with the planning process. The committee includes members of the recreating public, outfitters, landowners, and representatives from county, state, and federal government. The committee is developing recommendations on various management issues and will present its work to the FWP Parks Division.

• List of the committee members
• CAC Meeting Notes
• Committee Charter ( 224 KB)

Management Issues

Below is a partial list of the Smith River management issues that may be addressed in the planning process:

• Human waste management
• Food storage
• Group sizes and numbers of floaters
• Boat camp selection process
• Permit allocation system
• Resource conditions at boat camps

Smith River Management Documents and Rules

• Smith River Special Use Area Rule (2007)
• Smith River Management Plan (1996) ( 8 MB)
• Smith River Management Act (1989)