Canoeing on the Blackfoot
Next RRAFT Advisory Committee Meeting
May 21, 2008
FWP Region 2 Office
3201 Spurgin Road, Missoula
6:30 PM-9:00 PM
“With its classic trout habitat and incredible scenery, the Blackfoot River continues to grow in popularity. FWP, BLM and private landowners work cooperatively to protect the Blackfoot Corridor and its visitors. Please help us with your input in the planning process that shapes the future for this important recreational resource.”
- Joe Maurier
FWP Parks Administrator
Planning Process Overview
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, with assistance from federal and local agency representatives and a RRAFT advisory committee, is creating a Blackfoot River Recreation Management Plan and considering recommendations that can be applied to other rivers in west-central Montana where recreation management is becoming a high priority. The most recent recreation management document for the Blackfoot River, the Blackfoot River Recreation Management Direction, was adopted in 2000 and identified recreation management issues and provided a guiding vision of the recreational settings for defined sections of the river called reaches. This recreation management planning process will build on concepts contained within the recreation management direction to develop a management plan that will describe tools to address river recreation management issues and guide future management of recreation on the river. The Blackfoot River continues to be one of Montana’s most popular rivers for a variety of recreational opportunities including fishing, camping, swimming, rafting and relaxing. A Blackfoot River recreation management plan will play an important role in in protecting the Blackfoot’s outstanding river resources and in ensuring that the quality of the recreational experience remains high. This web page provides an overview of 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. Prior to the availability of the draft management plan, people may submit their ideas and comments at any time during the planning process.
| Timeline |
| Spring 2007 |
FWP Convenes the River Recreation Advisory for Tomorrow (RRAFT) Advisory Committee |
| Summer 2008 |
Draft Management Plan Available for Public Comment |
| Fall 2008 |
Final Decision on Management Plan |
| Spring 2009 |
Begin Implementation of Management Plan |
RRAFT Advisory Committee
FWP appointed an advisory committee to assist with the planning process. The committee, called the River Recreation Advisory for Tomorrow (RRAFT) committee, includes members of the recreating public, outfitters, and landowners. Representatives from federal and local government and FWP are involved to assist and support the committee. The committee is developing recommendations on various management issues and will present its work to the FWP Parks Division.
Management Issues
Below is a partial list of the Blackfoot River management issues that may be addressed in the planning process.
- Crowding on the river and at access sites
- User conflicts
- Unmanaged access
- Facility design and site management
- Parking and traffic
- Recreationist behavior
Blackfoot River Management Documents and Rules
- Blackfoot Special Recreation Permit Program (2005)
- Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor Landowner’s Agreement (Revised 2005)
- Blackfoot River Recreation Management Direction (2000)
