The public has many questions about the Blackfoot River Recreation Management Plan. We hope that you can find the answers to your questions below. If not, you may submit your questions as follows:
- Call Chet Crowser at (406) 542-5562.
- Fill out this form to submit your questions via the website.
Q.How can the public participate in the planning process?
A.For the first part of the planning process FWP is working with a citizen advisory committee that is representative of the various publics that have a connection to the Blackfoot River. When the advisory committee has completed its recommendations, FWP will schedule official public meetings in order for people to review and comment on a draft management plan. The meeting schedule is not known at this time but will be posted on this web site and announced in news releases. The public may provide input any time during the planning process. Use this web site to submit comments online or mail comments to:
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Attn: Blackfoot River Recreation Planning Process
3201 Spurgin Road
Missoula, MT 59804
Q.What is the role of the citizen advisory committee?
A.FWP appointed a citizen advisory committee to assist with the planning process. The committee members are a cross section of the public and represent the interests of private boaters, outfitters, landowners, agencies, and the public at large. The committee’s role is to make recommendations to FWP. Ultimately FWP will make planning decisions based on the recommendations of the committee, comments from the general public, and input from agencies.
Q.How do I contact a member of the citizen advisory committee?
A.The easiest way to contact a member of the citizen advisory committee is to submit a comment online using this web site. You can send an email to the entire committee or indicate the name of the committee member you want to receive the comment and FWP will forward it to that person. You may also mail your comment to FWP at the address above.
Q.What is the timeline for the planning process?
A.The citizen advisory committee started its monthly meetings in June of 2007. FWP anticipates that the committee will complete its work in the summer of 2008. At such time FWP will circulate a draft management plan for public review and comment. FWP anticipates having a completed management plan in the fall of 2008. Any changes initiated by the new plan would be implemented beginning in 2009.
Q.How might a management plan change the way the Blackfoot is managed today?
A.FWP began the planning process with the assumption that there are aspects of recreation management on the Blackfoot that are working well and are probably not in need of an overhaul. There are some management issues that are of concern and may result in changes. Is the river becoming too crowded? What kinds of recreation experiences should FWP manage for? How might FWP address impacts associated with pioneered access sites? These are a few of the challenging questions being considered in the planning process.
Q.What role do federal and local agencies have in the planning process?
A.Public land ownership along the Blackfoot River is comprised of various federal, state and local agencies with individual management responsibilites. Cooperative agreements between these agencies can help provide safe and high quality recreational opportunities to the public. Cooperative agreements currently exist between FWP, the Bureau of Land Management and Missoula County for managing recreational use. Continuing this cooperative approach through the planning process will enable the development of management goals that consider our cooperative partners in river recreation management.There are federal and local agency representatives on the advisory committee that will assist with the development of the management plan.
