Citizen work group meeting Sept. 5 to discuss boating regulations on Lake Five in Flathead County

KALISPELL — A group of citizens tasked with discussing recreational boating on Lake Five near West Glacier is gathering for a second time on Sept. 5.

The Lake Five Work Group will meet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office in Kalispell, 490 N. Meridian. The meeting is open to the public, and an opportunity for public input will be provided. The public will be able to participate virtually and more information is posted online at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/regions/region1.

The group met for the first time on Aug. 24 and discussed topics related to safety, natural resources, and recreational use on Lake Five. 

In October 2022, the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission received a petition from members of the public seeking to prohibit wake surfing and the use of ballast tanks and devices to increase wake size on Lake Five throughout the year and to implement a no-wake restriction on the lake seasonally from April 1 until July 15.

At its Feb. 22 meeting, the commission chose not to initiate rule making on proposed restrictions but rather have FWP facilitate a local work group tasked with discussing the issue and developing a recommendation to address recreational boat use on Lake Five located off U.S. Highway 2 in Flathead County. The commission will consider recommendations for possible rule making, which, if initiated, would include a public comment process.

FWP sought applicants for the work group and chose 10 members of the public from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. The members are:

• Suzy Boylan

• Sean Hinchey

• Sammi Johnson

• Rachell Lietz Wilde

• Gail Linne

• Peter Martin

• Jean Pinski

• Dan Simonson

• Duane VanDyke

• Austin Zomer