Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Seeks Public Input on River Recreation

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is inviting the public to share their experiences with river recreation through a newly launched survey on its website.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the increasing popularity of river activities, which has led to challenges such as user conflicts and congestion at access points.

As river recreation grows in certain regions, FWP has received a mix of feedback highlighting both the need to protect aquatic and terrestrial resources and differing opinions on effective management strategies.

The survey aims to capture these varied perspectives, providing crucial insights to the River Recreation Advisory Council (RRAC), which was recently appointed by FWP Director Dustin Temple.

The RRAC, comprised of 11 members from across Montana, is tasked with discussing and developing strategies for managing river recreation opportunities. Council members include Derek Young from Lakeside, Todd Frank and Ben Schmidt from Missoula, Abbey Thomas from Gardiner, and others from Dillon, Bozeman, Helena, Great Falls, and Billings.

The council will convene for an in-person workshop from October 16-18, with additional virtual meetings planned for later in the month if necessary. These discussions will play a vital role in shaping the council's final recommendations, which are scheduled to be presented in a virtual meeting in early November.

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All meetings will be open to the public, and details on how to participate will be made available on the RRAC webpage. FWP encourages community engagement, emphasizing the importance of collective input in crafting effective and sustainable river recreation management strategies that enhance the experience for all users across the state.