SMITH RIVER RULE - Landowner Floating Rules Readjusted
&
RIVER RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS DUE BY NOVEMBER 18th

The two issues in this alert are in regards to river-recreation management. As Montana waters continue to be popular destinations for vacationing Americans, these issues will continue to demand our attention.

SMITH RIVER RULE -Landowner Floating Rules Readjusted

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has forwarded some modifications of the Smith River Rule in the section dealing with landowner floating opportunities. As the rule stands, landowners have unlimited floating opportunities within their own property lines, but the modifications will more closely define how these floats will be conducted. Comments will be taken until November 14th for FWP Commission action on this modification at December's Commission meeting.

Specifically the modifications will provide for closer monitoring of landowner floats and require documentation of these floats.

1.) Improved Landowner Reporting: Proposed changes require all landowner floats be recorded and documented. None is required at this time.
2.) Boat Tags Required: Two tags will be issued to be displayed when floating between property lines. None required at this time.
3.) Landowner Designated/Responsible Float Group Leader: Present rule requires a landowner or immediate family be present on these contiguous property floats, however at least one property along the Smith is owned by a corporation. Now, each landowner can designate an individual to accompany each landowner float party.

MWF believes that these modifications do add a degree of clarification for law enforcement officials given the task of monitoring river use. There still remains some question about how much use will be perpetuated by corporate tourist ranches. Perhaps each trip should still require a ranch manager on the trip to ensure that the allowance of landowner floats won't be abused.

All in all, these rules are an improvement but not all is clear. MWF wanted you to be informed of the upcoming modification of the Smith River Rule. Please add your comments so that the Commission has a good handle on the feelings of ordinary Montana sportsmen on this issue.

Nov. 4 - Helena, FWP Headquarters 1420 E. 6th. Ave. 6:30-9PM
Nov. 5 - Great Falls, FWP Regional Office 4600 Giant Springs Road
Nov. 6 - White Sulfur Springs, City Hall 105 W. Hampton

RIVER RECREATION ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS DUE BY NOVEMBER 18th

The public is invited to attend and comment on the River Recreation Advisory Council Report at meetings across Montana. MWF has reported on the Council's progress over the past year or so and now is the time to implement their findings. Presented to the Commission in early July, the 22 council members represented resident and non-resident anglers and boaters, outfitters, the tourism industry, landowners, the MT Legislature, and the FWP Commission. A copy is available from me here at MWF if you care to review it.

The 25 Guiding Principles developed as "working space" during the proceedings were recommended as guidelines for FWP when river recreation management policies and decisions become imminent. Those principles insured that:
* The rivers are a public resource
* That it is recognized that conservation of the river resource is a top priority.
* That managers should seek a balance between quality experience and unlimited use of Montana's increasingly popular rivers.
* That managers should provide a variety of recreational uses.

The council worked hard to consider all interests at the table, in order to achieve a well-balanced framework for making river recreation decisions.

Attend the following, all start at 6:30 or 7:00 PM with an introductory open-house:
Nov. 5 Missoula - Doubletree Hotel Edgewater, 100 Madison Ave.
Nov. 12 Bozeman - FWP Office, 1400- 19th
Nov. 17 Dillon - U of M Western, Matthews Hall, Lewis and Clark Room
Nov. 18 Billings - Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Lane
Nov. 19 Butte - Red Lion Hotel, 2100 Cornell

Thank you once more for stepping up for Montana's fish and wildlife resource.

Larry Copenhaver