One of the best things about living in Montana is the river recreation opportunities.

However, the secret is out, and as river recreation grows in popularity, managing its impact has become a pressing concern.

The Montana Fish Wildlife in Parks Department has established a River Recreation Advisory Council (RRAC) to address these challenges.

River Recreation Challenges In Montana

Following a three-day workshop and a meeting earlier in November, the RRAC has made a few recommendations to address river overcrowding in Montana.

Congestion at access points has become increasingly common, and the committee aims to address these issues and develop potential solutions.

Montana River Management Plan

The council recommends creating a statewide river recreation management plan.

The plan would address challenges by:

• Incorporating existing rules and guidelines, including the River Recreation Management Planning Manual and current river management plans.
• Providing a clear framework for managing rivers sustainably.
• Establishing a data collection system to monitor river use and activity types.
• Hiring additional personnel to support river management needs.

The RRAC also developed guiding questions to help FWP determine whether specific rivers or stretches require full-scale management plans.

These questions focus on:

• Issue Identification: Assessing the type and severity of user conflicts and other concerns.
• Data Availability: Determine whether sufficient data exists or additional research is needed.
• Historical Review: Evaluating whether the river or stretch was previously examined for recreational conditions.

Based on the answers, FWP could recommend further action to the Fish and Wildlife Commission and initiate a detailed planning process where needed.

Opportunity for Public Input

The RRAC's recommendations are now open for public comment, allowing Montana residents and stakeholders to share their views.

The comment period will remain open until Dec. 23.

To review the recommendations and submit feedback, visit the official FWP website at: FWP River Recreation Advisory Council.

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