State panel to hold hearing on Whitefish River

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a public hearing April 10 in Whitefish to consider amending boating rules on the Whitefish River. 

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at Whitefish City Hall, 418 Second St. E.

The Whitefish River currently has a no-wake restriction from the outlet of Whitefish Lake to the JP Bridge. This amendment would further restrict river traffic to manual and electric-powered watercraft from the railroad trestle south of Whitefish Lake outlet to the bridge on JP Road.

The city of Whitefish submitted the petition to restrict motorized boating in part to “provide a unique quiet and safe refuge for locals and visitors who are seeking an alternative recreational experience.”

People may submit their data, views or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing on April 10.

People also can submit comments through April 18 to: FWP, Region 1 Office, 490 North Meridian Road, Kalispell, MT 59901; by fax to 257-0349; or by email to cjust@mt.gov.

To view the proposed amendment, go to the following link:  http://fwp.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/armRules/pn_0150.html

The commission will analyze comments and make a final decision on the petition at its June 12 meeting.