LETTER: State park deal should be rescinded

I am deeply concerned about the decision made by the administration of Montana State Parks to allow exclusive  access for kayak and SUP rentals three days a week to one business.

Other rental businesses — 13 of them I believe — are not allowed to do business in Wayfarers State Park during those days. This decision was made, ostensibly, for business reasons to generate income. What concerns me is that the public was not engaged in this process. Indeed, until I read the Daily Inter Lake article about the Wayfarers decision to limit access to various local businesses, I had no knowledge of this action.

Montana Code Annotated, Section 23-1-110 requires the state commission to adopt rules that will establish a policy on specific procedures for considering improvements or development of state parks and fishing access sites that significantly change park or fishing access site features or use patterns. These rules must consider the wishes of users and the public, the capacity of the site for development, environmental impacts, long-range maintenance, protection of natural features and impacts on tourism.

The public knew nothing about the exclusive concession arrangement. The state did not follow its law. A big decision like this deserves in-depth research, facts and community involvement. We deserve a plan that fits Bigfork and its small independent businesses, and active engagement in the development of that plan.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “... when you make a mistake, don’t chase it.  Don’t defend it. When you make a mistake, acknowledge it. And when possible try to make amends.”

May I suggest to the Montana State Parks administration to rescind the exclusive contract immediately. Start over by gathering facts and figures, communicate with all parties involved including the community of Bigfork.

—Elsa Putzier, Bigfork