Church Slough Work Group to meet Aug. 18

KALISPELL — A group of citizens tasked with discussing recreational boating on Church Slough south of Kalispell is scheduled to meet for the second time on Aug. 18.

The group is meeting from 1-4:30 p.m. at the FWP office in Kalispell, 490 North Meridian. The public is invited to attend, and an opportunity for public comment will be provided.

At its second meeting, the work group will work to identify and evaluate potential management options and, if progress permits, establish final recommendations for recreational boating on Church Slough.

Church Slough is an approximately 195-acre waterbody adjacent to the lower Flathead River upstream of Flathead Lake that offers recreational opportunities for a variety of users.

Last winter the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission received a petition from members of the public to restrict motorized use on Church Slough to a controlled no-wake speed. At its Feb. 4 meeting, the commission chose not to adopt a no-wake restriction but rather have FWP establish a local working group to look at possible solutions that address recreational boat use on the slough. The working group is tasked with developing recommendations for the commission to consider for possible rule making.

FWP accepted applications from the public to serve on the volunteer work group this spring. The 11-member work group was chosen to reflect the diversity of perspectives and values embodied by the users and landowners surrounding Church Slough. During this process, FWP staff provides resource management knowledge and administrative support for the group.

While the work group will be responsible for generating recommendations, authority to implement would lie with FWP and the commission.

Church Slough Work Group Members: Erik Browne, Joe Lavadure, Denise VanArtsdale, Norman Coverdel, Maureen Louden, Jim Vashro, Rick Fetterhoff, Donna Pridmore, Larry Windnagle, Pam Holmquist, Sam Stricker.