Groups say rafting, outfitting permits deserve more analysis

The Forest Service received more than 30 comments on its plan to renew special use permits for commercial rafting and fishing outfitting on the Middle and North Forks of the Flathead River.

The comments run the gamut, from those who question whether it’s a good idea to extend the permits for another 10 years, to comments from the outfitters themselves supporting the measure.

One of the most pointed concerns comes from the Flathead Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which is calling for further analysis before issuing the permits.

“Given the precarious status of threatened Bull Trout and westslope cutthroat trout in the Flathead and elsewhere it is inappropriate to use categorical exclusion to reissue 10-year permits. Negative effects of human and angler use on bull trout are well documented in the Federal Recovery Plan,” Wade Fredenberg, the president of Trout Unlimited writes.

They point to the high incidence of hook scars in fish (the fishery for cutthroat is all catch and release) and the increase in river use over the past decade.

“...The statement that these 10-year permits fit the categorical exclusion when ‘there are no changes to the authorized facilities or increases in the scope or magnitude of authorized activities’ is patently false.  Clearly there are increases in scope and magnitude over the past 30-50 years and those increases appear to be accelerating. The degree to which the permitted activities are contributing to this needs to be analyzed,” Fredenberg notes.

In addition to being the president of Trout Unlimited locally, Fredenberg has a deep background in fisheries management – he was the local bull trout recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for years.

Trout Unlimited did not oppose the reissuance of permits carte blanche, however, it simply asked for more analysis, namely getting the Comprehensive River Management Plan for the three forks of the Flathead River completed first.

The plan has been delayed for years and looks to be delayed again. A draft was supposed to come out this fall, now it will likely be sometime this winter, Forest Service officials said recently.

The plan is the overarching document regulating use on the 219 miles that make up the Flathead River system in the U.S.

“Flathead Valley Trout Unlimited does not support rubber stamping this permit process, especially not for another ten years ... It is high time to put some emphasis on getting the CRMP done, as there’s currently little evidence that the Forest is motivated to do so.  Further, Forest Service, Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks need to get in the same room and on the same page in regard to what is happening to our native trout resource and what should be done about it. We are hopeful, but candidly, not optimistic that the Comprehensive River Management Planning process will begin to bridge that gulf,” Fredenberg writes.

Columbia Falls resident and longtime outfitter and guide Hilary Hutcheson supported the reissuance of the permits her comments and notes that outfitters have a history of good stewardship of the resource.

“As (Glacier Raft Company) Outfitter of Record, I am proud to help guide an impressive team that provides safe, responsible, and educational rafting and fly-fishing experiences to global visitors of all ages and abilities. Glacier Raft Company should continue operating in the same capacity, with allowance for controlled growth,” she said. “Our clients appreciate our leadership role as river guardians. This is a responsibility my coworkers and I take seriously as we partner with biologists and river managers, community and industry leaders, non-profits and NGOs, and the greater recreating public. We value our teamwork with the United States Forest Service to strengthen and maintain solid river management. 

“We are focused on the environmental, recreational, and cultural connectivity of our public lands here at the Crown of the Continent. We take pride in providing guests with accurate information on hydrology, entomology, ecology, botany, climatology, wildlife biology, and the area’s cultural significance. While we enjoy working and playing on the Flathead River System, the river’s health and pristine longevity come first,” Hutcheson said.

Hutcheson also noted she’s testified in front of Congress on the impacts of climate change on the industry.

There are four major companies that guide rafting on the North and Middle Forks: Glacier Raft Co., Wild River, Great Northern and Montana Raft Co.

There is a fifth, too. Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church Bible Camp, where faith plays a role.

“I wanted to thank you for providing the time and opportunity for many high schoolers from Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church to experience God’s playground on the North Fork of the Flathead River. Montana is such a special place that many youth take for granted that live here. ... Having FLBC provide outings like this reaches many that do not have the opportunity and know how to do so. In addition, the youth came away with a greater understanding of the importance of caring for our lands and rivers through our own personal actions. The FLBC counselors were great stewards of the land and were natural leaders to the youth in this effort. Thank you for always keeping God’s creation in mind in all that you do at camp and beyond the camp property,” Steph Richardson Director of Youth Ministry for the church said.

But others claimed the rivers are simply getting too crowded.

“The Forest Service needs to remember their job is to take care of the Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Flathead, not fill the pocketbooks of the outfitters. There is nothing in the Wild and Scenic River law that says the Forest Service has to capitulate to the outfitters,” local resident Greg Schatz said.

Even some guides thought there should be more oversight.

“Most fishing guides employed by the rafting companies have little to no experience guiding anglers,” claimed Mark Fuller, head guide and owner of Wild Montana Anglers in West Glacier. “Most are seasonal workers living outside of the area except for the summer. The rafting companies knowingly hire these individuals without any previous fish guiding experience. It should be noted that there are some very good guides on the forks of the Flathead but they represent a low percentage of the overall number of fishing guides. The lack of experience with these guides is most evident in fish handling, river safety, and etiquette with other anglers using the river. By not implementing some sort of vetting process with the fishing guides that work on our low density, cutthroat and bull trout fisheries, the Forest Service will continue to see declines in the fisheries due to commercial misuse. It is of utmost importance that the permit holders be held to a high standard when using fishing guides and this has not been done.”

Another common theme was to simply authorize the permits for a couple of years, not 10, until the river plan was completed.

“I ask the Flathead Forest limit renewal of these commercial outfitter and guide permits to 1-2 years not 10 years. Once the CRMP is approved and in force 10-year renewals could be resumed. Another option would be to include additional language into any renewal contract that upon adoption of a new CRMP the contract will be revised immediately to reflect new requirements in the CRMP. I further request that any renewals require toilet systems be carried on all commercial river trips not just full day and multi day trips,” said Columbia Falls resident and frequent river user Mike Burr.

The Forest Service did not make the comments available in a public “reading room” like it has with other Forest Service issues.

It released them after the Hungry Horse News requested them through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Regardless of opinions on the matter, river use is definitely up.

Usage surged in 2021 but has since leveled off. In 2023, outfitters had about 69,592 service days on the lower Middle Fork, which is defined as being from Bear Creek to the House of Mystery. 

In 2021, that number was 101,105, as the pandemic closed the east side of Glacier Park, compressing visitation to the west side. 

In 2022, there were 71,896 service days on the lower Middle Fork. But prior to 2021, service days on the lower Middle Fork were far lower. For example, in 2015, it was 41,387 and in 2017, the busiest year in Glacier Park’s history, it was 54,848. 

The North Fork has also seen an increase in service days, though the Upper North Fork has varied a bit. 

In 2015, the Upper North Fork saw 732 service days, while the lower 548. 

By 2023, the upper actually saw less outfitting, with 679, but the lower was more than double, at 1,220. 

 A service day is a measure of use made up of one day or any part of one day on National Forest System lands for which an outfitter or guide provides services to a client. 

The total number of service days is calculated by multiplying each service day by the number of clients on the trip. For example, a three-day trip with five clients would be 15 service days. A two-hour trip with 10 clients would be 10 service days.