New river rules target human waste

By CHRIS PETERSON / Hungry Horse News

Rafters, fishermen and other overnight users are going to have to mind their waste when using the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead.

New rules went into effect recently that require mandatory solid human waste containment along the river for overnight floater or river corridor users on a multi-day float or car camping where toilet facilities are not available.

For example, if a camper is staying at Sondreson Meadow to fish the North Fork, they are required to have a waste containment device if they are staying overnight, noted Flathead National Forest Resource Assistant Paula Peterson.

Self-contained systems are not required for folks camping at developed sites where pit toilets exist. For example, if you were floating the North Fork and you stayed the night at Great Northern Flats, you would not need a self-contained system, because Great Northern Flats has a toilet.

The rules mirror regulations of other popular river systems in the U.S., Peterson noted. They are not unique to this area.

Fire pans or blankets will also be mandatory for floaters in the wilderness portion of the Middle Fork Flathead River to eliminate fire ring scars.

Peterson said the new rules were put in place after river users complained about human waste at many places that aren't developed.

Instead of making a small hole and then burying human waste, people were just going where they pleased.

Then other users were complaining they had to clean up sites before they could even set up camp, because of the waste left behind by other folks.

"We're seeing more and more human waste in these dispersed locations," Peterson noted.

Rules have been posted at river access sites and Peterson said law enforcement and river rangers have begun a public awareness campaign as well.

Popular name brand systems include Restop and Wag Bags.

They work by using a powder in a sealable bag that neutralizes odor. The bags seal up so they don't spill and then they can be disposed of in the garbage when a user returns home from a trip. Dumping them in Forest Service pit toilets is illegal.

The bags are as little as $3 apiece which includes toilet paper, the bag and hand sanitizer.

Some systems even have a sealable bucket or toilet you can sit on and for more privacy, you can even get a tent that encloses the toilet.

You can view the new rules at www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/rec/wild_scenic_river/river_2008.shtml.