State restricts motorized use on Whitefish River

The state Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved a non-motorized designation for a stretch of the Whitefish River.

The year-round rule brought forward by the city of Whitefish limits the river to manually and electric powered watercraft from the railroad trestle south of the Whitefish Lake outlet to the bridge at JP Road. The rule amends a no-wake restriction that was established in 1989.

The unanimous vote on Thursday in Bozeman reverses the Commission’s original decision on the matter. In June, it rejected Whitefish’s petition for a year-round closure and asked FWP to take public comment on a proposed seasonal closure.

Commissioner Gary Wolfe, of Missoula, said he changed his position after floating the river this summer.

“When I voted against this the first time, I was concerned about folks along river with docks,” he explained at the meeting. “On the day I floated, I saw numerous small docks in backyards. I did not see a single motorized craft either on the river or at those docks. I saw literally dozens of canoes, kayaks and paddleboards.”

“[The year-round restriction] seems like a reasonable request by the city. I’ve changed my position based on that trip to Whitefish and what I observed on a Sunday afternoon in late June.”

Commissioner Richard Stuker also changed his position from the June vote. Originally, he said he was concerned about setting a precedent in the state, but he since learned there are other rivers in Montana with non-motorized designations.

In motioning to approve the city’s petition, Commission Chairman Don Vermillion noted the potential economic impact associated with the non-motorized stretch of river.

“Whitefish is one of the more viable tourism communities in our state,” Vermillion said. “Anybody that looks at the economy of the state of Montana realizes what an incredibly crucial role tourism plays ... in this state’s economic health.”

“I hope this is successful — I think it will be.”

Whitefish Mayor John Muhlfeld applauded the decision.

“This is one more amenity that we’ve created in Whitefish, in addition to all the other assets, to support our recreation-based economy,” he said.

FWP Warden Captain Lee Anderson had recommended denial of the non-motorized proposal.

In addressing the Commission, he noted a time-lapse camera he set up in the closure area this summer that showed low levels of motorized use and few wake violations. He said FWP received only one complaint in the closure area.

Anderson said that while FWP recognized the strong public and political support to make the river non-motorized, it also received a significant number of comments in favor of keeping the status quo.

“FWP supports multiple public user groups, so long as use levels are sustainable and don’t damage the resource,” he said.

“The current no-wake rule limits resource damage, provides safety to all users, maintains historic recreational access by motorized vessels, and also provides a unique opportunity for non-motorized users.”

After the Commission voted down the original petition in June, public comment was taken on a seasonal closure of the river that was aimed at being a compromise.

Anderson said the seasonal compromise received only one comment in support. He counted 35 comments supporting status quo and 95 supporting a year-round closure.

“The majority wanted to see a full closure,” he said. “Neither group supported the compromise.”

Whitefish City Councilor Richard Hildner first proposed the non-motorized restriction in May of 2013. As a concerned citizen in the 1980s he pushed to establish the no-wake rule.

On Thursday, he told Commissioners the historical use on the river is changing. After looking at FWP’s time-lapse footage, he counted 420 non-motorized boats, compared to just 28 motorized.

“What is abundantly clear from the camera data is that non-motorized use far exceeds motorized,” he said. “The trend is pretty clear. Historical use is rapidly changing.”

Whitefish resident Michael Jamison added that use has changed since the river cleanup was completed last year. He called the river a “centerpiece” of the community.

“The lake provides tremendous opportunity for unlimited motorized use,” Jamison said. “The river is a special place for those who choose a different kind of use.”

He said his son often paddles up the river to the lake and fishes while he floats back.

“Those are the kinds of opportunities we’ll be jeopardizing [without a non-motorized designation],” he said.

Leonard Howke was the lone voice against the non-motorized plan. He said he’s lived on the river for 72 years and never has seen a problem with motor boats.

“I’d like to see the river kept as is and open to the public,” he said.