Proposal looks to place restrictions on Whitefish River

The use of motorized watercraft on the Whitefish River may become even more limited if proposed regulations are approved by the state Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The Quiet Waters Initiative was submitted to the Commission earlier this year by the Montana Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. The initiative could affect boating on several Northwest Montana waters including the Whitefish, Flathead, Swan and Stillwater rivers, along with Swift and Lazy creeks.

The groups says the rules would prevent the increasing number of conflicts between wildlife and water recreationists on the state’s waterways.

“Montana’s rivers and streams comprise less than 1 percent of our landscapes, but are valued and used disproportionately by people, wildlife and, of course, fish,” the groups writes in its proposal. “They are the focal points of communities, offer recreational opportunities for non-motorized and motorized uses, as well as provide important habitats for wildlife and fish.”

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is accepting public comments on the proposals until Jan. 13, 2017.

The Whitefish River already has a nonmotorized designation for a stretch of the river. The year-round rule approved two years ago limits the river to manually and electric powered watercraft from the railroad trestle south of the Whitefish Lake outlet to the bridge on JP Road.

If approved, the new regulations would extend from the JP Road bridge to its confluence with the Stillwater River. The new no-wake zone would apply from July 1 through Sept. 15. Personal watercraft will also be prohibited on the river from JP Road to the confluence with the Stillwater River.

Personal watercraft refers to motorized watercraft including Jet Skis, Wave Runners, Sea-Doos and similar type craft.

On the Flathead River, from the confluence of the South Fork of the river to the Highway 35 bridge would be closed to personal watercraft and would also be a no-wake zone from June 1 to Oct. 15.

The regulations would also ban motorized watercraft on Swift Creek and Lazy Creek, which both flow into the north end of Whitefish Lake.

The length of the Stillwater River from Upper Stillwater Lake to its confluence with the Flathead River would be a no-wake zone and personal watercraft would not be allowed on the section either.

For the Swan River, the existing no-wake zone from Swan Lake would extend to the headwaters of Lindbergh Lake. The zone now only extends to the Porcupine Bridge. Seasonal restricts on motorized watercraft from Swan Lake to the confluence with Bear Creek would remain, limiting no-wake speed from July 1 to Sept. 15.

Additional restrictions are proposed for the Missouri, Bitterroot, Yellowstone, Marias and Sun rivers.

FWP is holding public hearings across the state to gather comments on the proposal. The first meeting is at FWP Region 1 office in Kalispell on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 6 p.m.

Comments may be submitted to: Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Attn: Quiet Waters Petition, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, Montana, 59620-0701; or e-mail QuietWaters@mt.gov, and must be received no later than Jan. 13, 2017. For more information, visit http://fwp.mt.gov/news/publicNotices/rules/pn_0218.html.