36.25.154    RECREATIONAL USE ADVISORY COUNCIL

(1) The board shall, pursuant to 2-15-122, MCA, appoint from a list of persons nominated by recreationist and lessee groups a recreational use advisory council consisting of 3 recreationists and 3 lessees. The members shall serve without compensation, but they are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses pursuant to 2-15-122, MCA.

(2) The advisory council shall gather information and advise the director on the validity of management closure or restriction appeals made pursuant to ARM 36.25.153, on appeals of area manager decisions regarding site-specific closure petitions pursuant to ARM 36.25.152, and on whether to subject renewal of a block management agreement pursuant to ARM 36.25.167 to public review. In advising the director, the council shall attempt to provide reasonable recreational use of state lands within the bona fide management constraints of lessees.

(3) The following are general guidelines for the council's use in determining whether the term of a management closure or restriction is reasonable: for calving or lambing, 60 days; for breeding, 30 days; for gathering or moving, 1 day; for weed treatment, 5 days; and for concentration of 200 or more animal units per section for weaning and shipping, 30 days. The council may deviate from these guidelines as management circumstances dictate.

History: 77-1-804, MCA; IMP, 77-1-804 and 2-15-122, MCA; NEW, 1994 MAR p. 1844, Eff. 7/8/94; AMD, 1994 MAR p. 2002, Eff. 7/22/94; TRANS, 1996 MAR p. 2384.