BEFORE THE FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the amendment of ARM 12.11.6302 and 12.11.6306 pertaining to recreational use on the Bitterroot River

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

            1. On March 19, 2019, at 6:00 p.m., the Fish and Wildlife Commission (commission) will hold a public hearing at the Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1801 North First Street, Hamilton, Montana, to consider the proposed amendment of the above-stated rules.

 

2. The commission will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to participate in this rulemaking process or need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, contact the department no later than March 8, 2019, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Jessica Snyder, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, Montana, 59620-0701; telephone (406) 444-9785; or e-mail [email protected].

 

3. The rules as proposed to be amended provide as follows, new matter underlined, deleted matter interlined:

 

            12.11.6302 BITTERROOT RIVER COMMERCIAL USE PERMIT RESTRICTIONS (1)  Bitterroot River commercial use permit holders are restricted to two floats launches per section per day from June 1 to September 15 in the following areas:

            (a)  Painted Rocks Dam to Applebury Forest Service Site;

            (b)  Applebury Forest Service Site to Trapper Creek Job Corp Site;

            (c)  Trapper Creek Job Corp Site to Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site; and

            (d)  Hannon Memorial Fishing Access Site to Wally Crawford Fishing Access Site.

            (2) For the purposes of this rule, "launch" means the placement of a vessel in the water and traveling downstream.  A vessel that is docked or beached without exiting the river may continue downstream without it counting as a second launch.

            (2) remains the same but is renumbered (3).

           

           AUTH: 87-1-303, MCA

IMP:  87-1-303, MCA

 

            12.11.6306 REVIEW OF RIVER RECREATION RULES FOR BITTERROOT RIVER (1)  The commission shall review the rules governing recreational use on the Bitterroot River every five years starting in 2024 2022.

 

           AUTH: 87-1-303, MCA

IMP:  87-1-303, MCA

 

REASON: In 2017, the commission proposed administrative rules restricting recreational and commercial use on portions of the Bitterroot River and establishing the Bitterroot River Commercial Use Permit.  The rules were proposed to address concerns about congestion on the river and social conflicts between river users and were based on the recommendations of a citizen advisory council (CAC) in accordance with the River Recreation Management Rules. During public comment regarding the proposed rules, several people stated they wanted the restriction of commercial use permit holders be changed from "two floats per section" to "two launches per section." The commission adopted the new administrative rules at their December 7, 2017 meeting without changing the terminology of "floats" to "launches" and directed the department to evaluate the effectiveness of the rule after the first year of implementation to see if any amendments would be necessary. 

 

The department analyzed the 2018 monitoring data and on January 7, 2019, held a meeting which included eleven of the sixteen CAC members that developed the rule language proposed in 2017 to develop any recommended amendments to the rule language. Based on the data analysis and feedback provided at the meeting, the commission is proposing amending ARM 12.11.6302 to change "floats" to "launches," provide a definition for "launch," and provide a timeframe from June 1 to September 15 for the launch restriction per section of river for commercial use permit holders instead of the restriction being year-round.

 

The commission is also proposing to amend ARM 12.11.6306 to reflect the correct starting year that the five-year review is to occur.

 

4. Concerned persons may submit their data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing.  Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to: Bitterroot River Recreation, Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, 3201 Spurgin Road, Missoula, MT, 59804; or e-mail [email protected], and must be received no later than March 22, 2019.

 

5. Jessica Snyder or another hearing officer appointed by the department has been designated to preside over and conduct this hearing.

 

6. The department maintains a list of interested persons who wish to receive notice of rulemaking actions proposed by the department or commission. Persons who wish to have their name added to the list shall make written request that includes the name and mailing address of the person to receive the notice and specifies the subject or subjects about which the person wishes to receive notice. Such written request may be mailed or delivered to Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Legal Unit, P.O. Box 200701, 1420 East Sixth Avenue, Helena, MT 59620-0701, or may be made by completing the request form at any rules hearing held by the department.

 

7. The bill sponsor contact requirements of 2-4-302, MCA, do not apply.

 

8. With regard to the requirements of 2-4-111, MCA, the department has determined that the amendment of the above-referenced rules will not significantly and directly impact small businesses. 

 

 

/s/ Rebecca Dockter                                     /s/ Dan Vermillion

Rebecca Dockter                                          Dan Vermillion

Rule Reviewer                                              Chair

Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks         Fish and Wildlife Commission

           

Certified to the Secretary of State February 12, 2019.