Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Smith River Management Plan
I love a Smith float and hopefully Autumn, Ed Jr. and I will be able to float it for years to come. Anyway FWP has posted the new management plan, which has some good ideas and they are looking for public comment...anyway, here are my comments and if you agree or disagree, please at least voice your opinion www.fwp.mt.gov
In Article IX, Section 3, Part 3 of the Montana Constitution, it is identified that all surface, underground, flood, and atmospheric waters within the boundaries of the state are the property of the state for the use of its people. Being that there is restricted use on the Smith, it is unconstitutional for FWP to allocate outfitters 15% of launches, since that allocation provides an unfair advantage to a non-resident who is wealthy enough to afford an outfitter over your average Montanan. Shouldn't the people who live and pay taxes in Montana have at least an equal opportunity to float the Smith River? One outfitter’s price for a Smith trip is $4,100 per person. I have been able to put together a private Smith trip for less than $100/person including shuttle.
My recommendation to remain compliant with the intent of Section 23-2-402, MCA, of the Smith River Management Act is to restrict outfitter use the same as public use. Let the outfitters, their guides, and potential clients enter the permit lottery. If a member of the public receives a Smith River Permit and wants to hire an outfitter, then let the outfitters compete for their clients. This type of unbiased and equal opportunity lottery system would level the playing field between commercial and private use.
The current system gurantees a wealthy non-resident a trip down the Smith with an outfitter, whereas an average Montanan statistically may never receive a permit in their lifetime, which I believe is wrong
My second comment is that the continued allowance of unlined pit toilets in a fee based use system constitutes FWP operating a solid waste management system without a license in violation of 75-10-221, MCA, of the Montana Solid Waste Management Act. These pit-toilets are attractants to disease vectors, and are a huge waste of FWP human resources digging them and maintaining them every year. The Salmon River system in Idaho has required that human waste be packed out for years, and it has been a very successful program. The bottom line is that there are only so many holes that FWP can dig before there is a significant public health issue at the camp sites.
Thanks
My recommendation to remain compliant with the intent of Section 23-2-402, MCA, of the Smith River Management Act is to restrict outfitter use the same as public use. Let the outfitters, their guides, and potential clients enter the permit lottery. If a member of the public receives a Smith River Permit and wants to hire an outfitter, then let the outfitters compete for their clients. This type of unbiased and equal opportunity lottery system would level the playing field between commercial and private use.
The current system gurantees a wealthy non-resident a trip down the Smith with an outfitter, whereas an average Montanan statistically may never receive a permit in their lifetime, which I believe is wrong
My second comment is that the continued allowance of unlined pit toilets in a fee based use system constitutes FWP operating a solid waste management system without a license in violation of 75-10-221, MCA, of the Montana Solid Waste Management Act. These pit-toilets are attractants to disease vectors, and are a huge waste of FWP human resources digging them and maintaining them every year. The Salmon River system in Idaho has required that human waste be packed out for years, and it has been a very successful program. The bottom line is that there are only so many holes that FWP can dig before there is a significant public health issue at the camp sites.
Thanks
Groover
Friday, December 05, 2008
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