Page 48 - Flathead Beacon News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Did you know Flathead Lake currently has only 13 public access sites along its 180 miles of shoreline, 89% of which is flanked by long stretches of private land? Anyone who recreates on the lake will tell you that limited public access is leading to increased congestion at the existing sites, especially with use on the increase. But, it looks like public access will be improving, thanks to the generosity of a family and acquisition proposals put forth by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. This is a follow-up to a couple of our posts earlier this year. And Tristan Scott of the Flathead Beacon h...

Two large conservation easements approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission last Thursday drew fire for different reasons. This points to the difficulties of negotiating large agreements that benefit public access as well as landowners. Such agreements in the future will be in the hands of a new Fish, Wildlife & Parks director and fresh leadership in the governor’s office and Legislature. What’s more, the terms of three members of the Fish and Wildlife Commission expire at the end of the year and one member resigned this fall. Glasgow resident Andrew McKean was appointed to fill L...