The US Forest Service is currently in the process of implementing a new river management plan for the Wild and Scenic Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River.  American Whitewater filed comments last February expressing the paddling community's interests in protecting the river and maintaining historic access on designated roads.  

Earlier this month the Forest Service released their predecisional environmental assessment and proposed actions.  The USFS proposes to maintain all exisiting designated roads but take steps to curtail off-road use that is damaging ecological and recreational values of the river corridor.  They specifically recognized the value of the incomparable Class IV and V whitewater boating opportunities provided by the Clarks Fork. 

Today, American Whitewater submitted a letter to the USFS in support of their proposed actions. 

Learn more about the plan below:

Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River Comprehensive Management Plan

• Scoping notice (31k) January 2008
• Description of the proposal (1mb) January 2008
• Predecisional environmental assessment (1.2mb) July 2009
• Cover letter for predecisional environmental assessment (22k) July 2009