The Flathead National Forest has released their Draft Comprehensive River Management Plan for the Wild and Scenic forks of the Flathead River, and is now seeking public comment. Little has changed with their plan since the “proposed action” they released for public comment over a year ago. Boaters are encouraged to submit a public comment by the March 13th deadline.
Located in northwest Montana, the forks of the Flathead River offer boaters the chance to fly, hike, ride a horse, or drive into multiple sections and experience clear emerald water, excellent scenery, and the chance to see a wide range of wildlife. Trip opportunities on each of these rivers allow for a lot of freedom and flexibility. It is a truly remarkable river system deserving careful management and protection.
The Forest Service proposes to implement some good river protection measures like firepan, group size, and groover requirements; a permit requirement but not to limit the number of permits; and to track use and other metrics in an effort to ensure use remains within proposed user capacities.
American Whitewater is supportive of these aspects of the plan, but we question the plan’s narrow focus on boating management and relative blindness to managing other visitors and to agency actions like timber harvesting and road building. In addition, some of the upper Middle Fork Flathead triggers and thresholds seem low and appear not to line up with the capacities outlined in the plan. These triggers and thresholds do not automatically trigger management limits, but regardless, they merit a harder look.
Boaters are encouraged to read the proposed action and share their thoughts with the Forest Service. Big picture, river runners may want to consider the following themes for comments:
- Support for permits, firepans, groovers, and group sizes.
- Request for equitable monitoring and management of boaters and non-boaters / resource users.
- Request for sideboards on agency projects to ensure river values are protected.
- Request that agencies ensure that triggers and thresholds accurately relate to capacities.
You can learn more and read the Draft CRMP here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/flathead/projects/56536
Submit your comments here: https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=56536
Learn more In a well-written Flathead Beacon article: https://flatheadbeacon.com/2026/02/19/its-not-perfect-but-were-proud-of-this-plan-agency-specialists-detail-revisions-to-wild-and-scenic-flathead-river-strategy/
American Whitewater’s Comments: AW Flathead Draft CRMP Comments