Comment Deadline: March 13th
The Flathead National Forest has released a complete draft of its new management plan for the North, Middle and South Forks of the Flathead River, along with an environmental assessment, and is asking for public feedback. Protected under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act since 1976, the forks of the Flathead contain some of the most exceptional water quality, fish and habitat, scenery, and outstanding wild river recreation in the West. However, many of these and other outstandingly remarkable values this river system contains are already feeling the strain from rapidly increasing recreational pressures, and changing environmental conditions driven by climate change, trends likely to accelerate within the life of this new plan.
What’s at Stake
As the new management plan is likely to be in place for 20 - 30 years, it’s critical that we get a forward-looking management plan that will truly protect this river system and facilitate adaptive management as conditions change, not just accommodate ever increasing use. We’re concerned the Forest Service has not quite struck the right balance with this draft plan and would like to provide key feedback with your help.
Please ask the Forest Service to improve their proposed management plan.
The Forest Service is accepting public comment through March 13th, 2026. Ask them to prioritize protecting water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and high-quality river experiences, not just accommodate ever-more use.
Please consider including the following in your comments:
- Share what you love about the Forks of the Flathead River and want to see the plan protect / maintain, like water quality, native fisheries, abundant wildlife, wilderness float trips, etc.
- Express concern that environmental and cultural resources are already being heavily impacted by human activities and the plan could allow far too much growth in recreational use before triggering meaningful actions to address impacts.
- Ask for a stronger, more comprehensive monitoring plan with actionable triggers and thresholds, including additional monitoring of wildlife presence and distribution, water quality, and shoreline vegetation conditions.
- Support the proposed ban on camping with motor vehicles on gravel bars as well as the proposed no-stopping requirement near the Goat Lick to protect mountain goats; encourage the USFS to initiate their proposed ban on dogs around the Goat Lick from day one, and not wait for more goats to be harassed first.
- Ask the Forest Service to require all river parties to pack out solid human waste, a common best practice on rivers across the West.
Your personalized comments help the Forest Service understand public concerns, learn new information, and improve the plan.
Or by mail or hand delivery to:
Rob Davies, Hungry Horse Ranger District
PO Box 190340
Hungry Horse, MT 59919
Learn More
Visit the Forest Service’s Comprehensive River Management Plan project page to download project documents.