The possibility of instituting a permit system for floating through sections of the popular Blackfoot River is one idea under consideration by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks in a draft Environmental Assessment issued this week.

Other ideas being tossed about in the draft Blackfoot River Recreation Plan include restricting camping to designated sites, registering before floating certain sections of the river, redesigning fishing access sites and expanding opportunities for overnight camping trips.

Putting those ideas forward doesn't mean they'll necessarily be instituted, noted Chet Crowser, FWP river recreation manager. But as more people use the Blackfoot River, which flows 132 miles from its headwaters between Flesher and Rogers passes near the Continental Divide to its confluence with the Clark Fork River near Bonner, changes may be needed so that users continue to enjoy a high-quality experience.

He said an estimated 75,000 people float, fish or otherwise play on the river each year.

The first management plan for the river was put together in 1976, and has evolved since then. In 2007, FWP appointed the 25-member River Recreation Advisory for Tomorrow (RRAFT) Committee, including anglers, boaters, private landowners, commercial outfitters and conservationists, who worked with county, state and federal agencies to take a close look at river activities, and come up with a way to accommodate the variety of interests.

The committee held 30 meetings from June 2007 through May 2009 to develop recommendations for managing recreation and now is seeking public input on its proposal.

"A big part of the discussion focused on the least restrictive opportunities while continuing to provide a quality experience," Crowser said. "The agency, as well as the committee, is looking forward to having the public take a look at the draft."

Located along Highway 200 between Lincoln and Missoula, the Blackfoot River is one of 12 renowned "Blue Ribbon" rivers in Montana and is one of Montana's most popular rivers for recreation. About 65 percent of the land along the river is private, with the rest being a mix of state, federal and nonprofit ownership. FWP has 14 parcels, most of which are fishing access sites.

"The Blackfoot is revered for its outstanding resources and recreational opportunities," said Lee Bastian, FWP's Region 2 State Parks Supervisor in Missoula. "There is also a long and successful history of cooperation between the recreating pubic, landowners, and the government agencies, an approach that is embraced by this plan and critical for the future protection of this amazing river."

The plan breaks the Blackfoot River and its North Fork tributary into eight stretches, noting that each section often has different uses. The theory is the lower reaches will be managed for higher volumes of recreational use, while emphasizing positive behavior and natural resource protection, and the upper sections for lower volumes of use and resource protection.

"This could include a permit system for Reach 3 (Harry Morgan FAS to Russell Gates FAS) that could be implemented if less restrictive management actions fail to achieve desirable conditions," the plan states.

Officials said that while the current management actions are working well, they created the Environmental Assessment to examine the predicted impacts of implementing this plan and alternative actions - although the only alternative to the proposed plans is the "no action" option. But the document also notes throughout it that at this point they're just monitoring the situation.

The public is invited to review and comment on the 59-page draft plan and EA, which will be posted online on Oct. 14, with the comment period ending on Nov. 16. To view the plan go online to www.fwp.mt.gov and click on the "Blackfoot River Plan." Copies of the Blackfoot River management plan and EA are also available from the Missoula and Helena FWP offices, or by calling 406-542-5562.

Crowser said they'll try to get the document posted online earlier, but they're still working out a few technical glitches.

FWP will host two open houses to discuss the draft plan and EA. The public is invited to show up any time between 6 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the Ovando school gymnasium and on Nov. 5 at the Holiday Inn in downtown Missoula. Comments may be submitted in writing at the open houses, via e-mail to blackfootcomments@mt.gov, or online at www.fwp.mt.gov. Click "Blackfoot River Plan." Mail written comments to: Blackfoot River Plan; Montana FWP, 3201 Spurgin Road; Missoula, MT 59804.

"The advisory committee was extremely helpful in developing this draft plan," Bastian said. "It is now up to the public to provide feedback on the committee's work."

The final plan will be based on public comments, the committee's recommendations, the results of the EA, and input from staff.