From the Montana Chapter of the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers:
The only good boat ramp on the Yellowstone River for more than fifty miles is accessed through a road on the USDA Fort Keogh Research Lab outside of Miles City. For decades, USDA Fort Keogh allowed fishermen, hunters and other recreationalists access to the site. Sadly, the site was shut down several years ago due to vandalism. A few bad eggs ruined it for the rest of us.
Wanting to find an amicable solution to reopen the site, the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, along with other sportsman’s groups, local businesses and local donors recently raised $10K for a keycode-activated gate that would provide the security and accountability needed to allow the site to be reopened.
Since then, however, the USDA has changed its tone on the project and is now citing additional liability challenges for delaying the project. We’re getting frustrated, to say the least.
Here’s how you can help: Please contact Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines and Representative Greg Gianforte and ask them to work with FWP and the USDA ARS Regional Plains Office in Fort Collins, CO to navigate the new challenges that are preventing this much-needed – and already paid for! – public access to the lower Yellowstone River.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease at times, and we need to lather it on thick right now. Our public access to public waters depends on it.
