GREAT FALLS – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is proposing to install a portable toilet dumping and cleaning station known as a SCAT machine at the Eden Bridge takeout site on the Smith River and has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the project.
In May 2022, the Parks and Recreation Board approved the proposed change to the Smith River Biennial Rule requiring human waste pack-out using a department approved portable, self-contained toilet system. Installation of a SCAT machine would provide floaters a convenient and sanitary means of solid waste disposal at the conclusion of their float trip.
Development would consist of installing the SCAT machine within a precast building. An additional passive waste disposal system would be constructed adjacent to the precast building that will serve as a “backup” to the SCAT machine in case of a breakdown. Two 5,000-gallon holding tanks would be buried approximately 10 feet deep to contain the wastewater from the SCAT machine. A one-way, 25-foot-wide graveled ingress and egress road would be constructed, to allow vehicular access to the SCAT machine for the public and access to the buried holding tanks for a pumper truck.
To review the EA, go to https://fwp.mt.gov/public-notices/news/2022/jul/0706-smith-river-scat-machine-and-solid-waste-disposal-system-ea
FWP will accept comments on the proposed project until 5 p.m. on Aug. 8.
Comments can be emailed to: cmaas@mt.gov
Written comments can be mailed to:
Montana FWP
Attn. Colin Maas
4600 Giant Springs Road
Great Falls, MT 59405
-fwp-
