Fewer Float Permits

Smith River, Mont.

Floating permits for a popular Montana river could become even harder to get under a proposal before the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission to reduce the number of launches during peak season.

The regulations would decrease from 63 to 56 the number of weekly launches permitted from June 10 to July 10 on the Smith River. The final decision should be made this month.

“There is a certain level of solitude and quality of experience that we want to preserve,” said Arnold Olsen, parks division administrator.

There were five days in 1997 that saw 45 or more groups on the river.

In 1996 there were 14 days in which more than 300 floaters were on the river; in 1997 that rose to 21 days. The highest floater day in 1997 had a count of 447 individuals.