FISH CREEK STATE PARK Draft Management Plan DECEMBER 2013 Explore More. Montana State Parks Our Mission is... To preserve and protect our state’s heritage and the natural beauty of our public lands for the benefit of our families, communities, local economies and out-of-state visitors. Our Objectives are... To provide excellent land stewardship, public safety and service through recreation, innovation and education. Our Goals are... To provide an extraordinary experience for our visitors and to keep our state park system strong now and for generations to come. Prepared by Montana State Parks A Division of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 1420 6th East Avenue P.O. Box 200701 Helena, MT 59620-0701 (406) 444-3750 www.stateparks.mt.gov FISH CREEK STATE PARK DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN Fish Creek State Park Management Plan Approved Signatures Recommended by: ________________________________ ____________ Chas Van Genderen Date Administrator, Montana State Parks Approved by: ________________________________ ____________ Tom Towe Date Chairman, Montana State Parks & Recreation Board ________________________________ ____________ Jeff Hagener Date Director, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks i FISH CREEK STATE PARK DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN Acknowledgements Montana State Parks would like to thank the following people for their thoughtful insight and contributions to the Fish Creek State Park Management Plan: Members of the public, neighboring landowners and interested organizations who took time to attend scoping meetings, review the plan and provide constructive input regarding the future of the Fish Creek State Park. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks staff: Parks Division Dave Landstrom Northwest Regional Parks Manager Tom Reilly Parks Division Assistant Administrator Seth McArthur Snowmobile Grant Coordinator Jim Norlander OHV Grant Coordinator Beth Shumate Recreational Trails Program Coordinator Fish & Wildlife Divisions Randy Arnold Regional Supervisor Mike Thompson Wildlife Manager Joe Jaquith Warden Captain James Jonkel Wildlife Management Specialist (Bear) Vickie Edwards Wildlife Biologist Kristy Dubois Wildlife Biologist Ladd Knotek Fisheries Biologist Vivaca Crowser Information & Education Manager Sharon Rose Administrative Support External agencies and organizations: Mineral County Commissioners Chris Partyka U.S. Forest Service Chad Benson U.S. Forest Service Bob Storer Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Tony Liane Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Racene Friede Glacier Country Tourism The plan was prepared by the Fish Creek State Park Planning Team: Maren Murphy Parks and Recreation Planner Roger Semler Assistant Administrator/Chief of Operations Chet Crowser West Central Regional Parks Manager Mike Hathaway Fish Creek State Park Manager ii FISH CREEK STATE PARK DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN Executive Summary Park Context Fish Creek State Park is the largest state park in western Montana and the second largest in the Montana State Parks system at 5,603 acres. The Park presents a unique opportunity for Montana State Parks to create a regional destination in Mineral County. Diverse recreation opportunities in an array of park settings could support economic development in nearby communities while also showcasing the unique natural resources of the Fish Creek area. The Park’s main attractions fare the convenient location along Interstate 90 and close proximity to the greater Missoula metro area citizens, the potential to provide for developed camping and a trail system, and the rustic setting and scenic vistas that connect to larger landscapes. The Park has an extensive road system that could serve as the basis for a high-quality trail system for non- motorized and motorized recreation. Trails could connect visitors to the Park’s recreational and natural resources as well as to expansive regional opportunities through safe and fun experiences. The Park also includes spectacular opportunities for wildlife viewing and nature observation, as well as supporting the continued use of historic activities like hunting, fishing, berry picking, and firewood cutting. Development of visitor amenities at Fish Creek State Park could enhance recreation on the Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area, along the Alberton Gorge, and on adjacent state trust lands and nearby National Forest System Lands. Public Scoping Public scoping early on in the planning process identified a number of public values that helped shaped the development of this management plan. Comments spoke of the desire for more camping opportunities, including a developed campground that could accommodate RVs, as well as rustic camping for tents and hike-in/bike-in backcountry sites. The public was also interested in seeing the Williams Peak Lookout restored for public overnight use. Mountain biking and motorized recreation user groups voiced their interest in a trails experience at the Park, and these groups expressed a strong desire to see trails built specifically for mountain biking and OHV use. Comments also showed strong support for maintaining and enhancing the natural resources values of the Park, including protection of big game habitat, the riparian area along Fish Creek, and sensitivity to the wildlife migration corridor along the northwestern border of the Park. Mineral County Commissioners and County residents spoke of the need to enhance opportunities for economic development in conjunction with the Park’s development, and stressed strong partnerships with local communities and businesses. A number of other concerns were also highlighted including public safety and enforcement, road management, forest management, weed control, and private property rights. A full discussion of feedback received is provided in the Public Scoping Summary, Appendix B. The Fish Creek State Park Draft Management Plan proposes guidance and the desired outcomes over the next ten years for Fish Creek State Park. The priorities have been developed based on public scoping and comment, Fish Creek State Park staff input, Montana State Parks and FWP staff expertise, partner agency feedback, funding considerations, and resource availability. Implementation As a long-term management plan, objectives and action items would be implemented in phases based on priorities and opportunities for implementation. Fundamental needs for a new state park to meet Montana State Parks system standards would be pursed first to establish a strong State Parks presence and build an understanding of the Fish Creek State Park rules and regulations. These fundamental needs include: • Pursue adequate staffing in response to anticipated growth and visitation • Sign park boundary in appropriate places iii FISH CREEK STATE PARK DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN • Install park entry signs and kiosks • Post key regulations at appropriate locations • Install fee collection devices in appropriate locations • Pursue establishment of visitor point of contact • Disseminate appropriate information on recreation opportunities • Engage in educational and preventative enforcement of park regulations Prior to implementation, certain development projects will be subject to an environmental assessment and additional public review as required by the Montana Environmental Policy Act. As the plan is implemented, communication and coordination will be a critical component between the FWP Parks Division and Fish and Wildlife Divisions, as well as with partnering agencies. Communication with neighboring land owners, both public and private, will be essential to ensure a quality recreation experience across boundaries, as well as to maintain private property rights and reduce impacts to private lands. Plan Highlights Public safety and enforcement: As development of the Park would increase visits to the area, public safety and enforcement would be a central focus for park management, and would be integrated into the daily park operations with a progressive approach to incident planning, response and management. Increasing park staff and law enforcement presence would help to positively influence visitor behavior and the perception of Montana State Parks by emphasizing education, outreach, proactive and preventative law enforcement techniques and approaches. Developed campground: The Park has easy access from I-90 along the northern park boundary where development of a modern campground could be built, with facilities to support RV camping including electrical hook-ups, water, sewer and clean, attractive, modern shower/toilet buildings. The area currently does not have a campground that offers these amenities. A develop campground could draw people to stay longer and enjoy the area. Williams Peak Lookout: The Williams Peak Lookout is a unique overnight rental opportunity that is not currently offered in the state parks system. Upgrading the Williams Peak Lookout could add to the array of overnight opportunities while also generating revenue for the Park. Trails to the Lookout would allow for a secluded experience with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. High-quality trail system: With close to 70 miles of roads and rolling topography, the Park’s landscape is well-suited for a developed trail system for non-motorized and motorized activities, particularly mountain biking and off-highway vehicles. In addition, the Park could be connected to other trails and open roads on nearby public lands to offer a truly regional recreation experience. Economic opportunities: Development of the Park could facilitate economic opportunities for businesses and