An advisory group working with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks is recommending ways the state can invest in recreational opportunities along the Lower Yellowstone River in southeast Montana.
The 12-member Lower Yellowstone River Corridor Advisory Committee released a report this month flagging possible areas of improvement and increased public access along the river between Hysham and the North Dakota border.
Committee members like Treasure County Commissioner Ruth Baue of Hysham hope to draw more tourism dollars into local communities by improving amenities at fishing and walking spots along the river.
“I felt that in this area, we don’t have enough camping, we don’t have enough places that are totally accessible because the river is forever changing, and so access can be a problem,” Baue said.
The recommendations come from a local initiative to ramp up outdoor recreation in the southeast part of the state. They include connecting camping areas to electricity and water, improving site visibility and installing trails along the river.
The Montana Legislature awarded the project $4 million dollars this year. The FWP is in charge of where those funds go and will take the recommendations into consideration.