Application deadline extended for participants on Madison River Work Group

People with Madison Valley business interests encouraged to apply

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission is seeking additional applicants for the Madison River Work Group. The general application period closed April 23, however more applications are needed from people with Madison Valley business interests. The application deadline for these positions will be extended to May 26.

In accordance with the Madison River recreation rule, adopted last year by the Fish and Wildlife Commission, the group will be made up of 12 people. In addition to two people with Madison Valley business interests that are not connected to commercial outfitting, the group will include three commercial outfitters with current Madison River Special User Permits; three non-commercial river users; one person trained in natural resource management not employed by FWP; one at-large person whose experience fall outside the descriptions for other work group members; a Fish and Wildlife Commissioner; and a representative from the Bureau of Land Management. 

The work group will focus on developing recommendations to the commission regarding: 

• The allocation of commercial-use trips to outfitters
• A process to permit new outfitters on the Madison River
• Rule language to address all recreational use on the Madison River, including the walk/wade and rest/rotation sections
• Consequences of permit violations.

FWP staff will forward all applications and any recommendations to the Fish and Wildlife Commission, which will make a final decision on work group membership at its June meeting.

To apply for the two remaining positions on the Madison River Work Group, fill out the application found at fwp.mt.gov and submit electronically by midnight May 26, or have it postmarked no later than May 26.​