LETTERS Parks article hits home I want to congratulate you on the excellent article on Montana’s state park system (“Behind the Curtain,” March-April 2019) and the troubles it faces. I especially appreciated the graph titled “More parks, less funding” showing how vastly underfunded our parks are compared to those in neighboring states. I will be contacting my government representatives to urge correction of this problem. Peggy Walker Missoula
Thank you for “Behind the Curtain,” which let us clueless members of the public in on the daily struggles that state park workers endure due to the lack of adequate financial support. People now know that a very, very thin line of workers keep Montana’s state parks open for their enjoyment. And thanks for including the “Indispensable” essay (Sketchbook). Office managers and administrative assistants rarely are noticed, and yet they are an essential part of FWP state parks and other programs. It was good
Access Site Program. One can’t help but feel sorry for park managers who have to deal with large staff shortages and extremely high visitor use. An increase in the Parks Division budget is long overdue. As for fishing access sites, they are overcrowded with people who aren’t paying their fair share. I lived in Montana long ago and had the good fortune of experiencing rivers and lands without the crowding.
parking areas, trash pick up, ramp repair, caretaker services, and general maintenance…” It is time that FWP begin requiring all users of fishing access sites to pay their fair share. As an avid angler and hunter who purchases licenses every year, I’m increasingly frustrated watching FAS use escalate while only a small percentage of users actually contributes to them. When FWP needs to double “the number of latrines and dumpsters,” as
you write, that’s rarely from increased angler use. Typically, it stems from other people crowding sites and using them for launching inner tubes or just lounging around. The solution is simple: Anyone without a valid fishing license who uses an FAS should be required to purchase some form of FAS “pass.” There are several examples of this system already in use in other states. Your magazine missed a terrific opportunity to initiate the truly important discussion of how all FAS users should help fund the program. John Herzer Blackfoot River Outfitters Missoula
Have something to say? We welcome all your comments, questions, and letters to the editor. We’ll edit letters as needed for accuracy, style, and length. Write to us at Montana Outdoors, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701. Or e-mail us at: tdickson@mt.gov
Dennis Hanson Merrifield, MN
to see you praise their knowledge, which keeps office workloads flowing and the general public informed and happy. Delores Benner Citrus Heights, CA (born and raised in Montana)
The March-April issue presents serious issues for your State Parks Division and Fishing
Others need to pay, too Your article on FWP’s fishing access sites (FASs) succinctly detailed the challenges that Montana’s FAS program experiences from overuse and underfunding. Unfortunately, the article missed the mark. Simply renaming fishing access sites does nothing to solve the cost issues you list as “fencing, roads,
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“Just the bait, please.”
LIANA FINCK/THE NEW YORKER COLLECTION/THE CARTOON BANK
People now know that a very, very thin line of workers keep Montana’s state parks open for their enjoyment.
