FWP lists new regs on boater access on Tiber Reservoir

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has released more details about boat access to Tiber Reservoir south of Chester, which will be covered in two public meetings next week.

New rules have been put in place at Tiber — and throughout the state — after invasive aquatic mussel larvae were discovered in Tiber in 2016.

The agency had originally proposed limiting access to the reservoir to two locations, Tiber Marina and the VFW campground, but started collecting more public comments after concerns about having access limited that much were raised at a public meeting in Chester March 21.

After collecting more input, FWP is changing its access plan for Tiber Reservoir this year, keeping a focus on preventing the spread of invasive mussels, while providing adequate access to the reservoir.

“We received suggestions from Tiber boaters and anglers that are good solutions for maintaining access at boat ramps around Tiber,” Fisheries Division Administrator Eileen Ryce said in a press release. “Safety is also a priority in this area; we want to ensure search and rescue teams have easy access to the water if needed.”

FWP said in the release that it’s plan includes:

• Watercraft inspection stations will operate seven days a week during daylight hours at the Tiber Marina and the VFW Campground boat ramps. Stations will open on May 11.

• The boat ramps located at North Bootlegger, South Bootlegger and Willow Creek will be gated and locked but will allow access using a gate code to persons completing the 2018 Tiber Certified Boater application.

• The North Bootlegger ramp will be staffed with watercraft inspectors as staffing becomes available. The determination to add access at North Bootlegger is at the request of Emergency Services personnel as their preferred site for accessing Tiber Reservoir.

• The plan is contingent on watercraft owners complying with the rules, the release said. If compliance issues are identified, the gated boat ramps will be closed. In addition, if invasive mussels are detected at Tiber, the plan will be reevaluated. If adult mussels are detected, the gated boat ramps will be closed. Law enforcement plans to increase patrols at Tiber Reservoir.

Meetings to share information about the AIS operating plan will be held in Chester Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Liberty Community and Senior Center, 613 E. Adams in Chester, and in Great Falls Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the FWP Region 4 Office, 4600 Giant Springs Road.

People who boat mostly on Tiber have another possibility to increase access. Watercraft owners who primarily recreate on Tiber Reservoir can receive the certified boater designation. The training provides participants with information about the invasive mussel threat and how to appropriately clean, drain and dry their watercraft. Participants sign an agreement pledging to go through decontamination before leaving their designated waterbody to launch in another waterbody. Certified Boaters are expected to do a self-inspection every time they exit the waterbody to make sure their boat is cleaned, drained and dried.

The certified boater program is open to Montana residents who live east of the Continental Divide and who boat primarily on Tiber Reservoir. As proof of certified boater designation, the watercraft owner will receive two decals to place on each side of the back or stern of their boat, and a third decal to place on the boat trailer. The trailer decal will help facilitate compliance at the boat ramps.

Certified boater training for Tiber can now be done online at http://www.leandraindrymt.com. A similar program is available for boat owners who primarily use Canyon Ferry Reservoir.

Watercraft inspectors are still needed at Tiber Reservoir. People interested in working at the inspection stations can apply at http://www.statecareers.mt.gov. Full time and part-time positions are available.

FWP focused on Tiber Reservoir due to the detection of invasive mussel larvae in Tiber and a suspected detection in Canyon Ferry in November 2016. As the only two water bodies in Montana where mussels were detected or suspected, extra precautions are in place.

Boaters will need to stop at inspection stations throughout the state in some situations, with the cleandrainandry website saying Montana law requires everyone transporting motorized or nonmotorized watercraft to stop at all inspection stations. This includes rafts, drift boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, personal pontoons, and sail boats. 

Watercraft must be inspected if the person transporting the watercraft:

• encounters an open inspection station.

• comes into Montana from out-of-state.

• travels west over the Continental Divide into western Montana (the Columbia River Basin).

• You are coming off Tiber or Canyon Ferry Reservoirs.

For more information on invasive mussels, maps of inspection and decontamination stations, and the Certified Boater training, visit http://cleandraindrymt.com or call 406-444-2440.