RECREATION AND LANDS DEVELOPMENT 



The Montana Fish and Game Commission 

 established a new division in the Department's 

 organizational structure during the fall of 1963. 

 A Division of Recreation and Lands Develop- 

 ment was set up to carry out the various func- 

 tions of this expanded program. 



One of the most important immediate ob- 

 jectives was determined to be the preparation 

 of a state-wide recreation plan. Such a plan 

 will act as a guide to the complete and orderly- 

 development of Montana's outdoor recreation 

 potential. This plan will include a complete 

 inventory of the state's recreation facilities. It 

 will further determine the present and pro- 

 jected needs for recreation, both for Montana 

 residents and out-of-state visitors. Finally, it 

 will list an action program by which present 

 and future needs will be met. All state agen- 

 cies with recreational responsibilities will be 

 involved in the preparation of this coordinated 

 plan. 



The Department's new division is directly 

 responsible for the development and mainte- 

 nance of recreational facilities at fishing access 

 sites on lakes, streams, and rivers. It is further 

 responsible for the construction of such facili- 

 ties, where appropriate, on state owned and 

 controlled game ranges and waterfowl man- 

 agement areas. 



These developments consist of the estab- 

 lishment of necessary sanitary facilities and 

 also cattle guards, boundary fences, picnic ta- 

 bles and fireplaces. In this way, public access 



to key fishing and hunting areas will be as- 

 sured and participation in these especially im- 

 portant forms of outdoor recreation will be 

 greatly enhanced. 



By proclamation of the Governor on April 

 1, 1964, the Montana Fish and Game Commis- 

 sion was designated as the primary recreation 

 agency for the State of Montana. This appoint- 

 ment represented a clarification of responsibility 

 in this rapidly expanding natural resources 

 field. It also emphasized coordination among 

 state agencies in planning and carrying out 

 recreation developments. The assignment in 

 addition created a focal point of coordination 

 between state and federal, and state and pri- 

 vate recreational planning and programs. 



At the submission of this report, the Montana 

 Fish and Game Commission has acquired 73 

 fishing access sites. These have been care- 

 fully selected on and adjacent to important fish- 

 ing waters. In addition, 25 excellent recreation 

 areas have been determined to be available 

 for development on presently existing game 

 ranges and wildlife management areas. De- 

 tailed development plans are being prepared 

 for all of these areas. This program includes 

 the installation of necessary sanitary facilities, 

 as well as basic recreational developments. 



The following list of fishing access sites and 

 game ranges and wildlife management areas 

 is included in the Department's recreational de- 

 velopment plan: (These are listed by name, 

 county, and administrative district) 



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