out the state's system; 



land providing access to water (lakes, 

 rivers or streams) for the public en- 

 joyment of a variety of water-based 

 recreation activities; 



land required to further develop the 

 rest area and wayside camping and 

 picnicking programs associated with 

 the state's highway system. 



Sununary 



The general lack of recreation facilities was 

 pointed out in the plan. This could well be 

 listed as the present most serious problem, 

 statewide. While the most evident need is for 

 camping and picnicking facilities as well as 

 park and playfield developments, boat launch- 

 ing ramps, swimming pools, etc., this does not 

 necessarily rule out the need for additional 

 key lands. These tracts although not neces- 

 sarily large in size would be highly important 

 in supplying additional space for badly needed 

 recreational developments. 



The lack of camping and picnicking facili- 

 ties were found to be most serious adjacent 

 to highway systems throughout the state. 



A balanced program of recreation develop- 

 ment was stressed in the plan. Emphasis was 

 placed upon providing a variety of high qual- 

 ity recreation opportunities. Of primary impor- 

 tance would be those available to the public, 

 near home, for day-to-day enjoyment. In such 

 cases, most of the responsibility would rest 

 with the communities. At greater distances, but 

 easily reached for over-night and week-end 

 trips would be the type of facility largely de- 

 veloped by counties and state agencies. Vaca- 

 tioning opportunities emphasized by camping, 

 hiking, fishing and back country experiences 

 would be for the most part under the adminis- 

 tration of state and federal agencies. 



Land and Water Conservation 

 Funding Program 



The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act 

 of 1965 (Public Law 88-578), was signed into 

 law in September 1964. This national legisla- 

 tion provides funds to the states on a 50-50 

 basis for the development of outdoor recrea- 

 tion programs. For Montana, the apportionment 

 amounts to somewhat less than a million dol- 

 lars per year. These funds are collected in 

 the federal treasury from the sale of entrance 

 and user fees at developed federal recreation 

 sites and from other sources. 



In each state, one of the existing agencies 

 has been designated to administer the pro- 

 gram. In Montana this administering state 

 agency is the Fish and Game Department. On 

 the federal level the newly created Bureau of 

 Outdoor Recreation within the Department of 

 Interior, is the administering agency. A close 



coordination is maintained between this Bu- 

 reau and the State of Montana. 



Funding is authorized for outdoor recreation 

 acquisition or development projects on a state, 

 county and city basis. All projects are, how- 

 ever, processed through the Montana Fish and 

 Game Department. The program provides for 

 use of 50 percent of the funds by state agen- 

 cies with the remaining half being available 

 for county and city projects. A 3 percent sur- 

 charge is levied on the projects to defray pro- 

 cessing costs. 



Included in the Appendix is a list of projects 

 which have been processed for 50-50 financing 

 through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. 



Fishing Access Acquisition 

 and Development 



The Montana Fish and Game Department 

 has acquired a number of fishing access sites. 

 These vary in size. They are for the most port 

 relatively small. However, their location rather 

 than size makes them immensely important for 

 public enjoyment. They represent key access 

 points for fishing and associated recreation 

 activities. These sites are located along lakes 

 and rivers and are quite broadly distributed 

 across the state. 



Although their chief function is for public 

 access, it has been found that recreational de- 

 velopment greatly enhances their value. The 

 type of development being carried on by the 

 Fish and Game Department through its Division 

 of Recreation and Parks includes the construc- 

 lion of sanitary facilities plus the installation 

 of picnic tables and fireplaces, boundary fences 

 and cattle guards. 



It has been found that these developed sites, 

 carefuly selected, benefit the recreation public 

 and the adjacent landholders as well. The 

 availability of sanitary facilities eliminates the 

 accumulation of trash and garbage which is 

 often characteristic of undeveloped areas. 

 Boundary fences indicate the location of adja- 

 cent private lands as well as the public fish- 

 ing sites. Careful location and the presence 

 of fireplace facilities tend to cut down the fire 

 hazard frequently associated with indiscrimi- 

 nate camping and picnicking. 



In the development of these areas, it has 

 been found that a site plan represents an es- 

 sential first step. In this way, orderly planwise 

 developments can be established taking full 

 advantage of the physical characleristics of 

 each of these areas. This work is being car- 

 ried out prior to the recreational development 

 of each site. (See Appendix for list of the areas.) 



State Recreational 

 Waterway System 



The Slate Recreational Waloiway System 

 was approved by the Moiitcinci Fisli and Game 



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