Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

BIGFORK- Some Echo Lake residents, who feel their hands are tied from enforcing a no wake zone, now have a shot at changing the policy.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say the public can petition for a change in boating regulations on Echo Lake. The only current regulation requires boaters to stay 200 feet away from shore.

The past two summers the lake rose over its banks, flooding several properties along the shore, and the petition could create a no wake zone during problematic seasons.

"Anyone can file a petition like this and if they feel there's good cause, you better have good cause because you're going to take a lot of time to file the petition and then they're going to decide in Helena and the Commission," FWP's John Fraley explained.

Petitions must be filed to the FWP office by September 30th, and if Echo Lake boating petitions make it to the FWP Commission, a public hearing could follow, with a final decision made next Spring.