Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Hosts Virtual Town Hall on Fisheries Concerns
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) held a virtual town hall Wednesday, addressing critical issues impacting local fisheries. Officials from the west, southwest, and central regions gathered to discuss the major challenges affecting rivers and fish health. FWP Chief Adam Strainer moderated an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing community members to engage with experts.
FWP Region 2 fish biologist Patrick Saffel highlighted alarming conditions in his region, noting that current river flows are significantly below average for this time of year. "In the upper Clark Fork and the Blackfoot, we’re only about one-third of the average flow," Saffel reported, likening the situation to mid-July levels in a typical year. He cautioned that these low flows, coupled with rising temperatures, could trigger early hoot-owl restrictions to protect fish populations.
Other regional officials echoed similar drought-related concerns, stressing the potential impacts on local ecosystems. As stakeholders come together to address these pressing issues, the FWP underscores the importance of community awareness and action. For those interested in the discussions, the town hall meeting is available to view on YouTube.
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