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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2026
FWP seeking public input on recommendations from the Fish Creek Collaborative trail planning effort
MISSOULA – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public review and input on recommendations from the Fish Creek Collaborative (FCC) citizen advisory group and its trail planning effort. The group worked on ideas for a multi-use trail system in western Montana’s Fish Creek Complex in the fall of 2025 and released its draft recommendations this week.
The goal of the FCC was to develop trail recommendations that would enhance recreational access for a variety of users while protecting natural resources and ensuring a high-quality visitor experience. Review the group’s work and draft recommendations, and provide comment through April 17, 2026 at fwp.mt.gov/conservation/fish-creek-watershed-recreation-planning.
Citizen group members were selected through an application process in the summer of 2025 to represent a diversity of recreation perspectives, experiences, and geographic areas. The group held two planning workshops in the fall of 2025 to discuss trail development, management, and conservation priorities across the Fish Creek Complex. The planning area includes Fish Creek State Park and Wildlife Management Area and considers other surrounding lands.
FCC worked collaboratively to develop recommendations for a sustainable, site-level trail plan. Their work represents a step towards implementation of FWP’s broader Fish Creek Recreation Strategy, which was finalized in September 2024 following two years of public engagement.
The FCC served an advisory role to FWP, and its recommendations are intended to inform potential next steps. The FCC’s recommendations were written by the citizen committee, not by FWP, and the package released for public comment reflects their unedited input. The recommendations provide general guidance for the agency but do not provide final approval of any specific projects, which would require additional planning, funding decisions, and environmental review as applicable.
After the comment period closes on April 17, FWP will review and summarize the public comments received on the FCC recommendations. The input will help inform FWP’s internal review and consideration of next steps. Any additional information and next steps will be updated online at fwp.mt.gov/conservation/fish-creek-watershed-recreation-planning.
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