If you spend even 5 minutes a week surfing around blogs, forums, FB & Twitter, you should at least be aware that Montana and Utah continue to battle small but powerful (well funded) lobbies and individuals attempting to shutdown rivers and streams to public access.
Here at home, it’s an every two year process. Our legislature meets every other year, and various bills are sponsored by representatives who find it more lucrative to represent the special interests of a few private individuals, rather than representing their constituency who overwhelmingly support Montana’s Stream Access Law.
The battle in Montana is one of skirmishes, and it’s been going on for a long time. The battle in Utah began with a large explosion in 2010 known as HB141:
HB141, introduced late in the session, was fast-tracked through committee and used to eject HB80 from further consideration. After much wrangling, HB141 was passed. Signed into law on the last day possible by interim Gov. Herbert, HB141 (and resulting “Public Waters Access Act”) took effect May 10, 2010, effectively overturning the Supreme Court’s ruling in Conatser. – Utah Stream Access Coalition
HB141 effectively eliminated access to many of Utah’s public waterways. Places to fish.
While Montana sportsman have recently won another “skirmish” (Montana Riffraff Win Again) in the courts, recreationists from Utah are right in the middle of a decisive battle in the legislature. A compromise bill (HB37) that promotes a compromise between the rights of private landowners, and the constitutional rights of Utah sportsmen is being debated in the Utah legislature as you read this. As is often the case these days, the “many” have to compromise for the “few”.
There is a rally today at the Capitol to show support for HB37. Good luck warriors! And here’s a passionate video that came to my attention on the Gink and Gasoline Blog:
And while conservations groups, anglers, fly shops, bloggers and guides are banding together to fight the good fight in Montana and Utah, I ironically see this photo in a publication this week.
No wonder some folks hate fly shops.
You can still fish all the water behind that sign as long as you stay below the high water mark. Done it plenty…. Had a one man RB to get me through spots I couldn’t stay below the mark.
Cool to know Rob.
Wow, I had no idea that you guys were getting such a hard time over there.
It never ceases to amaze me that the idiots we vote into power turn around and do what ever they can to make life miserable for most, just to please the few…!
Good luck to all ( well those that fish anyway )…
🙂
It never ends James. It does appear that for the time being, Montana is OK. Utah has joined the ranks of Colorado and Wyoming. Landowners can own the bottom of the stream.
Hi john,
Over here, a person has access to the waterway and it’s immediate banks either side, but can go no further up the bank onto private land without permission of the landowner.
In general, you may access the waterway by public land and continue on down the waterway that passes through private property.
Many land owners would object to this but really have no legal rights, except in some extreme cases such as very old land free holds which can extend to the centre of the waterway, but these are rare.
🙂