Glacier National Park; Fishing Regulations, Motorboat Regulations and Commercial Passenger-Carrying Motor Vehicle Regulations

The National Park Service is publishing final rules for Glacier National Park revising its current regulations regarding sport fishing, motorboats and commercial passenger-carrying motor vehicles. The National Park Service (NPS) is replacing the current Glacier National Park fishing regulations with a regulation that gives the Park Superintendent more discretion in managing the Park's fisheries. This final rule will continue to allow fishing in most streams, rivers and lakes in Glacier National Park. The Superintendent, however, will have the authority to close areas to fishing or establish conditions for fishing consistent with the park's fisheries program objectives, without going through the formal rulemaking process. As a consequence, the park will be more responsive to the changing needs of its fisheries program. Effects of this rule are expected to be minimal and should not alter, to any degree, the number of angler days presently occurring. The NPS is modifying the motorboat regulations in Glacier National Park. This final rule change will prohibit motorboat use on Kintla Lake, located within the North Fork area of the park. The 1974 Glacier Environmental Statement/Wilderness Recommendation included Kintla Lake as recommended wilderness and indicated that if Congress designated this area as wilderness, motorboating--a traditional activity on Kintla Lake--would be eliminated. Glacier's 1992 North Fork Management Plan's preferred alternative includes the prohibition of motorboats on Kintla Lake. With this change in place, the park staff will be able to more effectively protect wilderness values and accomplish the management goals and objectives outlined in the North Fork Management Plan. Effects of this rule are expected to be minimal in terms of the number of park visitors affected. A small group of motorboat users will be displaced from Kintla Lake. However, a more desirable wilderness experience will be provided for users of non-motorized craft to enjoy soli