Montana Stream Access Bill Defeated

In a setback for advocates of public access to Montana’s trout streams and rivers, the Montana House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee tabled a bill that would have allowed counties to ensure access from bridge crossings. “The measures would have allowed landowners to build a fence attached to a bridge that crosses a stream, if they obtained a permit from the county commission. If the county commission decided the fence blocked access to the stream, it could alter the fence or order landowners to make changes to allow the public access.” Charles Johnson in the Billings Gazette. (Thanks to reader Wayne Hadley for this story.)