Tribes to allow electric motors on some reservation waters

POLSON — The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes decided this week that adding an Electric Motor to a small boat or canoe wouldn’t increase the chances for the spread of invasive mussels to some of the reservation’s pristine water bodies.

Since last spring, the CSKT hasn’t allowed any motors on its lakes and reservoirs following the announcement that invasive mussels had potentially shown up in two Montana reservoirs.

But since the Tribes already enforce seasonal closures on gasoline powered motors on some water bodies while allowing electric motors during that same time period, there was some confusion that resulted in some warnings and citations.

“People were asking about why they couldn’t use an electric motor on their small watercraft since the motor is sealed and didn’t really increase the danger,” said Tom McDonald, the fish, wildlife, recreation and conservation manager for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

In particular, McDonald said there were some elderly folks who were challenged to paddle their small boat, raft or canoe.

“As long as they don’t launch their boats from a trailer and there are no other motors attached to the boat, we thought it would be all right to do that,” he said.

The updated regulations allow for watercraft with electric trolling motors as well as hand-propelled, non-trailered watercraft including kayaks, canoes, rafts and paddleboats on some lakes and reservoirs on the reservation.

The change will mostly impact McDonald Lake and Kicking Horse and Mission reservoirs where most of the watercraft use is located, McDonald said.

Other water bodies included in the updated regulation include Lone Pine Reservoir, Upper Dry Fox Reservoir, Dog/Rainbow Lake, Upper Jocko Lake, Black Lake and Crow Reservoir.

McDonald said the Tribes are currently working on updated regulations for their aquatic invasive species program.

“Tribal scientists and managers are working with the Flathead Basin Commission, State of Montana and other water quality (experts) to understand the potential impacts from the AIS threat and identify steps the Tribes can take to further protect the waters of the Flathead Reservation,” McDonald said.

For more information about the restriction change, people can contact McDonald, Erik Hanson and Germaine White at 675-2700.