People with an interest in the Whitefish River are overwhelmingly asking the state Fish and Wildlife Commission to restrict motorized boating on a section of the waterway that runs through town.

Many say they want no motorized activity all year, but are willing to accept a proposal from the state that would restrict the river to manually and electric powered watercraft for a portion of the year.

The public comment period ended last month for those seeking to express an opinion on the proposal to amend boating rules for a section of the river. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks received 136 comments on the matter, with about 100 comments favoring either total or seasonal closure of the river to motor boats.

“I appreciate the Commission’s willingness to consider such a restriction for at least part of the recreation period during some summer months,” Roger Barber wrote. “But I believe the restriction should be year-round and I urge the Commission to consider such an expansion.”

Currently the Whitefish River has a no-wake restriction from the outlet of Whitefish Lake to the JP Bridge. The city of Whitefish submitted the original petition to the Commission to restrict motorized boating year-round.

At its June 12 meeting, the Commission did not adopt that proposal, and instead proposed an alternative for consideration, which proposes to restrict the river to manually and electric powered watercraft from the railroad trestle south of the Whitefish Lake outlet to the bridge on JP Road from July 5 through Sept. 30.

Comment on the original proposal for a year-round ban on motorized access earned a near 50-50 split for and against. Following the new proposal, the commission opened the matter again for public review.

Some continue to advocate for keeping the river with only the current no-wake rule in place.

John Kajiwara said his family has lived on the river and used it for access for fishing and recreation since the 1920s, and the no-wake continues to work. He added that he is an Army veteran who requires a motor to operate a boat on the river.

“The Whitefish City Council now wants to take the [Whitefish Lake from the river] access away from me and all motorized users and make it an elite river for select non-motorized council members and their friends,” he said. “Don’t let that happen.”

Bruce Tate said one of his greatest pleasures was to take his children by boat down the river and into town to get ice cream and he’d like to continue that tradition with his grandchildren.

“The outlet form the lake to the river is swift enough most of the summer that it can’t be rowed, and the aid of a small motor is essential for getting back up through that, to return to our residence on the west shore [of the lake.]”

Local FWP have argued that the current no-wake rule protects the resource from damage and keeps the river safe. However, other comments said that safety is at stake by allowing motorized craft to use the river alongside canoes, paddleboards and swimmers.

“I can’t believe [fish, wildlife and parks] would consider allowing anything more than manually powered water craft from the lake outlet to the JP bridge,” John Noyes said.

Jay and Marla Downen said they’ve seen an increasing disregard by boaters and would like the river section closed to motorized recreation.

“I have often attempted to float the river in small, inflatable crafts,” they said. “But as Jet Skis and motorboats have come to dominate the small space available, I have discontinued floating and have discouraged others from doing so. It is simple too dangerous.”

FWP Region 1 officials will review the new set of comments and make a recommendation. The Commission is tentatively set to discuss the proposal at its October meeting.