The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council took action Tuesday, Aug. 8 that will allow watercraft with electric trolling motors on certain Flathead Reservation waters, according to a press release.

“Tribal scientists and managers are working with theFlathead 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,” said Tom McDonald of Division of Fish, Wildlife, Recreation and Conservation.

A partial listing of Flathead Reservation water bodies that are included in the change are:

1. Lone Pine Reservoir

2. Upper Dry Fork Reservoir

3. Dog/Rainbow Lake

4. Upper Jocko Lake

5. Black Lake

6. St. Mary’s Lake

7. Mission Reservoir

8. McDonald Lake

9. Kicking Horse Reservoir

10. Crow Reservoir

The change now allows electric trolling motors on watercraft that were listed under the emergency closure on Flathead Reservation water along with hand-propelled, non-trailer watercraft including kayaks, canoes, rafts and paddleboards.

These measures are being implemented in accordance with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Aquatic Invasive Species Program recommendation.