Stevensville has a wonderful opportunity to create a great public site that will benefit the Bitterroot valley and beyond. The town council of Stevensville will soon make a decision that could solve the difficult situation of public access to the Bitterroot River at the Stevensville bridge. The situation involves many decades of unknowing public trespass on private land on the southeast side of the bridge. The public has enjoyed the recreation available along the river from this access point, most not realizing it is actually private land, not public. For decades the landowners have generously allowed this to continue and in recent years have begun negotiation with the city of Stevensville to find a way for them to acquire the land.
And for FWP, in agreement with the city, using a long term lease, install a first class river access point with a designated parking area for vehicles and boat trailers, paved river launching point for boats and rafts, restrooms, and areas for families to recreate and access the river. The public interest goes far beyond just the town of Stevensville, benefiting the entire Bitterroot valley. Fishermen, floaters, trail walkers, and all users of the river benefit from a public access that accommodates everyone. A walk around tour led by FWP and the city took place on Dec. 10th so that all could see the actual land involved. Public interest from the entire county is high. Civic leaders in attendance included county commissioners Greg Chilcott and Ray Hawk, State Senator Fred Thomas, and State Representatives Nancy Ballance and Ed Greef. A prompt and favorable resolution is the desired goal.
The city of Stevensville owns land that is a few hundred yards northeast of the bridge, where they have a parking area and access to trails. There is no river access from this spot. The existing landowners have ranch land that borders the city land. The resolution being proposed does not involve any cost to the city. They will not have to purchase land. What is offered is a land swap, whereby the city receives the land being used now by trespass, in exchange for city land by the parking area to the east. This is river bottom land, in the flood plain and not able to be commercially developed. The ranch owners get a straighter land boundary, the city and the public users get legal access to a first class FWP river access site.
This is a sweet deal for all parties. No more public trespass nuisance for the landowner, and a first rate public access and recreation spot on a world class river preserved in perpetuity for the public.
To the Stevensville mayor and town council: the citizens of Ravalli county encourage your successful negotiation to create this public asset for all.
Rep. Ed Greef, HD-88
Florence