The Ravalli County Commission voted 3-0 on July 7 to conditionally approve $250,000 of Ravalli County Open Land Program funding to help create a new permanent fishing access site on the West Fork of the Bitterroot River. The proposed project requires Montana Board of Land Commissioners approval for Montana FWP to acquire the property, and a final vote by the Ravalli County Commission is expected shortly after July 20.

Bitter Root Land Trust is a project leader and has worked with the landowner, Marty Stomberg, since 2007 on the project as a way to honor Bitterroot native and Stomberg’s son, C. Ben White. The proposed project greatly expands the FAS to nearly 100 acres (from 1.5 acres),  ensures the permanency of the fishing access site, allows camping and hunting, improves river health, protects wildlife habitat, creates access to USFS lands and generally greatly enhances local outdoor recreation opportunities.