Helena, MT – Lewis and Clark County has partnered with Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to create an overflow parking area for the Craig Fishing Access Site located in Craig, Montana.

“Fishing commerce is extremely important to Craig, but the community has expressed concerns about the traffic around the fishing access site for years,” said Tom Rolfe, Lewis and Clark County Board of Commission Chair. “Lewis and Clark County appreciates working with these private and public partnerships to address community concerns while enhancing recreational opportunities on the Missouri River for many years to come.”

The new overflow parking area is expected to provide 50 delineated parking spots including 26 spaces which will accommodate a vehicle with a trailer, 24 single parking spaces, and one parking space will include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) approved with an ADA approved concrete latrine. During peak season, parking for the fishing access site overflows into Craig and onto adjacent roadsides creating traffic congestion. The new overflow parking will improve public safety and access to local businesses.

Lewis and Clark County Commission approved a 20-year lease agreement with BNSF for use of the property, which will be developed and maintained, through Cooperative Management Agreement, by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) pending completion of an Environmental Assessment (EA) of the project to comply with the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MPEA) requirements. If approved, development of the site will be funded in part through a grant from NorthWestern Energy and The Missouri-Madison River Fund Trust.

###