Wild Horse Island dock plan postponed

State officials cite strong opposition as the reason for postponement.

Wild Horse Island may stay a little more wild, with Montana State Parks postponing plans to build a public dock at the popular boating and hiking area.    

Due to a large amount of opposition during the public comment period this spring, the parks department has decided to delay the plan for four years while an environmental impact study is completed, according to a press release issued on Sept. 21. 

Out of the 101 comments submitted between April 30 and May 30, 81 were against the proposal to build a 60-foot floating dock in Skeeko Bay. Concerns revolved around the impacts of increasing traffic on the island, specifically the potential for more littering, poaching, introduction of invasive species and harassment of wildlife. 

Comments in favor of the plan noted that having an established dock would increase public safety and ease of access. 

Wild Horse Island currently has six developed areas where boaters can land, however with no dock visitors typically jump to shore. 

Montana State Parks stated in its response to the comments that the agency likes to promote the use of parks and increased visitation is not always negative. The parks department noted that while Flathead Lake as a whole saw a 23-percent increase in visitors between 2011 and 2015, Wild Horse Island held steady due to its water-locked location.

Nevertheless, the overwhelming opposition convinced park officials to delay the dock proposal for further analysis. 

The parks department also acknowledged in its response that Flathead Lake recreation areas have other priorities, citing a 2015 survey that identified $2.6 million in maintenance backlogs. 

Over the next four years the parks department will collect data regarding visitor impacts to Wild Horse Island, human-wildlife conflicts, trespass violations and safety concerns, according to the press release. 

The decision to postpone the dock plan is subject to appeal. Appeals can be submitted in writing to Montana State Parks by Oct. 21.