Legislature sends Wild Horse Island bill to governor
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State lawmakers have sent a bill to Governor Steve Bullock allowing for the construction of a public dock at Wild Horse Island State Park.
Prior to the bill’s passage, the state was prohibited from constructing docks on islands, although according to Sen. Janna Taylor, R-SD 6, funds were appropriated for the dock in a previous legislative session. The island was once a private island, but was later donated to the state. There are private residences on the island that have docks, but no public mooring facilities currently exist. Legislators said the proposed facility would have between six and 10 slots.
“Right now if you want to use the state park — and 19,000 people use it each summer – you either use somebody else’s dock, trespass on somebody else’s dock and they get mad or you beach your kayak or your boat somewhere around the edge of the dock,” Taylor said. “This bill will allow Fish Wildlife and Parks to build at Skeeko Bay, which is the most common place to try to tie up your boat on a rock or a log. It is a good idea.”
The bill was sponsored by Rep. Greg Hertz, R-Polson. Hertz told other legislators that the bill would provide easier access for the elderly, and also cut down on trespassing.
“There has been a lot of confusion,” Hertz said. “People end up thinking private docks are public docks. They aren’t.”
Rep. Roy Hollandsworth, R-HD 27, worried that building the dock might interfere with sailboat usage.
“This is where all the sail boaters, when the weather is bad, where they anchor,” Hollandsworth said. “If this dock creates a problem, I would like to know that and have the people know that. There is a place they can put this dock where it won’t create a problem.”
Hollandsworth asked for more detailed information on the precise location of the future dock.
Rep. Virginia Court, D-HD 50, said she was worried the bill might lead to increased usage or development of the island, which is classified as a “primitive” park.
She also worried that having an unsupervised dock on the island could lead to nighttime problems.
“What happens if you have teenagers or people who want to come over, and camp out at night?” Court said. “Right now there is no camping at night.”
Court also asked how long boats would be able to be moored at the dock.
Hertz said he did not think that the docks would lead to more trails and said that the building process would include elements for public comment that would address Hollandsworth’s concerns.
“The park will remain in a primitive state. That is required under law. I doubt we will see any more additional usage,” Hertz said. “There will be many public hearings and an environmental assessment.”
