Wild Horse Island State Park

The management direction for Wild Horse Island State Park has been updated with the adoption of a final management plan. New management is proposed at an additional three Flathead Lake islands owned by Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The draft management plan was modified after considering public comments; a final plan was approved in August 2009. Supplemental documents used in the planning process were not altered. The Decision Notice, Final Plan, and accompanying documents can be downloaded below. If you prefer a paper copy or have questions, please call the Kalispell FWP office at (406) 752-5501.

• The Flathead Lake Islands Final Plan Press Release notifies the public of the final management plan and decision notice.
  [Press Release ( 16 KB)]
• The Flathead Lake Islands Final Plan Cover Letter accompanies the decision notice as an introduction to the final plan and process.
  [Cover Letter ( 73 KB)]
• The Flathead Lake Islands Decision Notice summarizes and responds to public comment received on the draft plan and indicates the agency's decision to implement the plan.
  [Decision Notice ( 139 KB)]
• The Flathead Lake Islands FINAL Management Plan incorporates public comment on the draft plan and updates the 1994 Wild Horse Island State Park Management Plan. It includes management direction for three additional islands owned by FWP: Cedar, Bird and O'Neill Islands, and will be used for the next ten years.
  [Final Management Plan ( 1.2 MB)]
• The Flathead Lake Islands Management Plan Supplemental Documents provide background information for the draft and final plan, including: visitation, surveys, Limits of Acceptable Change, Island Parks Legislation, Primitive Parks Legislation, Commercial Use Rules, trail standards, and Cedar Island building photos.
  [Supplemental Documents ( 1.3 MB)]

For more information about Wild Horse Island State Park, please see the Parks Web page.

Background

Wild Horse Island planning dates back to 1978, with updates in 1986, 1994, and 1999. The three additional islands -- Bird, Cedar and O’Neil -- were purchased with federal aid to protect wildlife habitat, particularly Canada goose populations, which have recovered successfully. The plan proposes that FWP transfer habitat protection efforts and the federal encumbrance to FWP lands offering habitat for more vulnerable species. FWP would then actively manage the three islands to balance wildlife habitat with recreational opportunities for a regionally increasing human population.

On all islands, the plan stresses the importance of retaining the island environment while providing primitive recreational use. The plan addresses visitor use impacts, commercial use, public safety and sanitation, fires, management costs and public education.