Jet boat activity concerns residents

Residents are concerned over jet boat activity on Bull River west of Noxon. Though the activity is legal, one resident said allowing jet boats on the river is bad for the shoreline.

On June 2, Paul Overman of Noxon witnessed five small two-seat jet boats go by his property on the Bull River.

“We own a mile of shoreline and we’re in the process right now of trying to get permits for bank restoration,” Overman stated. “We’re losing our bank to natural causes, but the jet boats really wreak havoc on our shoreline. The Bull River isn’t a rocky, cliff river bank like other rivers.”

Overman said that this is the first time he’s seen jet boats on the river, though he has seen small boats with trolling motors. He noted that neighbors saw the boats more than 5 miles up the Bull River.

Overman said along with the shoreline, he is concerned about safety on the river. “We have kids and grandkids and elderly people who float the river. Traditionally the river has been used by fishermen and for people to relax and enjoy. Nobody is used to jet boats coming up there,” he said. Earlier this month when Overman saw the jet boats on the Bull River, he said the normally clear water was muddy for over two hours.

Overman said that as a lover of “toys” such as jet skis and snowmobiles, he’s not against jet boats, but it’s a matter of respect and recreating responsibly. “When we snowmobile, we have respect for others and stay away from areas where there are cross-country skiers,“ he explained. “We want to share the river but we also want to protect it.”

Overman also noted that high water and wakes are a concern for property owners who have bridges over the river. He said though he hasn’t seen the jet boats since June 2, he’s concerned that there could be more activity in the future.

According to Dillon Tabish with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), there are no regulations about boats on Bull River, and no wake restrictions. Any reservoir or lake in the state greater than 35 acres comes with an automatic no-wake speed restriction of 200 feet from the shoreline, including the Noxon Reservoir and Thompson Falls Reservoir, but there is no specific regulation for Bull River.

Any regulation changes would need to be made by the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Overman said he has contacted FWP and the Department of Environmental Quality and was told a petition would be needed, which he intends to start soon. “I hate new regulations, but regulations are for people that have no respect,” Overman stated.