The ink is just about dry on a contract between Myla Yahraus and Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks that will reopen the fishing access site on the east side of the Bitterroot River near Stevensville.
The popular boat launch, which is on private property, was closed last June by then-owner Roy Capp who had concerns over the public’s use of the site. He sold his Fort Owen Ranch — which included the boat launch — in November to Yahraus, who said she would work with FWP to try to open the boat launch by this year’s floating season.
After meeting this week with Sen. Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville, and Randy Arnold, the FWP Region 2 supervisor, Yahraus signed a short-term lease for the fishing access site that will allow the state agency to manage it for the 2018 season.
"I am excited about working together to make the access site available to the public,” Yahraus said. “But until a final design and plan is in place, the site is still Fort Owen Ranch property, so private property rights need to be respected.”
On Friday afternoon, Arnold said they haven’t officially consummated the agreement, but the intent is clear for what for now will be a year-to-year lease. The state agency didn’t pay Yahraus anything for use of the site, but will handle of the management and enforcement duties.
“We have to finalize some last-minute stuff, but FWP will be taking on all of the administrative responsibility and will be the official site manager,” Arnold said. “The barriers are now removed; the next steps are installing signage.”
The signs will include rules for the fishing access site, which Arnold expects to be similar to those at other fishing access sites managed by FWP.
Yahraus also is working with FWP to develop long-term plans for the site.
In addition to the boat launch, FWP is working with Yahraus on the future management of the 1.2-acre Fort Owen State Park, which is surrounded by her ranch. The site only has enough parking for two vehicles, and visitors often trespass on the ranch, thinking it’s part of the park.
About 3,000 people visit the park annually.
“That part of our discussion is on a different track, with different funding sources,” Arnold said. “But we’re moving forward with that as well.”
Yahraus said she’s pleased with the discussions on the state park.
“There were additional ideas for the fort discussed, and we will be working together to make Fort Owen a viable historical site for the State of Montana,” Yahraus said.
Jesuits built their first mission in 1841 nearby, and sold it to Major John Owen in 1850. He built Montana’s first grist mill and sawmill there, and it was home to the state’s first cattle herd. It also was the first agricultural development and the first water right holder, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Today, most of the historic buildings are gone, with an adobe back wall of the barracks the only leftover. However, the barracks were reconstructed, and several historic buildings were moved to the site, along with interpretive signs.
A new nonprofit group, Friends of Fort Owen, was created to ensure that “legal, financial and operational conditions are secured through partnerships and dedicated state funding” to preserve and maintain Fort Owen. They also will try to better define the public/private perimeter of the site, create adequate parking, and reconstruct the fort.