All four county’s that border the Big Hole River have approved a one hundred fifty foot setback from the high water mark along the entire river corridor restricting any new construction. This includes houses, lodges, etc. These county’s include Silver Bow, Deer Lodge, Madison and Beaverhead.

This setback was the brain child of the Big Hole Watershed Committee, which is a concensus group that consists of local ranchers, sportsmen, outfitters and guides, Trout Unlimited and Dept. of Enviromental Quality. Their idea was to protect the Big Hole River corridor from some of the things they have seen happen along other rivers, especially the Madison and Bitteroot.

Personally I wish this setback would have come about twenty years ago. My hat it off to all the people who were behind this and all the county commissioners who approved it.

I would like to hear any comments regarding this whether they be pro or con.