All facilities must have written approval prior to being installed. All requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and requires a site visit to the location for review by Avista personnel. Please call the Avista Natural Resource Office at 406-847-1283 or 406-847-1292 for detailed information regarding this program.
Avista Utilities Corporation & NCShorelines Partnership
Avista Utilities Corporation owns the majority of the shoreline around the Noxon Rapids and Cabinet Gorge reservoirs. Avista manages this land to meet a variety of objectives including fish & wildlife habitat preservation, wetland preservation, historic resource protection, public access and recreation.
NCShorelines has established a respectful working relationship with Avista geared towards balancing the needs of adjacent private landowners with those of Avista and other interested groups.
Avista Programs
Avista recreational sites such as boat launches, camp grounds and picnic areas are available to the public without discrimination. All activities on Avista shoreline land must be in accordance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license issued to Avista to operate the Clark Fork Hydroelectric Project.
Lower Clark Fork Trail System
The Lower Clark Fork Trail Concept Plan originated during the Avista Utilities’ Clark Fork hydroelectric re-licensing process. The trail plan was drawn up in 2003 by the Trail Advisory Committee made up of the Montana and Idaho Park Services and local interested parties. Parts of the trail system have been completed. Maps of the current trail system are available at the Avista offices in Noxon. The trail effort is ongoing in several areas of the Lower Clark Fork River Valley.
Private Recreation Permit Program (PRPP)
The PRPP provides opportunity for owners of land adjacent to Avista owned shoreline property to apply for permission to install private, temporary recreational facilities on Avista property. These facilities may include docks, gazebos and other facilities as deemed appropriate by Avista.
The characteristics of a particular area such as bank accessibility, soil stability, vegetation, fish and wildlife concerns all play a role a request to install temporary facilities is being considered. Some areas offer good access and will support private recreational facilities while other areas are set aside for conservation purposes.
All facilities must have written approval prior to being installed. All requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and requires a site visit to the location for review by Avista personnel. Please call the Avista Natural Resource Office at 406-847-1283 for detailed information regarding this program. Note that the Green Mountain Conservation District (GMCD) also reviews permit applications .(All work on the bed and bank of a river or creek in Montana requires a 310 permit. 310 comes after Avista approval) http://www.greenmountaincd.org/.