PABLO — Popular recreation trails on the Flathead Indian Reservation will soon be accessible again for non-residents.
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes council members declared all recreation restrictions for non-residents will be lifted effective Sept. 8.
The CSKT Tribal Council passed a resolution on March 31, suspending recreation for non-residents to minimize exposure and community spread of COVID-19.
Tribal land recreation access within the Flathead Indian Reservation includes popular hiking trails in the Mission Mountains.
CSKT Information and Education Program Manager Stephanie Gillin says recreation restrictions may go back into place if a community spike in COVID-19 emerges.
“All summer long they looked at it weekly to see what we would do as far as how COVID numbers were increasing around the state, so I think they will keep it on the radar and if numbers start to go up it could be possible that the restrictions come back," Gillin told MTN News.
Tribal conservation permits are required for anyone 12 years of age or older recreating on tribal lands within the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Fishing permits are also required for non-member residents 14 years of age and older, both can be purchased online.
