Smith River Applications Due Soon

Friday, January 11, 2008
Parks

This article was Archived on Monday, February 11, 2008

Fans of the popular Smith River float have until Feb. 15 to submit their permit applications.

The Smith River float annually attracts about 4,500 applicants for about 900 float permits. Applications can be submitted over the Internet for a nominal transaction fee, in person or through traditional mail. Here are details:

To apply on line select Online Licensing on the FWP web site at fwp.mt.gov . Residents who don’t have an FWP automated licensing system number will need to obtain an ALS number from an FWP office or license provider to use this electronic application. Applicants will also need a credit card to pay the application fee. Internet applications do not need to be signed.  An application receipt verifying your float-date choices can be printed on your home printer.

To apply by mail, go to the Smith River webpage at fwp.mt.gov to download the application, fill it out, sign and mail it, including the appropriate fee, to: FWP, Smith River Drawing, 1420 East 6th Ave., P.O. Box 8009, Helena, MT 59604-8009. Paper application forms also can be submitted to any regional FWP office.

To apply in person, go to an FWP office and have the application processed over FWP’s automated licensing system while you wait. Permit applications processed at an FWP office include a receipt validating the selected float dates.

To check the status of your Smith River application, go to the Special Drawing Status webpage at fwp.mt.gov and enter your ALS User Information and click Get Status.

For more Smith River information, visit FWP’s Smith River web page at fwp.mt.gov on the Parks and Recreation page to take advantage of the float section map, Smith River USGS flow data, trip planning tips and lists of services and available outfitters.