From Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks:
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks opened two sections of the Yellowstone River Thursday, due to the improvement of environmental conditions that led FWP to close the river and all of its associated tributaries on Aug. 19.
On Thursday, after going over current testing results and river conditions, FWP opened an upper section of the Yellowstone to non-angling recreation only; the other section below Livingston will open completely to recreation. The mainstem of the Yellowstone River through much of Paradise Valley south of Livingston will remain closed at this time.
Gov. Steve Bullock supported opening parts of the Yellowstone River and acknowledged the implications of the decision to the local economy.
“I join Montanans in being encouraged by this first step, but we’re not out of the woods yet and we must ensure that we are safeguarding Montana jobs while keeping this threat at bay,” Bullock said. “A threat to the health of Montana’s fish populations is a threat to Montana’s entire outdoor economy and the tens of thousands of jobs it sustains, and I want to thank all Montanans and visitors for their ongoing support as we work to protect and preserve the health and economic benefit of the Yellowstone River for this and future generations."