Forty-eight hit river for third Blueway Trail float

Forty-eight people and one dog gathered in Basin Saturday for the Big Horn River Blueway Trail Float. One of those taking to the river was WYDOT District Engineer Pete Hallsten, who summed up the event with one word: “Groovy.”
 “The Bighorn River Blueway project was born out of a community-led effort in the Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative and connects the Basin’s communities with Wyoming’s great outdoors,” said Patrick Harrington, manager of the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “If fully realized, the project creates unique economic development opportunities along its 95-mile route, while improving local quality of life and access to the river.”
Prior to setting off down the river, a windstorm, lasting 20 minutes or so, put doubts in some people’s minds about doing the float.  By the time the safety meeting was over, so was the wind.
Renee Cotner-Faber from Lovell said she read about the float in the Lovell paper and knew it was something that would be fun to do.  
“We were thrilled to host another successful event with nearly 50 folks in attendance from across the Bighorn Basin,” states Laurel Stephens, outreach coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “Not only do these annual community floats aim to promote responsible recreation and to inform residents and visitors about the Bighorn River Blueway Trail project, but they also serve as an opportunity for fellowship and appreciation of the natural resources available to us in communities around the state.”
Christy Fleming from the National Park Service/Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area has been a part of the Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative and the Blueway Trail project from the start. She said she was thrilled with the turnout. Fleming also noted that the Blueway committee is very sensitive to making sure those who travel the river are respectful to the public and private lands along the way.
Once complete, the maps for the trail will have very clear indicators showing where people can pull off the river. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is working to identify public land access along the route. There will also be signs along the way educating the public. By providing maps and educational tools to the public, the committee’s goal is to help those using the river be good stewards of the land and water. Another aspect is safety. Fleming said the educational tools will include safe practices on public lands.