23-1-117. Limit on development of primitive parks. (1) Except as permitted in Lost Creek state park for the limited purposes provided in subsection (3), the only development allowed in primitive parks designated in 23-1-116 is:
     (a) necessary improvements required to meet minimum public health standards regarding sanitation, which may include necessary access to outhouses, vaults, and water;
     (b) improvements necessary to ensure the safe public use of existing boat ramps;
     (c) addition of gravel to existing unpaved roads and the resurfacing of paved roads when necessary to ensure safe public access;
     (d) establishment of new hiking trails or improvement of existing hiking trails; and
     (e) installation of minimal signage indicating that the park is a designated primitive park in which development has been limited and encouraging the public to help in maintaining the park's primitive character by packing out trash.
     (2) The following development of designated primitive parks is prohibited:
     (a) installation of electric lines or facilities, except when necessary to comply with subsection (1)(a);
     (b) installation of recreational vehicle sanitary dumpsites where they do not presently exist; and
     (c) creation of new roads and paving of existing but previously unpaved roads.
     (3) Lost Creek state park may be developed to include a camp host pad, with necessary water, electric, and sewage disposal facilities to meet minimum public health standards for the camp host. The camp host pad must be completed by September 30, 2007, and must be accomplished in the least intrusive manner possible in order to retain the primitive character of Lost Creek state park as a whole, in keeping with the spirit of the Montana Primitive Parks Act.

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 501, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 264, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 234, L. 2005.