Wise Lane Summary

OPENED BY YELLOWSTONE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Wise Lane is an official county road leading to the north bank of the Yellowstone River between Billings and Laurel. In addition to leading to the river, PLWA research indicates Wise Lane also led to an important public island at that point. The road was created when “Petitioned” by citizens in the early part of the last century. Sadly, it was unilaterally closed by the adjacent landowner in the 1980’s.

PLWA had been unsuccessfully talking with the Yellowstone County Commissioners for years on this issue. However, in 2010 PLWA took direct action to again notify the commissioners of the continued closure and demand action.

At the November 30, 2010 Yellowstone County Commission meeting, “Commissioner Ostlund stated that no public hearing has been scheduled for Wise Lane because there was never a formal road closure. Mr. Tim Miller, Director of Public Works stated that the Public Works Department was contacted by the public land and water access association regarding a locked gate which prevented access to the Yellowstone River. Public access did exist on Wise Lane and notice was sent to the property owners informing them that the locked gate needed to be removed. The property owners have 30 days to take the locked gate down. This morning a petition was received to abandon a portion of Wise Lane. This petition will run through the system to determine whether or not the abandonment will be granted. Commissioner Ostlund allowed the public to speak on this issue. One person spoke in opposition to removing the gate. One person spoke in favor of removing the gate.”

They further indicated they would erect a safety barrier at the end of the road together with a widening as necessary to allow vehicle turn around. The Billings Rod and Gun Club will cover a portion of the expense to build a walk-thru as part of the barrier and explore options to facilitate entry of light watercraft at that point.

“Reno said the county Public Works Department investigated the road and said if the gate were removed, the road would be passable for another 1,000 feet. At the end of that 60-foot wide easement, Reno said, the county would allow parking and walk-in access to the river. ‘We look for these opportunities to let the public use public right of ways,’ Reno said. ‘This was, frankly, an easy one.’ ”

Many thanks to PLWA Director George Bauer from Livingston Mt, whose diligent research and effort spearheaded the latest effort.

UPDATE: November 2010

Wise Lane is an official county road leading to the north bank of the Yellowstone River between Billings and Laurel. In addition to leading to the river, PLWA research indicates it also leads to an important public island at that point. The road was created when “Petitioned” by citizens in the early part of the last century. Sadly, it was unilaterally closed by the adjacent landowner in the 1980’s.

PLWA had been unsuccessfully talking with the Yellowstone County Commissioners for years on this issue. However, in 2010 PLWA took direct action to again notify the commissioners of the continued closure and demand action. Finally, in a meeting with the Commissioners in early November of 2010, the Commissioners agreed there was no doubt that the road was an illegally blocked, official county road. They intend to enforce the decision with a court injunction if necessary.

While this specific access point is significant, the principle and precedence may be of greater significance in the long run. County commission compliance and cooperation on these types of closures has been very spotty throughout the state. They usually have to be drug screaming and kicking, sometimes with a lawsuit, to comply. Thus, the action of the Yellowstone County Commissioners to disallow illegal and unilateral closing of county roads is an important progress milestone.

They further indicated they would erect a safety barrier at the end of the road together with a widening as necessary to allow vehicle turn around. The Billings Rod and Gun Club will cover a portion of the expense to build a walk-thru as part of the barrier and explore options to facilitate entry of light watercraft at that point.

Many thanks to PLWA Director George Bauer from Livingston Mt, whose diligent research and effort spearheaded the latest effort.

Wise Lane in Pictures & Maps