Montana’s Yellowstone River is untapped economic resource

"Yellowstone" carries a distinction that Mike Penfold thinks Montana communities along the 700-mile-long Yellowstone River have neglected to cash in on.

"You think about the name Yellowstone and there’s no place in the world that has that cachet," he said. "And tie that in with the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48, 17 museums along the way … it’s an absolute jewel of an opportunity to create a recreation area."

He compares it to a watery Appalachian Trail, a world-famous 2,200-mile hiking route that extends from Georgia to Maine. Thousands hike portions of the trail every year.

By Brett French

Full Story: http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/recreation/conservationist-sees-yellowstone-river-as-untapped-economic-resource/article_ac63467a-9610-5880-bb36-54cfe1ad054c.html