Dear MT Senators, Representatives, Public EQC
Members and Tim Baker,
I am a Montana conservation hunter, a wildlife advocate and an
outdoor enthusiast, especially of wilderness areas. I greatly
value the Public Trust Doctrine and public rights of federal and
state lands. State lands, though, do not have the same rights or
for the majority of days as the Federal lands do, especially for
hunting, hiking, camping. As a US citizen, I am a landowner of
Federal lands. I desire to keep it that way.
Additionally, I am aware of the financial end of Federal
management of public lands, versus what it would take for the
State to manage those same lands (wildlfires for example). For
Montana to take over management of those lands, would required
massive amount of State employees, further expanding the State
government - that money has to come from somewhere. Fiscally, it
would not be prudent for the State of Montana to demand those
Federal lands.
Of great concern to me is the oft repeated sentiment that Federal
lands should be restored to the States, and that these lands
should be sold to the highest bidder or those politically
connected to the promoters of this land grab. Also, I am greatly
disturbed by the rising movement and participation or promotion
of, the domestic terrorism involving our Federal lands by special
interest groups (some of which are on this committee). Might does
not make right and I will fight back, even when these armed
bullies threaten with guns, promoting the using of women and
children as cowardly shields to gain media attention for their
domestic terrorism.
Polls show the majority
of people in the US do not desire to turn over their Federal
lands to States, especially to see them sold. We have a
public process, which should be transparent and in compliance with
the law, not twisted for the agenda of special interests and big
money. I do not support wholesale Federal Lands being turned over
to the State of Montana or any other State. Retaining Federal
ownership/management of those publicly owned lands is "the right thing to do for our people, for our
environment, for our economy and for our freedoms."
Thank you,
Kathryn QannaYahu
406-579-7748
Bozeman, Montana
www.emwh.org
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