Putting
the "Public" Back In "Public Trust"
"This
state is not for sale."
Rep. Bill McChesney
For those of you that may not have
received the last Newsletter which a server blocked as spam, here
is a link.
EQC Meeting
Report - Federal Public Lands
Update: Legislative
panel advances fed-land management report
"A legislative panel Thursday voted to advance a report on
how to encourage more state involvement in management of federal
lands in Montana — but not before changing it to say transferring
those lands to the state should be considered a 'last resort.'...However,
the panel voted against recommending a bill to create a similar,
permanent subcommittee within the council...The report now goes
out for public comment. The EQC will take a final vote in September
on the report, whose recommendations would be forwarded to the
2015 Legislature." (As soon as the report is available next
week, I will send out the link. There will be a 30 day public
comment period.)
Montana
legislators decry 'hidden agenda' of federal land study
“This state is not for sale,” said Rep. Bill McChesney,
D-Miles City. “This state cannot afford to assume ownership
of federal lands. ... I think there are hidden agendas here. I’m
just going to say it.” "Fielder said after the meeting
the idea behind the report is to scrutinize how federal lands
are being managed and identify what could be done differently
to improve it. 'Transferring management of the land to the state
is just one option, she said, but one everyone seems to want to
talk about it.' " Sen.
Fielders Agenda
State
committee balks at supporting federal lands report
"Finally, Fielder outlined nine proposed legislative actions,
including the creation of a Federal Lands Committee, the
reallocation of hunting-license fees to pay for reducing wildfire
fuels and increasing big-game habitat, and the enforcement
of building codes or fire-proofing in wildland-urban interface
areas."
"Rep. Bill McChesney, D-Miles
City, said he had concerns about the study after reading the federal
land survey that went out to the counties.
'I still feel that we built the survey to solicit the kind of
outcomes we wanted,' McChesney said. 'The fact that I spent a
half a day listening to a guy from Utah talking about taking control
of federal lands, it had cause for me to be suspect. This state
is not for sale.' "
"The committee voted to submit
edits to legislative staff so the report could be revised. After
reviewing the changes on Thursday, they’ll vote to put the
report out to 30 days of public comment."
Montanans,
unite to keep our public lands public
by Gov. Steve Bullock and US Sen. Jon Tester
"While 'allowing states to manage the lands within their
borders' may sound like an appealing idea, the real goal is a
threat to our outdoor heritage. Inevitable land sales"
Rep.
Pat Connell (R) Defending Our Federal Public Lands
"I have argued from local to the halls of Congress for enhanced
federal land management - but transfer to the state isn't the
way... Easiest way that I can explain it is right now, is that
330 + million taxpayers have the burden of paying for the cost
of ownership and management of these lands. Montana has 1 million
folks. Do the math, and the liability risks."
Texas
getting into the Game
Now Texas
has about 1.9% Federal Public Lands, but in the recent
situation concerning the Bipartisan
Sportsmen’s Act of 2014, which had a number
of important conservation bills,
then died by amendments, Sen. Ted Cruz (R) from Texas
wanted to add an amendments to this package - Cruz Amendment
#3456: Limit Federal Ownership of State Lands : Prevents
the federal government from owning more than 50 percent of the
land in any state. This clearly has nothing to do with Texas,
since Texas only has 1.9% Federal public lands, well under the
50% Cruz seems to be so concerned with. Here
is another more detailed map. Take a look
at Texas. Do you see much federal public land colors there? No!
Obviously this is the Republican right wing agenda to rob the
American people of their federal land ownership and kill a legislative
package that would have included major components for land, water
and wildlife conservation.
Statewide
Survey of Montana Voters Presentation- July
17-19 2014
Survey conducted across Montana, across party lines, in all areas,
every type of community:
Public
Lands Interpretive Association Map
I have chosen Montana, but you can choose another state to view
Public Lands and types of access available for you as a Public
Landowner. Now just using the MT map, I noticed that they dont
allow for every icon in crowded spaces - overlapping. For example,
they dont show the Dome Mountain Wildlife Management Area south
of Livingston, but if you click on the left hand tabs and choose
"State Parks, Monuments and other lands", the Dome Mountain
WMA shows up. You can change the view to satellite by clicking
in the upper right box, or you can check the lower right box and
see the type of public land underlay. Have fun and explore your
Public Lands.
2014-2018
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)
"Creating a Vibrant Future for Montana's Outdoor Recreation
Heritage"
"Creating a Vibrant Future for
Montana’s Outdoor Recreation Heritage is a roadmap for public
recreation planning in Montana for 2014-2018. Developed through
the collaboration of federal, state and local outdoor recreation
providers, land managers, and partners, the plan serves as a catalyst
to enhance the quality of life of all Montanans and support vibrant
communities through a growing recreation industry.
'As Montanans, parks and outdoor recreation
are our way of life,” said Governor Steve Bullock. “Montana
is home to magnificent landscapes and abundant opportunities to
get outside. I am pleased to present this bold effort to ensure
these opportunities continue to exist and expand.' "
The
beautiful 2015 Yellowstone Country Wild Bison Calendar
"...joyous celebration of this awesome animal, with breathtaking
photos, interesting facts, inspirational quotes and poetry, and
beautiful artwork." Available now from Buffalo Field Campaign.
I would
like to thank the following contributors for supporting EMWH.
Your gift is very much appreciated.
Timothy Border
Skyline/Anaconda Elk Litigation
Fund
PO Box 173, Butte, MT 59701
Skyline
Sportsmen and Anaconda Sportsmens Associations lawsuit against
FWP & the FWP Commission
Thank you,
Kathryn QannaYahu
406-579-7748
www.emwh.org
