Privatization Is an Erosion of the Public Interest
A lot has been taking place needing
updates. Yes, it seems like we are contantly deluged with attacks
against our public interests.
FWP's Public Access through private lands program.
First up, Remember SB 341 from this last legislative session?
Tomorrow evening, Feb. 25th, 6pm, the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks will hold a public hearing
at the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Headquarters Building, 1420 E. 6th
Avenue, Helena, Montana, to consider the proposed adoption of rules
involving the passage of SB 341.
Please take a look at the PDF on FWP's page.
Concerned persons may submit their
data, views, or arguments either orally or in writing at the hearing.
Written data, views, or arguments may also be submitted to: Jason Kool,
Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, P.O. Box 200701, Helena,
Montana, 59620-0701; or e-mail Jason.Kool@mt.gov, and must be received
by February 28, 2020.
Despite the Governor's assurance,
when he didn't veto SB 341, that FWP would draft rules to include
required researching and protecting of existing historical prescriptive
public easements/RS 2477/ Railroad grant deeds of public access (for
example), if they exist; there are no such requirements in these
proposed rules to prevent reverse adverse use attempts to exclude the
public from historical prescriptive easements.
Is Your Rep Invested In Fossil Fuels? Interactive map
Rep. Greg Gianforte has as much as $4,809,024 invested in the fossil fuel industry.
Rep. Greg Gianforte has as much as $4,809,024 invested in the fossil fuel industry.
"As Rep. Greg Gianforte (R-Mt.) and his
spouse hold up to $674,607 in Chevron stock, the oil giant lobbied
Congress last year on three pipeline safety bills assigned to the House
Energy and Commerce committee, on which Gianforte sits, as well as one
pipeline security bill."
And speaking of Gianforte, Sat. Jan. 11th...
Montana Outfitters and Guides
Association held a Governor candidate forum in Bozeman. During the
forum, which was video recorded and I have a copy of, a number of disconcerting
statements were made by Gianforte,which cold be devastating to Montana,
the Public Trust, including our wildlife.
After stating he has heard FWP
horror stories across the state, the negative impacts, one such
statement was about FWP/state employees, "So this would be a top
priority, to change the culture. We have good state workers, they have
not been led well, they don't know what success is."
I would beg to differ. Decades
before Gianforte moved to Montana, Montana had lost massive amounts of
our wildlife. A major restoration effort was led by FWP, which resulted
in Montana becoming one of the premier fish & wildlife states, which
contributed to Montana developing a leading outdoor recreation economy.
The fish & wildlife restoration was termed, "Back from the Brink."
He falsely stated, "However, FWP,
in my mind, from the stories I've heard traveling the state, are at war
with outfitters and landowners." "What FWP has not done is the voice of
the local community is not been heard in a way that allows their views
to be represented."
I have participated in numerous
local level FWP meeting where the public had plenty of opportunity to
weigh in, make or submit public comments, participate on Regional
Citizens Advisory Councils, etc.
Gianforte is fearmongering that
all things FWP are broken and disfunctional, which is simply not the
case. He is trying to create a problem, to sell you that he is the
solution. While FWP is not perfect and there is always some room for
improvement, FWP has contributed to making Montana the Last Best Place -
don't y'all forget this this election cycle.
"Of those samples, 142 tested
positive for the fatal disease, including 86 white-tailed deer, 53 mule
deer, two moose and one elk. These were Montana’s first detections in
moose and wild elk." 1 elk at an elk game farm, tested positive.
Disease transmission &
sub-species contamination, "While a portion of the mystery surrounding
Elk Zero has been solved, the investigation into who is responsible for
taking the elk from Washington and releasing him in Montana is ongoing.
Wardens in both states continue to ask questions."
1-800-TIP-MONT (1-800-847-6668). Callers can remain anonymous & may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
"The Path of the Pronghorn is a 170-mile migration
route that the antelope-like creatures have traveled annually for 6,000
years. It is one of North America’s last remaining long-distance
terrestrial migration corridors.
And it is at risk. This week conservation groups filed a legal petition challenging the Trump administration’s plan to allow 3,500 new gas wells in south-western Wyoming that would block the route."
Thank you,
Kathryn QannaYahu
406-579-7748
www.EMWH.org
Helena, MT
