EBS STAFF
LIVINGSTON –
In September construction began on the shores of Twin Lakes, located high in
the Crazy Mountains northeast of Livingston. The development is occurring on
private land that is surrounded by National Forest lands and it sparks the
contentious issue of public access and motorized use.
Many
wilderness advocates fear increased development will see to expanded motorized
use on the island mountain range’s public lands.
Members of
the Crow Tribe are among those concerned, as they have regarded the Crazy
Mountains as a sacred place for hundreds of years, and they are asking the
Forest Service to protect the area’s public lands from additional development.
Currently
the Custer Gallatin National Forest is finalizing a draft of a document that
would guide the management of the forest and Custer Gallatin spokeswoman Marna
Daley told the “Billings Gazette” that the agency would consider these requests
but even wilderness designation would not affect private property rights.
