By Scott Christensen GUEST COLUMNIST
Much has recently been written about the galvanizing force of public lands. Seeing all parts of the political spectrum come together in opposition to Congressional efforts to sell public land is a good reminder of the critically important role these lands play in supporting communities, businesses, and the world-renowned fish and wildlife found in Montana and Greater Yellowstone. The demonstration of such unified support for public land sent a clear message to our elected congressional leaders in Montana, and they deserve credit for opposing the short-sighted and unpopular notion of selling or transferring public land.
Of course, the attacks on public land keep coming, with the recent proposal to open millions of acres of the most pristine backcountry hunting and fishing areas in the country to development by rescinding the longstanding Roadless Rule. If it seems like there is a lot happening in the “defend public land space,” well, there is. And in Montana, keeping public lands in public hands and not blasting roads into our favorite backcountry areas is a big deal. Let’s keep showing up in ways that make that crystal clear to our political leaders.
It’s often said in sports that a good defense is the best offense. In that vein, I suggest we strive for more than simply defending public land from the highest bidder or biggest dozer. Let’s proactively protect them. This is the best investment we can make for ourselves, our children, and our way life. Fortunately, there are two opportunities right now in southwest Montana to do just that.
First, the Gallatin Forest Partnership, with support from hundreds of businesses, more than 2,500 Montanans and many local elected officials, has asked the state’s senators and representatives to introduce and champion the Greater Yellowstone Conservation and Recreation Act. This community-based proposed legislation will forever protect 250,000 acres of our wild backyard in the Gallatin and Madison ranges. The bill protects prized backcountry areas from future development and secures the current recreational footprint, allowing continued access to your favorite trails and forest destinations.
And second, Congressman Ryan Zinke recently introduced the Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement and Tourism Act to safeguard two of the state’s most iconic waters, the Gallatin and Madison rivers. This bill, introduced in July in the House of Representatives, will protect 100 miles of some of the best trout fishing water anywhere on the planet and enjoys broad bipartisan support, including from Gallatin and Madison County commissions.
With so much on the line for the places that support our way of life, let’s demonstrate our collective love for public lands and show up like Montanans to protect them. Please join me in asking Sens. Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy and Reps. Zinke and Troy Downing to not only defend our great public lands and waters, but to lead the way in protecting them.
These leaders have two wildly popular opportunities to ensure the lands and rivers that make southwest Montana what it is today, remain for generations to come. And that’s the best legacy any of us could ask for.
Scott Christensen is the executive director of Greater Yellowstone Coalition.
