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Day: February 27, 2017

Special Interest Politics Kills Common-Sense Public Access Bill

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Tenderfoot Creek Road

Today the Montana House of Representatives voted to kill a bill that would have strengthened the authority of county governments to remove illegal barriers on county roads that block access to public land for hunting, fishing, and other recreation.

The bill, HB 295, would have authorized county governments to remove illegal gates on established county roads and impose higher fines on people who place such barriers. It would also have allowed counties to issue permits for landowners with legitimate encroachment needs. The bill was sponsored by Tom Jacobson, D-Great Falls.

HB 295 would have addressed the problem of illegal gates on public roads that block access to public land. As documented by the Montana Wildlife Federation in a report last year, these barriers are a real problem for too many Montana hunters, anglers, and outdoorspeople. The bill was developed over several months of negotiations with public hunters, county officials, and other stakeholders to ensure that it would balance public access with private property rights and legitimate maintenance needs.

“Montana lawmakers who really care about public access and private property rights supported this common-sense bill,” said Jacobson. “Thank you to the Montana Wildlife Federation, the Montana Association of Counties, and other stakeholders for your hard work to find common ground on this issue.”

Despite strongly supportive testimony from sportsmen, county governments, and other stakeholders, HB 295 was tabled in the House Judiciary Committee. Today’s vote would have allowed for consideration of the bill by the full House of Representatives.

“HB 295 had no opposition except the anti-access fringe groups who have repeatedly attacked Montana’s stream access and habitat conservation laws. We worked in good faith to increase county authority and local control, helping end conflicts before they become expensive lawsuits,” said MWF Executive Director Dave Chadwick. “It is sad to see some Montana lawmakers cave to special interest politics and oppose common-sense solutions.”

Locked Out: How Illegal Road Closures Keep Montanans From Their Public Lands

Capitol Report: Rush of Bills Before Transmittal Break

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ElkCapitol

The Legislature is nearly at the halfway point and that means transmittal, when most bills must have passed one chamber in order to stay alive. That caused a rush of bills to be passed – or die – last week, as committees took up executive action on numerous measures. Here’s the rundown:

Wilderness Releases

The Montana Wildlife Federation and our conservation partners worked to turn out volunteers to opposed HJ 9, a resolution that calls on Congress to release hundreds of thousands of acres of Wilderness Study Areas from consideration for wilderness designation. The hearing drew more than 70 opponents, but the bill passed out on Friday. MWF and our partners will continue to fight this misguided proposal on the House floor.

Public Lands Resolutions

Two good resolutions to put Montana on record against the sale or transfer of federal public lands where heard this week, with one in each chamber (SJ 17 and HJ 11). MWF and our volunteers were there to testify, but both were killed in committee. Attempts to blast them onto the floor of their respective chambers were also defeated.

Public Lands Day

On a positive note, HB 491 to designate March 1 as Public Lands Day to honor our public lands was heard and drew wide support. The bill passed out of the House FWP Committee and is going to the House floor this week.

State Parks Changes

This week was a busy one for the state parks division of FWP. The House FWP Committee passed out HB 324, which would make changes to how the parks are administered, including letting the State Parks Board select the director of the division. In addition, the committee heard HB 454, which would have moved the parks department to the Department of Commerce. Both bills would be bad for FWP and could have jeopardized millions of federal hunting and fishing equipment excise taxes. MWF continues to oppose these bills.

Grizzly Delisting Resolution

MWF testified against HJ 15, a resolution that calls on Congress to delist grizzly bears from the federal Endangered Species List for the entire state. Although MWF supports the delisting of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly population, we do not support a statewide delisting, nor do we support Congress doing an end run around the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service process to use science to make a decision.

Hunter Pink, Lighted Nocks Go Down

The Senate Fish and Game committee tabled SB 237, which would have allowed blaze pink as an option for meeting the hunting safety requirement. It also tabled SB 225, which would have made legal lighted nocks for archery hunting equipment. MWF opposed the equipment change because lighted nocks were just approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission, which is where such decisions should be made.

As always, check the Montana Wildlife Federation bill tracker at montanawildlife.org for the most up-to-date information on bills and where they’re at in the process. For questions, contact MWF Conservation Director Nick Gevock at ngevock@mtwf.org or by calling 458-0227 ext. 108.

Jeff Lukas – MWF Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas

Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas is a passionate conservationist who has been fishing and hunting his entire life. Whether it’s floating a small stream chasing trout, pursuing elk in the high country, or waiting in a blind for ducks to set their wings, Jeff is always trying to bring more people afield to show them what we are trying to protect. He loves being in the arena, and he will never shy away from conversations about the beautiful and unique corners of Big Sky country.