As the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee prepares for its hearing on the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (BCSA) this Thursday, Sept. 21, multiple polls consistently highlight the unwavering support from Montanans for the landmark legislation.
Multiple polls consistently highlight the unwavering support from Montanans for the landmark legislation. The 2023 Colorado College Conservation in the West Poll added to this chorus of support, indicating that a staggering 84% of Montanans are in favor of the BCSA.
The BCSA aims to ensure hunting and fishing access, safeguard streams flowing into the Blackfoot River, and add nearly 80,000 acres of existing public lands to wilderness areas. The act also seeks to create new recreational zones while promoting sustainable timber harvest and habitat restoration.
“The results of survey after survey underscore the overwhelming importance of public lands to our communities, our economy, and our environment,” said Frank Szollosi, executive director of Montana Wildlife Federation. “As we approach the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, I urge our elected officials to recognize the collective will of Montanans.The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act has garnered substantial, long-standing bipartisan support. The BCSA is more than just a piece of legislation; it’s a vision for a path to preserve Montana’s legacy, economy, and way of life.”
The Blackfoot watershed is home to thriving fish and wildlife habitats, as well as a growing economy centered around timber and outdoor recreation. It offers unparalleled hunting and fishing opportunities. These wild lands warrant robust protection and management. The Grizzly Basin and the North Fork of the Blackfoot, which are priority habitat for grizzly bears and bull trout, represent some of the last remaining pristine territories in Montana.
For years, the Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF) has been a member of the Blackfoot Clearwater Steering Committee, which has been at the forefront of developing the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (BCSA). Our commitment to the landmark legislation is unwavering, and we’re proud to see support from the majority of Montanans, though we still need support from Senator Steve Daines.
The Blackfoot Clearwater Steering Committee and Senator Jon Tester have spent almost 20 years adjusting the BCSA based on discussions with stakeholders, local residents, legislators, organizations, and a steering committee, resulting in broad support from Montanans.
Montanans have long shown overwhelming support for the BCSA. The University of Montana’s biennial Voter Survey on Public Lands has consistently echoed these sentiments. Commissioned by the University of Montana’s Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Initiative, this survey has tracked the growing support for the BCSA over the years. In 2018, 73% of respondents backed the act. By 2020, this number rose to 75%. The most recent data from this survey in 2022 showed a remarkable 83% in favor of the BCSA.
The most recent poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling earlier this month, surveyed 545 Montana voters and found that 67% of respondents support the BCSA. Of those polled, 55% voted Republican in the last presidential election. A significant 89% of respondents confirmed their active use of public lands in Montana, and 88% of respondents agreed that public lands are essential to Montana’s economy, emphasizing the intertwined relationship between conservation and economic prosperity. Overall, the survey revealed that support for the BCSA transcends gender, political affiliation, age, and education.
The BCSA represents a multifaceted approach to land management, incorporating a wide range of regional interests. Its provisions, from expanding wilderness areas to creating new recreational opportunities for snowmobilers and mountain bikers, reflect a collaborative vision for Montana’s future.
Lastly, the BCSA incorporates the Southwest Crown Collaborative, which has already helped sustain local timber jobs through forest and stream restoration work. Given the increasing threats of climate change and wildfires, maintaining the health of our forests is of paramount importance.
The passage of the BCSA is long awaited, and we thank Senator Tester for his relentless advocacy for our grassroots proposal that benefits Montanans. Now, we urge Senator Daines to support this proposal and ensure it makes it to the President’s desk.
The best thing you can do to support the BCSA is to contact Senator Daines and tell him why the BCSA is important to you. You can reach Daines’ Washington D.C. office by calling (202) 224-2651.
The hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will be on Thursday, Sept. 21 at 9:30 AM EST/7:30 AM MST. You can tune into it virtually when the hearing is live here.
