New Membership Renewal Membership Youth Membership

News

The Latest Public Land Takeover Scheme: Death by 1000 Cuts

by

Sage Grouse. Photos by Bob Wick, BLM Photo Credit:Bob Wick, BLM

The idea that public lands ought to be transferred to state management continues to be soundly defeated by public opinion and the legislative process. The American people and sensible lawmakers know that public land transfer is just a poorly veiled attempt to rob the public of access to our land so that it can closed off, developed, and sold off.

Knowing they can’t win in a fair fight, the anti-public land crowd has adopted a “death by a thousand cuts” approach. They are chipping away at our public lands bit by bit, attacking the multiple-use mandate that has been a core principle of land management for the last 40 years.

Utah Congressman Rob Bishop has been caught holding the knife in the latest attempt to give federal public land to state control. Bishop recently introduced a bill (HR 527) that would allow states to block federal land management actions to protect the greater sage-grouse. This bill appears to be a reintroduction of a measure he hastily wrote last year that would give state governors the unilateral power to invalidate the authority of the Interior Department “to make, modify, or extend any withdrawal, nor amend or otherwise modify any Federal resource management plan applicable to Federal land in the State.” All governors need to do to exercise this land grab is send a “notification” to the Interior Department, with no check and balances and zero input from the public.

Bishop’s bill purports to be about sage-grouse, but it has nothing to do with conserving the bird, its habitat, or multiple-use land management. It is premised on a false choice and a flawed understanding of how the state and federal sage-grouse plans work.

Sage-grouse conservation is not an either-or choice between federal plans or the state plans. It takes both efforts, working together, to succeed. The ten states in sage-grouse country adopted plans at the state-level to govern activities on private and state land. At the same time, the federal sage-grouse plan was created to establish protections for the species on Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands. This coordinated effort was key to the Department of Interior’s determination that the sage-grouse did not need to be listed under the Endangered Species Act in 2015.

The federal and state sage-grouse plans were developed with a diverse group of stakeholders including farmers, ranchers, hunters and conservationists, and local government officials. This coordinated efforts is one of the greatest collaborative conservation successes in our nation’s history. In addition to protecting the sage-grouse, the plan protects numerous other species that depend on sagebrush habitat. And the plans help keep working farms and ranches in business, while also supporting oil and gas development on public land.

Unfortunately, Bishop and other politicians want to throw out the sage-grouse plans so they can push forward their agenda of state takeover of public lands. If passed, this bill would be another deep slice in the “death by a thousand cuts” of multiple-use public land management.

Now is the time for hunters and hikers, backpackers and mountain bikers, ranchers and farmers, and all who value the our public lands to draw a hard line and let those who we have elected to represent us know that the sage grouse shouldn’t be used to score politics points. Montanans will not tolerate another attack on our public lands.

John Bradley is Montana Wildlife Federations Eastern Field Rep. You can contact him at jbradley@mtwf.org

Capitol Wildlife Report: Things Pick Up at Legislature

by

ElkCapitol

Wildlife and hunting bills picked up sharply in the second week of the 2017 Legislature. Last week the Montana Wildlife Federation testified on more than half a dozen bills that affect our public wildlife, fishing regulations, and hunting rules.

Shooting from a vehicle

Among the bills last week were SB 91, sponsored by Sen. Jed Hinkle, R-Bozeman. This bill would change state law in how we enforce a ban on hunting from a vehicle. One change – clarifying that spotting game from a vehicle, was supported by MWF. However, MWF did not support other provisions of the bill, because it could potentially erode our decades old fair chase hunting heritage that discourages road hunting. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks testified that last year there were only six violations statewide, so there is no need for the bill.

Funding changes

Another bill that we opposed was HB 164, which redirected funding from the base hunting license every hunter must purchase to go into the hunter access program, and away from the general license account for operations. MWF supports hunter access, however, the bill, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Flynn, R-Townsend, would cost FWP roughly $500,000 for operations. We are working with the sponsor to make some changes that would be acceptable. MWF worked hard last session to revamp our license system and we want to keep those changes in place.

MWF did come in to support HB 97, sponsored by Rep. Denley Loge, R-St. Regis. This bill would increase the cap on block management payments available to a landowner from the current $12,000 to $15,000. The bill came out of the Private Land/Public Wildlife (PLPW) Council. MWF supports giving landowners a raise for public hunting access.

Livestock loss payments

MWF helped build support for SB 73, sponsored by Sen. Pat Connell, R-Hamilton. This renewal of the Livestock Loss compensation program is needed, and the bill includes funding for prevention work to keep grizzly bears and wolves from attacking livestock. These programs include range riders, fencing of attractants and livestock carcass removal programs that have been very effective at heading off problems. They help build support and tolerance for grizzlies and wolves, and are key to allowing these native predators to live in suitable habitat around the state.

Landowner licenses for access agreements

MWF also supported another PLPW bill, HB 96, sponsored by Rep. Zach Brown, D-Bozeman. This bill would give a non-transferrable license and/or permit to a landowner, including nonresidents, for every four public hunters allowed on their property under a contract with FWP. The landowner license could go to immediate family members or a full-time employee of the landowner, and not sold or transferred. Such programs are controversial, but Montana has already had the program for resident landowners and had only two participate. MWF supported a review of any agreements to determine how it’s working.

Barbless hooks, bighorns and more

Other bills last week included:

  • A measure allowing FWP to designate certain waters as catch and release, and require barbless hooks (SB 84. We opposed this bill cause FWP already has such authority.
  • A bill allowing hunters who kill a lamb or juvenile ram on special management bighorn hunts to apply for a license immediately, rather than wait seven years (HB 128), which MWF supported.
  • A bill to clarify that the spouse of a military member who is a Montana resident and stationed out of state qualifies as a resident(HB 150), which MWF supported.
  • A bill that allows a nonprofit organization to serve wild game in hot meals (HB 166). W supported the bill because it is well written to ensure it doesn’t promote commercialization of wildlife and will be beneficial to the less fortunate.

In addition, MWF spoke in support of the funding for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and in particular continuation of the sage-grouse conservation program. This program has helped conserve habitat in key sagebrush-steppe habitats to keep the bird from being listed on the Endangered Species Act list. It benefits numerous other species, including mule deer, antelope and songbirds.

Looking ahead

This week will be a busy one again, although the Senate Fish and Game committee does not have meetings scheduled. We will face a shooting range funding bill (HB 151) which would be a diversion of Pittman-Robertson federal funds. While we support shooting range development, the bill could cost FWP $18 million intended for wildlife conservation. Several other bills may receive a hearing as the week goes on.

Keep watching the MWF billtracker for details, or contact Nick Gevock on the MWF staff at ngevock@mtwf.org.

Major Victory in the Badger-Two Medicine

by

two-medicine-river_gene-sentz

The fight isn’t over, but a major battle has been won in permanently protecting the tremendous wildlife, and public hunting and fishing within the Badger-Two Medicine area on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, between Glacier National Park and the Blackfeet Nation. On Tuesday, January 2, 2017, the U.S. Department of Interior retired the last two remaining gas and oil leases in the Badger-Two Medicine Area – the last two of many leases issued 35 years ago.

Some places are too wild, too special, to develop and drill; the Badger-Two Medicine area is one of those places. For more than 35 years a unique coalition of hunters, anglers, tribal leaders, county commissioners, ranchers, outfitters, local businessmen and even several gas and oil companies have worked cooperatively to protect the abundance and diversity of wildlife and habitat within the Badger-Two, along with the hunting and fishing opportunities they provide. Today marks a major victory in that effort.

The clean, clear waters within the Badger-Two Medicine Area sustain some of the last strongholds for threatened Westslope cutthroat trout, as well as healthy populations of elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, grizzly bears and other wildlife. The area also provides some of the best backcountry hunting and angling in Montana. The hunters and anglers of the Montana Wildlife Federation have worked with the Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance, the Montana Wilderness Association, the Blackfeet Nation and others in a locally-led, grassroots efforts to protect the Badger-Two.

There is one energy company challenging the legality of the canceled leases, so the fight isn’t over – but it’s a major victory for those of us who hunt, fish and cherish the wildlife and wild places of Montana.

David Stalling is Montana Wildlife Federation’s western field rep. You can reach him at dstalling@mtwf.org

Capitol Wildlife Report:

by

Montana Capitol

We’re off and running at the 2017 Legislature, with several bill hearings last week that affected wildlife and habitat.

LEGISLATURE KICKS OFF WITH SOME “CLEAN UP” BILLS

Last week was taken up mostly by clean up bills proposed by Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). They included removing the ambiguous term “civet cats” from state law as a predatory animal. There were also bills affecting private fish pond stocking, a bill to continue to allow limited bison permits for Native American tribes, and a bill to allow a pilot program for electronic hunting tags for big game, and a bill to clarify eligible uses of livestock loss prevention funds. MWF staff testified on all of these bills.

PROACTIVE MEASURE OFFERED ON ENDANGERED SPECIES/LIVESTOCK LOSS

This week we have the main bill to address livestock loss prevention, SB 73, sponsored by Sen. Pat Connell, R-Hamilton. The bill would lift the sunset on the livestock loss program and continue to allow funding to be used for prevention work. This important program helps with programs such as livestock carcass removal, fencing of attractants and range riders to prevent conflicts with grizzly bears and wolves. It is tangible, on-the-ground conservation that benefits wildlife and people, and it brings together livestock producers and conservationists. MWF strongly supports these proactive measures and will be there to support the bill.

DRAFTS OFFERED ON PUBLIC LAND TAKEOVER

Bill drafts have been requested on several proposals that appear to promote the idea of a state takeover of federal lands. Although specific bill language is not yet available, MWF is monitoring the issue closely. We are also working with a coalition of conservation and outdoor groups to plan a Rally on January 30 in support of public lands. Mark your calendars and watch for more information.

SEVERAL MORE WILDLIFE BILLS ON THE HORIZON

On Tuesday, the House Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Committee will hear HB 96, sponsored by Rep. Zach Brown, D-Bozeman. This bill would extend to nonresident landowners a program that provides resident landowners with one non-transferable permit for immediate family or designee in return for allowing public hunters chosen by FWP. This bill was promoted by the collaborative Private Land/Public Wildlife Committee.

Other bills for the week include HB 150, sponsored by Kerry White, R-Bozeman, which would clarify the residency requirement for armed forces members; HB 164, Kelly Flynn, R-Townsend, which would revise the distribution of base hunting license funds; HB 157, Forrest Mandeville, which would remove the restriction on owning domestically bred foxes; HB 128, Ray Shaw, R-Sheridan, revising the waiting period for bighorn sheep licenses; and HB 97, Denley Loge, R-St. Regis, which would increase the payment cap for Block Management participants.

MWF’s position on key bills is determined by our Legislative Committee, a group of volunteers which meets every Monday night. For more information on any issues or to provide your feedback on specific proposals, contact Nick Gevock at ngevock@mtwf.org or 406-458-0227 ex 108.

For live updates on the current status of any bill, visit the MWF Bill Tracker at montanawildlife.org/billtracker.

Nick Gevock is Montana Wildlife Federation’s Conservation Director. You can reach him at ngevock@mtwf.org.

MWF looks forward to working with Martha Williams as Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director

by

FWP logo
Governor Steve Bullock has announced the nomination of Martha Williams of Missoula as the next Director of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP).

Ms. Williams is currently a professor of law at the University of Montana.  She has worked for FWP in the past, as well as the US Department of the Interior.  In response to the nomination, MWF’s Executive Director Dave Chadwick said:

“Martha Williams has a distinguished career in wildlife management law and policy, including having worked for Fish, Wildlife and Parks in the past, as well as experience with federal land and wildlife agencies.  Montana’s fish and wildlife is a crucial public resource, essential to our heritage and our economy.  The Montana Wildlife Federation looks forward to working with Ms. Williams to defend science-based wildlife management, build partnerships with private landowners, and expand public access for hunting and fishing.”

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.