There are few places in Montana that emulate the quintessential sporting paradise like the Blackfoot River and the surrounding landscape. Whether you choose to cast to rising westslope cutthroat trout or pursue bulging bull elk with a bow in September, it’s an area that truly has everything that a hunter or angler could wish for.
That’s why there is no shortage of sportsmen and sportswomen, guides, outfitters, and other businesses that support the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act, legislation that will protect our sporting heritage well into the future. Developed by Montanans for over a dozen years, the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project has resulted in major investments in the local community and landscape restoration efforts.
Championed by Senator Jon Tester, the BCSA would honor more than a decade of collaboration between landowners, sportsmen, outfitters, conservation groups, and more. The legislation would permanently protect nearly 80,000 acres of prime fish and wildlife habitat and also further catalyze restoration projects.
Unfortunately, Senator Steve Daines has continually undermined the collaborative formation of the BCSA. Most recently, during a Senate committee hearing on the bill, Senator Daines announced that he would only support the bill if it coincided with the release of certain wilderness study areas in a completely separate piece of legislation that he has yet to introduce.
Instead of joining the 83% of Montanans that support the BCSA, Senator Daines has once again chosen to ignore collaborative public lands solutions while at the same time claiming to be a public lands champion. Now more than ever, we need hunters and anglers who care about this iconic landscape to use their voice and encourage Senator Daines to stop holding this bill hostage and help get it across the finish line. Take action below to tell Senator Daines to support the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act.
