House supports resolution dissolving wilderness study areas

February 28, 2017 by Laura Lundquist

On Tuesday, the Montana House of Representatives gave initial approval to a bill that would ask Congress to dissolve seven wilderness study areas and open the lands to multiple uses, including logging, mining and a wide range of recreation.

Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman, told the House that House Joint Resolution 9 is just asking Congress to do its job and decide the fate of seven wilderness study areas designated in the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977. The act directed the federal government to study the areas and then decide within five years whether to create wilderness or not. Until the decision was made, the areas were to be maintained in a wild condition, which has prompted wilderness opponents to call the areas “de-facto wilderness.”

Bill mash-up could increase pay for block management landowners

January 12, 2017 by Laura Lundquist

Even the best government programs can’t get far if they don’t have their own funding.

That’s the hurdle Rep. Kelly Flynn, R-Townsend, has run into almost every session when he’s tried to get more money for the landowners who participate in Montana’s block management program.

Early FWP bills address block management, fishing access funding

December 30, 2016 by Laura Lundquist

As the 65th Montana Legislature convenes on Monday, legislators have already proposed least two bills that would affect Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ shoestring budget.

After hours of hearings and counter proposals in 2015, the Legislature approved most of FWP’s proposed budget that had been developed by a working group of hunters, fishermen and outfitters. One of the major changes was having the budget cover four years, unlike previous versions that were mapped out over 10 years.