WASHINGTON, D.C. - A poll of more than 500 Montanans released by the Montana Wildlife Federation showed continued support for U.S Senator Jon Tester’s Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act and collaborative efforts to protect wildlife habitat, recreational access and timber jobs. Tester as well as other stakeholders discussed the survey results and momentum of the legislation during a press conference March 15.
The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project was developed through more than a decade of local discussions among conservation, recreation and timber groups in the Seeley Lake area.
In addition to adding 79,000 acres of wilderness to the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Tester’s bill would open access to 2,000 acres of land to snowmobiling and protect access to 3,800 of acres of land for mountain biking. The recent polling suggests that 76 percent of Montanans think that access to public lands is very important.
The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act (S. 507) had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Feb. 7 where Tester testified for the legislation. Senator Steve Daines currently sits on the committee. It is currently still in committee.
“We will continue to put pressure to get it passed out of committee and get it to the floor or get it attached to a bill that is going to the floor,” said Tester. “If the bill doesn’t pass then nothing happens, the management doesn’t take place, the designations don’t take place and we don’t step forward economically for towns like Seeley.”
Superintendent of Seeley Lake Elementary Chris Stout said that not only is the legislation important for the community of Seeley Lake, “This is a unique opportunity for the students in Seeley Lake, both elementary and high school. They are actually getting to see something that is taking shape in their own backyard with community members they have grown up with and know and respect. They literally see government in action, a grass roots movement in action and community leaders come together.”
“This project is about the next generation. This project is about them and for them to be a part of it is critically important,” said Tester. “I want to thank you Chris for your leadership.”
Tester said he would like to see Senator Daines and U.S. House Representative Greg Gianforte get on board. While not essential to its success, he feels it would be a big boost to getting it passed.
“This is a bill that was developed by people on the ground, it is just the right thing to do,” said Tester. “I think the bills on the [wilderness study area] releases are more top down in nature. They are not broad based at all. It is a bill that everyone gets a little bit but no one gets everything they want. This is something that two-thirds of Montanans want…two-thirds is big.”
The Montana Wildlife Federation commissioned Public Policy Polling to conduct the survey. They engaged 512 Montana voters through automated telephone interviews between Feb. 14-16.
Their findings included:
• While 68 percent of those surveyed either strongly or somewhat supported the project, 27 percent somewhat or strongly opposed the project. Five percent were unsure.
Tester said the polling did not dig deep enough to understand why people strongly opposed the legislation. However, from the town halls he has held, he has heard that people from other states wanted to be involved in the decisions because it involves federal lands.
“Practically that doesn’t work because nothing gets done,” said Tester who added anyone was welcome at the table to collaborate during the project.
• Support for the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project was consistent across party lines with 79 percent of Democrats, 63 percent of Republicans and 63 percent of independents expressing support for the proposal.
• 75 percent of those surveyed said they would be more likely to support a forest management plan developed through a collaborative approach, versus only 10 percent who would be less likely.
• 85 percent of those surveyed think that members of Congress should hold in-person town hall meetings to hear from the public about public land management issues.
• 76 percent of Montanans think that access to public lands is very important.
Dave Chadwick, the Montana Wildlife Federation’s executive director, said, “The poll shows that all Montanans know that the best way to protect wildlife habitat, access and the local economy is for people to sit down at the table, roll up their sleeves, figure out ways to protect wilderness, to protect timber and outdoor recreation.”
Reader Comments(0)