Multiple-Use Groups Condemn Senator Tester’s Wilderness Legislation

Opponents of new wilderness gathered at the University of Montana to say Sen. Jon Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act would provide neither jobs nor recreation. Although the Friday evening meeting was billed as a “Montana legislative field hearing,” it was not an official event of either the Senate or the Montana Legislature. It did attract more than a dozen state legislators, several county commissioners and about 80 other attendees. About 10 land-use groups sponsored the gathering, including the Montana Farm Bureau, Montanans for Multiple Use, and Citizens for Balanced Use. About a dozen state legislators and several county commissioners addressed the audience, warning that the bill would not provide promised jobs and would lock people out of public lands. “I’m basically opposed to every aspect of this bill,” Rep. Debby Barrett, R-Dillon said. “It has absolutely no tolerance for multiple use.” Beaverhead County Commissioner Mike McGinley blamed the bill’s flaws on the “partnership strategy” of environmental, conservation and industry groups that crafted its ideas. That group was too small to represent real community perspective and didn’t let in enough outside participation, he said...read more