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Federal Rewrite of Sage-Grouse Plans Throws Out Years of Hard Work

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https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/
Photo by Jennifer Strickland, USFWS.

On December 6, the Bureau of Land Management released a proposal to rewrite conservation plans that were intended to conserve the greater sage-grouse. Dave Chadwick, Executive Director of the Montana Wildlife Federation, said the following:

“The 2015 sage-grouse conservation plans were the product of years of hard work by wildlife managers, conservationists, hunters, ranchers, local government and the energy industry. It wasn’t easy, but we worked together to find a way to protect sage-grouse habitat, prevent the species from becoming endangered, and maintain all the different ways people use our public lands.

“In Montana, a deal is a deal. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to hold true in Washington, DC. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has decided to walk away from the bargain that the federal government made with Montanans – and all Westerners. By throwing out local input and multiple-use management in the name of ‘energy dominance’, the federal government is putting the sage-grouse back on the road to extinction, endangering hundreds of other species, and threatening public access to public land.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/
Photo by Tom Koerner, USFWS

“The federal government’s reckless move has emboldened some Montana legislators to call for backing out of the sage-grouse conservation at the state-level as well. More than a dozen bills have been unveiled that would repeal hard-negotiated habitat protections at the state level. The ‘not warranted’ decision was predicated largely on the strength of state plans. If we roll those back, on top of the rollbacks we’re seeing from Washington, we leave it up to a judge to decide the fate of not only the sage-grouse, but all Westerners who live, work and recreate on our public lands.”

Clock is Ticking for Congressional Action on Public Lands, Wildlife

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winter capitol The midterm congressional election was bruising in Montana and nationwide.  Fortunately, conservation was one issue that was not a point of contention in these divided political times.  Montana saw the re-election of Senator Jon Tester and Representative Greg Gianforte, both of whom are on record supporting several important Montana conservation priorities. Immediately after the election, Congress returned to Washington for a “lame duck” session that will continue through adjournment in December.  MWF and our conservation partners will be watching closely and working tirelessly to get several Montana priorities enacted in this crucial window of time.

Restoring the Land and Water Conservation Fund

At the end of September, Congress allowed the 50-year old Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)  to expire. LWCF is one of the nation’s most important programs, funding the acquisition of public land and public access.  In Montana, the program has funded projects in every county of the state, including everything from wilderness lands to local soccer fields.  It has been crucial to our state’s unmatched access to the outdoors and abundant wildlife populations.

Unfortunately, the authorization for LWCF expired at the end of September, endangering future conservation projects.  Senator Jon Tester has long been a champion for permanent authorization and full funding for LWCF, and in recent months he has been joined by both Senator Steve Daines and Representative Greg Gianforte in supporting this important Montana priority. LWCF also enjoys broad, bipartisan support nationwide.

During the closing weeks of the year, MWF will be working with our partners in Montana and across the nation to secure permanent reauthorization and full funding for LWCF.

MWF Gears Up to Fight

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Photo by Marcus Strange.

The 2019 Legislature will, as always, be a busy one for issues that affect wildlife, habitat, and access for sportsmen and sportswomen, as well as recreationists. The session will be dominated by issues surrounding the state budget, Medicaid expansion, infrastructure funding, and education issues. But as always, natural resources bills will be prominent with Montanans.

In the state Senate, Republicans will hold a 30-20 majority, while in the House of Representatives, Republicans will have a 58-42 seat majority. Scott Sales, R-Bozeman, will again serve as Senate President, while Jon Sesso, D-Butte will be the Senate Minority Leader. In the House, Greg Hertz, R-Polson, will serve as Speaker, and Casey Schreiner, D-Great Falls, is Minority Leader.

As the majority party, Republicans will chair committees in both houses. The Senate Fish and Game Committee will be chaired by Senator Jennifer Fielder, R-Thompson Falls and the Senate Natural Resources Committee will be chaired by Sen. Jeff Wellborn, R-Dillon. In the House, the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee will be chaired by Rep. Bob Brown (R-Thompson Falls) and Natural Resources Committee will be chaired by Rep. Kerry White (R-Bozeman). MWF will be working closely with lawmakers of both parties to ensure that FWP’s budget is sound and that key conservation priorities get the staffing and funding needed to manage our public trust resources.

Our ability to give Montanans a voice at the Capitol depends on your support.  Please make a quick donation to help us speak up for wildlife, hunting and fishing, and public access in 2019!”

Block Management

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John elk

Montana hunters are in the heart of the general deer and elk season. Over the course of the year, hunters have been getting ready by sighting in rifles, organizing gear, and scouting areas to find a place with a chance to punch a tag.

Of course that critical element – a place to go – is vital for a successful hunt. Montana is blessed with millions of acres of public land, including national forests, Bureau of Land Management and state Wildlife Management Area lands that are open to the general public. Montana is also blessed with thousands of generous landowners who welcome hunters to their properties. Many landowners choose to open their gates through the popular Block Management program. A model throughout the country, Block Management has opened up more than 7.5 million acres across the state. Through the program, landowners allow public hunters onto their lands.

In return, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (through fees paid by hunters) provides services including enforcement, hunter management, and proper signage to help out landowners. The landowners also receive payments to help offset some of the impacts of hunters, including weed management. Each area has its own rules, and hunters need to check with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for information on specific Block Management Areas. Block Management is mentioned by hunters throughout the West as a great partnership. Residents and non-residents alike have come to rely on these areas throughout the state. The program not only opens up private lands but in many cases also provides access to adjoining public lands. It’s been a huge success and one that the Montana Wildlife Federation strongly supports. If you get out on a Block Management area this fall, be sure to thank the landowner. Hunters are still guests on these areas, and without them, we’d have less hunting opportunity.

Gov. Bullock Protected Habitat Montana

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Horse Creek Easement 5 Gov. Steve Bullock stood up for private property rights, sportsmen and sportswomen and wildlife habitat with his move today to protect conservation easements under the Habitat Montana program.

Bullock filed a lawsuit today against Attorney General Tim Fox challenging his official opinion that Habitat Montana conservation easements must be approved by the state Land Board. Bullock pushed for the Montana Supreme Court to rule on the case, saying with the clock ticking on three easements it is imperative for the landowners and the Habitat Montana program that it make a quick ruling on the case.

“The Habitat Montana program is crucial for protecting habitat and improving public access through partnerships between hunters and landowners,” said Dave Chadwick, MWF executive director. “The conservation easements that Habitat Montana funds are essential to our wildlife herds, our farmers and ranchers for their businesses and our hunters. We must continue this program to keep Montana’s strong hunting heritage for everyone into the future.”

“I’m not a lawyer, so I defer to the legal experts at FWP and in the Governor’s office.  We thank Gov. Bullock for his action to keep Habitat Montana conservation easements moving forward.  With several easements in the works that must be completed by the end of the year, we’re hopeful that we get a quick resolution to this issue to give certainty to our farmers and ranchers who spend years working with FWP to plan easements.”

The case arose when the Land Board indefinitely delayed the Horse Creek Complex conservation easement near Wibaux. The 20,000-acre project was approved by Bullock when he determined Board approval isn’t required for conservation easements. Fox, in an Attorney General’s opinion last week, determined Board approval is required. An AG’s opinion is law until overturned by a court. Bullock in his suit is seeking a quick ruling from the Montana Supreme Court, saying it is imperative for three easements in the works that must be completed by the end of the year.

Jeff Lukas – MWF Elk Campaign Manager

Jeff Lukas

Conservation Director

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.