1. What is your view of the 2004 Attorney General Opinion regarding access to streams from county road bridges ?
I agree with the opinion and believe the law needs to be strengthened so there is no room for other interpretation.
2. In your opinion are public property rights important - often as important as private property rights?
I believe public property rights are as important as private property rights. They must be balanced, of course, but private property rights must not be used as a reason to block access to public lands.
3. Do you believe the state should be allowed to acquire water rights sufficient to allow major streams to function as natural aquatic systems?
Yes. I have always supported the principle of in-stream flows.
4. Are you familiar with and do you support the Public Trust Doctrine?
Yes. It’s government’s responsibility to maintain certain resources for public use.
5. Should we consider the sale of water in Montana’s rivers to be moved out of state?
No. Water is a basic human necessity and a finite resource and should not be privatized for profit, or sold by the state.
6. Should the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks remain the sole decision maker for the allocation of licenses and permits that determine who may legally hunt and harvest Montana wildlife ?
Yes. I am not aware of any other proposals, but feel strongly that a public agency, using scientific methods, must remain in control of this.
7. What should be done to reduce elk populations that exceed optimum numbers as defined in current management plans?
After making sure management plans are updated with scientific data, we should allow increased hunting. We should ask landowners to participate in special hunts, if needed.
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