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Don Woerner | | Political Party: D | | House District 58 |
1. What is your view of the 2004 Attorney General Opinion regarding access to streams from county road bridges ?
The Public has a right to access as long as it is safe for them to do so.
2. In your opinion are public property rights important - often as important as private property rights?
Public property rights are on an equal footing with private property rights.
3. Do you believe the state should be allowed to acquire water rights sufficient to allow major streams to function as natural aquatic systems?
Streams cannot be artificially dewatered by things such as diversion or pumping down the water table. The state should be allowed to acquire water rights that prevents this from happening.
4. Are you familiar with and do you support the Public Trust Doctrine?
The Public Trust Doctrine includes the two broad categories of (1)wildlife and (2)public lands. I fully support the Public Trust Doctrine for both of these broad categories: (1) Wildlife "Control of wildlife is a trust for the benefit of all people, and not for the government as distinct from the people, or for the benefit of private individuals as distinguished from the public." Residents of a state can be preferred over non-residents. "Wild game existed before property ownership and their natural habits must be preserved. The property owner in this state must recognize the fact that there may be some injury or inconvenience from wild game for which there is no recourse." (2) Public Lands "Use of public lands is for the permanent good of the whole people of the state and not for the temporary benefit of individuals or companies."
5. Should we consider the sale of water in Montana’s rivers to be moved out of state?
No.
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.
7. What should be done to reduce elk populations that exceed optimum numbers as defined in current management plans?
Special hunting seasons and areas. Reward land owners who do not hoard elk. I am open to finding ways to discourage land owners who hoard elk or "reserve" trophy bulls for "special individuals."
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