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Jack Sands | | Political Party: R | | Senate District 27 |
1. What is your view of the 2004 Attorney General Opinion regarding access to streams from county road bridges ?
I have reviewed the opinion, and I agree with it. In my opinion, it is a correct and balanced interpretation of Montana constitutional and statutory law. i think its terms shuold be incorporated into legislation.
2. In your opinion are public property rights important - often as important as private property rights?
Yes. Much of Montana consists of land owned by the federal and state governments. That means the lands are owned by all the people. Access to those lands and obtaining a fair return on them are important rights that our State Government should and must preserve and protect. Our Constitution at Article 10, section 11 mandates that we do so.
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. But those rights of course must be balaned with the rights of existing water rights holders.
4. Are you familiar with and do you support the Public Trust Doctrine?
I am familiar with the Doctrine. As noted above, it is contained in Article 10, Section 11 of the Montana Constitution. I support it fully.
5. Should we consider the sale of water in Montana’s rivers to be moved out of state?
Generally no. Water is a critical commodity in the Rocky Mountain West, and the future of Montana as we know it depends on access to adequate water resources. We should be very reluctant to give or sell any of it on any kind of a long term basis.
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?
Hunters should be allowed to harvest the excess.
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