Public Access Cornerstone of Administration

Montana Governor Declaration

Summer is a special time here in Montana. With the winter behind us, fishing, hiking and camping are now priorities on the minds of many Montanans. On top of that, hunting season is just around the corner.

A love for the outdoors is one of the many things that define our way of life here in Big Sky Country. That’s why it’s so important that we continue to protect public access to public lands in Montana. As Governor, I’ve made protecting access a cornerstone of my administration.

John Bohlinger and I have worked to provide more access to more Montanans by acquiring new state parks and creating new fishing access sites, all while stopping out-of-state interests from closing Montana's rivers and streams from public access.

Earlier this month, I had the honor of announcing the acquisition of 4,700-acre ranch just outside of Billings. The land borders sections of the Yellowstone River, and will soon become a new state park. The announcement was the culmination of hard work on the part of the state and many private organizations who came together to acquire the land...

Just as gun ownership is the right of every American, access to the state's public lands is the right of every Montanan. These are both rights that I believe passionately in, and they are both rights that I will continue to fight for as long as I have the opportunity to serve.

Brian Schwietzer

(Comment: The Governor needs to be reminded that in order for this to work he has to get the County Commissioners and County Attorneys on board to enforce the law when roads are closed , rather than wait for private parties to sue. )

related articles I-161 Guest Opinion ( 08/18/2010 )   Citizen Initiative 161 is sponsored by Montana resident hunters, tired of battling negative impacts caused by the current law guaranteeing Montana hunting outfitters 7,800 non-resident clients. These impacts include the loss of hunting access and the privatization of our wildlife. Sixteenmile Creek Acquisition Project ( 07/06/2010 )   Sixteenmile Creek Acquisition Project Needs Support and Comment. Two members of Public Land/Water Access Assoc.

public land issues Cherry Creek Road - Sweetgrass Cty Cherry Creek Road The Cherry Creek Road nine miles south of Big Timber, east off of Highway 298, crosses about a quarter-mile of Lee Smoot's property and then three-quarters of a mile of George Matelich and Michael Goldberg's ranch before reaching the Gallatin National Forest boundary – and 16,000 acres of public land. SCENIC VIEW ROAD - April 2010 IMPORTANT LOCAL ATTRACTION CLOSEDPrairie County commissioners are taking action approximately 2 years after a landowner erected a gate, installed a cattle guard and posted a sign across a road that leads to a popular scenic overlook northwest of the town of Terry.     10 more public land issues