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MISSION STATEMENT
"The mission of PLWA is to maintain, restore, and perpetuate public access to the boundaries of all Montana public land and waters."
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Cherry Creek Road -LANDOWNERS PROPOSE WATERED DOWN ACCESSIn the latest development on this road , the landowners are proposing what amounts to temporary restricted access on their terms. PLWA believes this is completely unacceptable. It would prevent most big game hunters from effectively hunting on the national forest, prevent the Forest Service from effectively doing their job, keep out all but the young and hearty, and completely eliminate the use by the handicapped. 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. (Matelich and Goldberg, as we understand it, are Wall Street executives.) Years of negotiations have failed to gain access and the Forest Service is pursuing an easement through using “eminent domain”. In June of 2010 , Matelich , Goldberg, and Smoot proposed allowing foot, horse, and mountain bike travel on a permissive basis. ... (more) |
Click map pins for Issue details.
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take action Although most of our members are probably hunters and anglers it is important to understand that when the Public Land and Water Access Association challenges a road closure we are representing everyone who might use that road for any number of purposes.One such use would those of bird watchers. Within the great bird migration corridor that runs north and south along the east side of the Rocky Mountains bird watchers can observe many birds of prey such as golden eagles and several species of hawks. ... (more) Governor Brian SchweitzerE-mail: governor@mt.govCapital StationHelena, MT 59620(406) 444-3111(406) 444-5529 (fax)Senator Max Baucus511 Hart Senate Office Bldg.Washington, D. ... (more) Montana Newspapers[Please note: Letters to the Editor must contain name, address and daytime phone number. To get published , be brief, to the point, and do not call names or put labels on people. )Billings GazettePO Box 36300Billings, MT 59107-6300Fax: 406-657-1208Email: speakup@billingsgazette. ... (more) Why elk hunters need PLWA! What game animal is the “top if the mind” symbol of Montana? Elk – without a doubt! ... (more) |
public land newsI-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. What Others Are Saying About PLWA( 06/27/2010 ) The Montana Sporting Journal in it's June 2010 edition opined as follows about the access problem in Montana :" LA ND GRAB""With the exception of the matter on wolves, no topic is more prevalentto Montana hunting and fishing circles than the problem of access.Even though the good ol’ days of healthy wildlife populations and wildtrout fisheries are still here today, it means less if we cannot enjoythem. Illegal Hunting Convictions( 05/21/2010 )
MALTA, Mont. – Members of a Minnesota family that owns property in southern Phillips County have agreed to pay $50,000 in restitution and fines for illegal baiting of big-game animals, hunting without licenses and/or permits, outfitting and other wildlife-related crimes. know your rightsCaveat and Disclaimer( 11/28/2008 )
Information on this site is provided as a matter of information and education only. It is not intended to provide legal advice or counsel . LAWS RELATING TO CLOSING OF MONTANA COUNTY ROADS ( 05/20/2010 )
LAWS RELATING TO CLOSING OF MONTANA COUNTY ROADS Private parties frequently illegally close public roads and backroads leading to public land. Action to open them can require legal action involving esoteric and arcane case law such as public prescriptive easements, or the old RS2477 federal statute. |
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.
| | Yellowstone River Islands & Access Roads | 
There are numerous islands on the Yellowstone River for which ownership is not clear.
| | Boadle Road - 2003 -2010 | 
Choteau County - A LONG COURT BATTLE The Boadle Road or “Sun River Slope Canal Road” leading to the south side of the Pishkin Reservoir , a Wildlife Management Area , and public lands beyond had been Illegally locked off by a private party claiming ownership.
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8 more public land issues |
Public Access Objectives
- Educating and informing the public on their ownership and access rights.
- Monitoring public access routes and identifying access problems.
- Initiating legal action when access has been illegally blocked.
- Monitoring public land sales exchanges, and purchases to insure that no transfers are made without full consideration of conservation and recreational values.
- Initiating programs and policies to expand public land and water access.
- Pursuing every legal and ethical avenue to protect and maintain your access to public lands and waters.
What can PLWA Do For You?
Primarily we help hunters, anglers, and other recreationists fight back against the tide of privatization of public land and waters. Montana is changing and part of this change comes from outside interests who think they can grab “ownership” of a river or public land with "No Trespassing" signs, orange paint, barb wire, chains, lawsuits, legislation and other tactics. It takes an organization with “pit bull” mentality like PLWA to deal with these situations. In many cases we are the ones who initiate appropriate legal action and are on the firing line.
PLWA is an all volunteer organization with little overhead. Your donations are almost totally used to press the issue of maintaining access. Member contributions are our only source of income. Usually the deep pockets are on the other side.
We hope you'll take a moment today to join us in our mission to retain the traditional value of access to the public landscapes which make Montana such a special place.
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