Presidents Message

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. Some of the best observation points along this corridor are accessed by primitive roads.

In that vast prairie region that is central and eastern Montana the numerous prairie dog towns support burrowing owls. There are other species such as the prairie grouse that are indigenous to this land. Due to the enormous size of this area, the road system, both formal county roads and otherwise, is critical to those who would observe and study these species.

Frankly, I believe every one of my sightings of snowy owls has been from the window of my pickup while driving on a prairie road.

Rockhounds and geologists also use the road system to collect and expand their understanding of geologic processes.

My point is, that when a road is closed it is usually closed to everyone. Conversely, when we are able to open that road to the public, it is open to everyone.

The same is true for access to public water. The court decision we won on the Ruby River means that everyone can access the stream at those bridges regardless of the water based activity they intend to engage in.

I don’t have to tell birders how important river bank (riparian) habitat is to many species of birds.

One more point. As our fire seasons become longer and drier, the firefighters ability to quickly reach an suppress a small fire is critical. For the fire suppression people, one locked gate can make the difference between a small fire and a conflagration. Those who would say that excluding people and traffic from the land would mean no fires are forgetting that seventy to eighty percent of the fires in the northern Rocky Mountains and great plains are caused by lightning.

Let me be clear about our mission. PLWA does not condone off road travel. Likewise, we seldom challenge travel restrictions imposed by land management agencies on the public land or water. What we do challenge are those roads being closed by individuals and corporations who would privatize and commercialize Montana’s land and wildlife for profit or personal use. - John Gibson

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