Although the conservation challenges facing others across
Montana vary, the fact remains that grassroots efforts have sprung
up where folks have chosen to set aside their differences and work
together. They say all politics is local and that's certainly the
level where the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act originated. The
compromises and agreements forged by the many folks involved were
done so in an open fashion, through years of hard work, lengthy
debate, and input from many different types of people.
We know how hard that work is. As a group of small-business owners,
hunters, ranchers and outfitters who depend on the land to make our
living, we've also hammered out a local solution that would protect
the Rocky Mountain Front and fight off noxious weeds. Now that the
Forest Jobs and Recreation Act has left the local communities where
it was created and moved out to Washington, D.C., we hope it will
prevail under Sen. Jon Tester's leadership.
As we've seen during the past few weeks, the rules of engagement in
D.C. are different than they are at the kitchen tables in places
like Ovando, Dupuyer, Choteau, Deer Lodge and the Yaak. But
Montanans should be proud that Jon Tester is willing to honor the
hard work of local folks who have spent years hammering out
made-in-Montana solutions.
By championing the Forest Jobs and Restoration Act, Tester has
taken the bull by the horns and is addressing the challenge of
keeping jobs in the mills and creating jobs on the land restoring
streams and protecting communities from wildfire. The forest bill
also protects some our most special areas in the state and
safeguards elk security habitat, improves our fisheries, and
designates over 600,000 acres of wilderness.
Our country faces plenty of challenges and our delegation has a lot
on their plates as they weigh topics such as energy and taxes; but
here at home it's very clear that Montanans must continue to work
together to push our issues to the forefront. That's what we've
done on the Rocky Mountain Front where we've forged the Rocky
Mountain Front Heritage Act, a legislative proposal intended to
protect vital wildlife habitat, elevate noxious weed efforts, while
respecting the area's working landscape.
Working together is the only way we will end the stalemate over
natural resource management while achieving lasting protection of
our most treasured Montana landscapes. That's why we support the
efforts of those involved in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership,
the Yaak, and the Blackfoot-Clearwater. By championing the Forest
Jobs and Recreation Act, and bringing together collaborative
conservation efforts across the state, Tester has entered into the
rare world occupied by leaders.
It's been 22 years since we've been at this point in the discussion
of forging innovative land management solutions and designating new
wilderness. Now it is up to Montanans to get back to work and go
through the bill, send in their suggestions, and work with the
Senator in a meaningful way in order to achieve success, both in
restoring jobs, and restoring wildlands. Tester, when he introduced
this bill last July, made it clear that introduction was just the
starting point of the discussion. We believe he's lived up to that
statement.
Theodore Roosevelt once said, "It behooves every man to remember
that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance,
and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does
things." We couldn't agree more.
Roy Jacobs is a taxidermist in Pendroy; Karl Rappold is a
rancher in Dupuyer with Teri Rappold. This opinion was also signed
by Choteau outfitters Bill and Polly Cunningham, Conrad farmer Joe
Perry, Choteau attorney Stoney Burk, Augusta ranchers Jim and
Shirley Brogger, and Tony and Deb Porcarelli of Fairfield.