Comments sought on hunting and fishing license fee increases, land and water control; An update from Senator Fielder

Last week the legislative interim committees I am assigned to held three days of public hearings on a number of environmental issues including Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks’ (FWP) proposal to increase hunting and fishing license fees, ongoing analysis of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Water Compact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new rule seeking increased federal control over state waters,  and a draft report on SJ-15 Montana’s study of federal land management.

HUNTING LICENSE FEE INCREASE: EQC heard from a License and Funding Advisory Council (LFAC) whose members were appointed by Democrat Governor Steve Bullock’s executive branch. The LFAC committee held public meetings and reported they received strong public support for increasing hunting and fishing license fees. LFAC closed their public comment period in June, but the legislative branch via EQC voted to open a 30 day public comment period which will run from mid July to mid August. Submit public comments to legislative staff at jkolman@mt.gov

CSKT WATER COMPACT: With regard to the proposed Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes Water Compact, our legislature’s WPIC committee received a preliminary update on independent scientific analysis being conducted by the Bureau of Mines and Geology. We also heard three hours of public testimony from scores of NW Montana citizens mostly in opposition to the Unitary Management Ordinance (UMO). This aspect of the CSKT Compact would establish an appointed, tribally dominated board to administer the allocation of water affecting both tribal and non-tribal irrigated lands inside the Flathead Reservation boundary.

The main concern with the UMO seems to be that the tribe would be given jurisdiction over administration of water rights of not only tribal members but also non-tribal members’ irrigated lands, causing uncertainty as to who would receive enough water to stay in business and who wouldn’t.

The tribe does not have to adhere to the same laws of fairness and open public meetings required of state government. The Compact would also supersede state law. Disturbing evidence from Tribal Council minutes was presented to WPIC highlighting the Tribal Council’s refusal to lease agricultural lands to people associated with opposition to the Compact. Opponents of the compact say the same thing is likely to happen with their water if the tribe is granted control via the UMO.

NEW EPA RULE DEFINING WATERS OF THE U.S: Most opinions shared by members of the legislature’s bi-partisan Environmental Quality Council (EQC) and Water Policy Interim Committee (WPIC) expressed concern with EPA’s proposed rule which would greatly broaden federal powers over Montana’s waters and related activities of our citizens. For decades the federal government has been increasing its regulatory control over land, air, and water while the states have generally exerted efforts to maintain more reasonable state-based environmental protections. For obvious reasons, few want to see more control of our lives, lands, wildlife, and waters handed over to Washington DC.

FEDERAL LAND STUDY: Last week EQC completed its draft report evaluating federal land management in Montana. The draft is now out for a thirty day public comment period. Key findings are summed up as follows:

“Risks and concerns associated with federal land management are serious and numerous. Survey results from county commissioners, analysis of available information, and testimony received from citizens, agency staff, interest groups, elected officials and experts affirm the urgent need to correct the way federal public lands are managed.”

“It is imperative to achieve better and more active management of public lands to a) aid in reducing dangerous wildfire fuel loads, b) increase economic productivity, c) protect and provide multiple use public access, and d) increase wildlife diversity and carrying capacity where desirable. “

The bi-partisan EQC recommended the legislature pursue transferring federally controlled public lands to the state only after all other options have been investigated. I remain interested in any and all solutions that will bring about responsible public land management. Submit public comments to legislative staff at jkolman@mt.gov

Your input is important to me, and it is also necessary in order to ensure a government of the people, by the people, for the people.  I encourage you to contact me with your specific questions and cc your public comments to me by email at sen.jfielder@legmt.gov, or by U.S. mail at Senator Jennifer Fielder, P.O.  Box 2558 Thompson Falls, MT 59873.