Montana’s 30 million acres of public lands need staff and funding
This op-ed originally appeared in the Independent Record
Glacier, Yellowstone, Holland Lake, the Rocky Mountain Front, and the Blackfoot Valley . . . We have more than 30 million acres of Forest Service, BLM, and National Parks, and for most Montanans, these public lands define us – they are our church, our playground, our workplace, and our way of life.
It makes sense that our largest industries – tourism and agriculture – also depend on public lands being funded and staffed. No matter your politics, age, veteran status, or how much money you have – 96% of Montanans support public lands and those who take care of them. The administration’s DOGE is making the wrong cuts. They are hitting Montana disproportionately hard in the jobs that make our public lands work. The effect of these firings is simple: if they aren’t fully and permanently reversed, Montana’s public lands will no longer be accessible to you and me.
Locally, the Helena National Forest lost more than 40 staff who were slated to lead South Hills trail crews, fight wildfires, and maintain our favorite campgrounds this summer, like Vigilante, Park Lake, and Kading. These public servants became park rangers, campground attendants, and wildland firefighters, not to get rich but to make the world better and safer. The Washington D.C. disruption is going to hit home this summer. Expect maintenance problems, long lines, and unexpected closures when you head to the woods to camp, fish, or visit a park this summer. Perhaps recreation.gov won’t work, or you find locked gates on Forest Service Roads and campgrounds that can’t open for our biggest economic season…those impacts threaten local people and our Montana way of life.
For thirty years, Prickly Pear Land Trust has partnered with land managers to enhance and expand access to public lands for all Montanans, and we will continue to do that. We’ve successfully protected over 1,300 acres in the South Hills alone and have worked with community volunteers and the Forest Service to build and maintain one of the state’s best trail systems. Stay engaged, please make your voice heard, and know that we will keep working to protect our way of life and our public lands in Montana. Happy Trails defines our community – everyday people sharing laughs outdoors, helping out neighbors, and spreading goodwill.
If you are moved to act, and I hope you are, please urge our Montana delegation to do something – force the administration to staff our public lands. Tell them that Montana’s economy and future depends on their actions today.
Senator Steve Daines
202-224-2651
Senator Tim Sheehy
202-224-2644
Representative Ryan Zinke
202-225-5628
Representative Troy Downing
202-225-3211
