Southwest Montana Stockmen’s Reflect on Active 2014
Over the last year or so we have accomplished some good things and feel that with the help of MSGA and others we have warded off some troublesome issues as well.
Both Beaverhead and Madison counties petitioned and voted to establish a livestock protective committee. The committees are authorized to assess up to 50 cents per head on cattle 9 months or older and 20 cents per head on sheep. These funds could be used in almost any way that protects the interests of the livestock industry in the county as decided upon by the committee. The Department of Revenue will collect this for us for free and the money stays in the county under supervision of the committee. These two groups should complement each other very well dealing with similar problems and close proximity.
Once again, the Yellowstone Bison were a hot topic over the past year. The proposal was to allow bison to venture out of the park to the north into a large designated area. There was an EA done on the issue and SWMSA commented on them. We supported the “no action alternative.” At least for the time being the bison are not allowed out of the usual area.
The sage grouse was at the forefront of almost all natural resource uses in the west this year. The State of Montana and the BLM each have developed management alternatives that will hopefully be enough to suppress the listing of the bird on the endangered species list. We commented on both the State and Federal plans. We don’t necessarily like everything in the alternatives that we supported but they will be better than the mandates if the bird gets listed.
The grizzly bear is currently on the endangered species list. We commented on an EA that had alternatives of management to warrant the de-listing. The numbers of bears are way up and conflicts are increasing. We were in favor of an alternative that provided for more liberal measures of mediating livestock/bear conflicts and did not lock up any additional federal land for multiple use.
In southwest Montana we have wonderful country to live and produce in. It is also a constant challenge to keep up with the times and protect this way of life. We have brucellosis, wolves, grizzlies, sage grouse, water, weeds, dead timber, and a multitude of other issues that affect natural resource use on private, state, and federal lands. We appreciate all that MSGA does on all these issues and more.
John Hagenbarth, President
Southwest Montana Stockmen’s Association
Dillon, MT