MONTANA PUBLIC LANDS COUNCIL

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Since the earliest settlement of the West, and particularly Montana, ranchers have been the caretakers and stewards of open, federal rangeland. This arrangement has been a mutually beneficial one – lessees of federal lands are responsible, environmentally-conscious land managers in partnership with the federal government. In turn, these lands, in combination with private lands, help to create many viable ranching operations for rural families, contributing to local economies and the western way of life.

Our Mission

The main responsibility of the Montana Public Lands Council is to develop and coordinate unified policy positions and pursue legislative and regulatory actions that most effectively represent Montana public lands grazing users. The Montana Public Lands Council is a leading state organization in monitoring, initiating and coordinating actions on priority public lands issues in the state.

The Montana Public Lands Council also works closely with the National Public Lands Council in Washington, D.C., on a number of national issues affecting federal lands grazing.

National Public Lands Council

Public Lands Council Public Lands Council strives to maintain a stable business environment for ranchers with public lands grazing permits, who are the caretakers of the range, the economic drivers of rural western communities, and providers of food and fiber for the nation.

2024 MPLC LEADERSHIP

Chairman: Vicki Olson, Malta
Vice Chair: Jacob Smith, Glen
Secretary/Treasurer: Ellie Brighton, Helena

Board of Directors:

Richard Stuker, Chinook

Kevin Elias – Turner

Deanna Robbins – Roy

Skip Ahlgren – Winnett

Tom Sparks – Plevna

Dusty Hahn, Townsend

Kelly Ingalls

Heath Martinell – Dell

Craig Iverson, Winnett

National Public Lands Delegate:
Vicki Olson, Malta

2021 MPLC LEADERSHIP

Chairman: Vicki Olson, Malta
Vice Chair: Craig Iverson, Winnett
Secretary/Treasurer: Raylee Honeycutt, Helena

Board of Directors:

Heath Martinell, Dell
Jack McRae, Jordan
Jacob Smith, Glen
Llane Carroll, Ekalaka
Skip Ahlgren, Winnett
Tom Sparks, Plevna
Travis Brown, Sand Springs
Warren Lybeck, Chinook
Richard Stuker (Grass Commission)

National Public Lands Delegate:
Vicki Olson, Malta

Notice of Bylaw Amendments

Click the button below to view the proposed bylaws amendments of the Montana Public Lands Council.

HEAR FROM MPLC

MPLC NEWS

MASGD Seeks Historic Photos and Documents Telling the Story of Montana Grazing Districts

HELENA, Mont. (September 29, 2022) – The Montana Association of State Grazing Districts (MASGD) is seeking historic photos or documents from ranchers that tell the more than 80 year story of Montana grazing districts. MASGD has recently launched a preservation project after being awarded a grant from the Montana History Foundation (MHF) and the Montana …
Continue reading MASGD Seeks Historic Photos and Documents Telling the Story of Montana Grazing Districts

MSGA and MPLC Join Coalition Letters to Oppose ESA Introduction Outside Historical Range

HELENA, Mont. (August 8, 2022) – The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) and the Montana Public Lands Council (MPLC) shared their members’ concerns regarding the Endangered Species Act 10(j) proposed rule change by submitting comments this week. The current 10(j) regulations relating to experimental populations restrict the introduction of an experimental population to only the species’ …
Continue reading MSGA and MPLC Join Coalition Letters to Oppose ESA Introduction Outside Historical Range

Montana Public Lands Council Says BLM Has Failed To Protect The Land In APR Grazing Allotment Decision

HELENA, Mont. (July 29, 2022) – Today, Montana Public Lands Council (MPLC) Chair, Vicki Olson, issued the following statement regarding the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final decision for the American Prairie change for bison on seven grazing allotments:  “As the state’s largest organization representing individuals who graze on public lands, the final decision issued …
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Montana Association of State Grazing Districts Elects New Leadership

HELENA, Mont. (May 17, 2022) – The Montana Association of State Grazing Districts (MASGD) conducted its Annual Meeting on May 16 in Lewistown, Montana. Along with the association’s annual business meeting, a new president and vice president were elected to lead the organization. Kevin Elias, of Chinook, was elected by the membership to the role …
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MPLC Receives Film Grant to Tell the Story of Public Lands Grazing

The Montana Public Lands Council was recently awarded a $25,000 Big Sky Film Grant to produce a documentary on public land grazing. The short-form film, which will run five to six minutes, will take a closer look into the story of the American West and the important role public lands play. Of the $1.5 million …
Continue reading MPLC Receives Film Grant to Tell the Story of Public Lands Grazing

Montana Public Lands Council Disappointed in APR Grazing Allotment Decision

HELENA, Mont. (March 30, 2022) – The Montana Public Lands Council (MPLC) shared its disappointment today as the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Malta Office issued its proposed decision regarding the American Prairie Reserve Change-of-Use. “As the state’s largest organization representing individuals who graze on public lands, our members are very familiar with the permit …
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