On February 20, Senator Daines scheduled a meeting at Hamilton at 1:15pm to have a public discussion of his bill to abolish most Wilderness Study Areas in Montana. However, without any notice (except perhaps to some supporters), he changed the meeting time to around 12:30. His “discussion” was over by 1pm and 30-40 people who showed up around 1:15 who opposed his bill were prevented from meeting with him.
I called his Missoula office to find out what happened, and they referred me to his Washington office. They said they would check and get back to me. A week later I still have not heard back, despite a follow up call.
It appears Daines is not able to listen to Montanans who have different views and important ideas and information pertinent to his WSA bill. His action was contrary to Montana values of openness and fairness.
It is true that the Forest Service did not recommend these areas for Wilderness, but that was over 30 years ago, and almost everything the original decision was based on his changed. The two areas in Ravalli County – Blue Joint and Sapphires – were not recommended because the Forest Service planned to build over 300
miles of logging roads in them. That plan would be in effect if the WSA Bill passes.
As I suggested to Daines last fall, what is needed is a new study to re-evaluate these areas before any action is taken.
Kirk Thompson
Stevensville