Protection for roadless lands gather support from businesses

After hearing from counties, scientists, and conservation and sportsmens groups, Gov. Brian Schweitzer is getting input from Montana business owners on the need to protect federal roadless lands.

Organized by the Montana Roadless Working Group, more than 350 Montana businesses signed on to letters submitted to the governor Wednesday in support of protections for roughly 6.4 million acres of inventoried roadless lands.

Schweitzer plans to develop a petition with recommendations for roadless-lands management that will be submitted by November to the Bush administration. He initially sought the input of county commissions but since has heard from many other interested parties.

The businesses signing on to a series of letters from the state's major regions include taxidermists, fly shops, outfitters, logging contractors, outdoor gear retailers and others. The group includes 32 businesses from the Flathead Basin, from Whitefish to Arlee.

"In short, people are moving to the Flathead Basin and bringing jobs and investments with them," the Flathead letter states. "They are coming, in no small part, because of the beautiful natural surroundings."

It cites roadless lands in areas that are "particularly important" for protection: the South and Middle forks of the Flathead; the Swan Range; the Whitefish Range, including Thompson-Seton, Tuchuck and Werner Peaks; and the Smoky Range, including Standard Peak and the LeBeau Natural Area.

"Our goal should be balance," the letter continues. "We are seeing many changes here in the Flathead Basin. We believe some places should remain as they always have been."

A task force appointed by the Flathead County Commission to discuss the roadless issue produced majority and minority reports that also have been submitted to the governor. Although conceding that roads aren't needed in most roadless areas, the majority report calls for policies that give the Forest Service long-range flexibility for managing roadless areas, rather than providing them with permanent protections.

The minority report declares that roadless areas are ecological reservoirs for water quality and wildlife that deserve protections. That report states that protections don't necessarily prohibit logging in all roadless areas.

On Monday, the Flathead County commissioners approved a question for the county's June 6 primary election ballot that is intended to measure voter support for protecting or providing management flexibility in roadless areas.

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com.