Nemont
Well-known member
well having dealt with the Schweitzer administration on easements and purchase of lands all I can say the process is way too profitable for friends of Brian. In addition it matters who has lands that are to be protected, if for instance a rancher supported a Republican in the past, regardless of the ability to secure access to over 25,000 acres of deeded lands and 80,000 acres various parcels of public lands then you are not a friend of Brian's and you get veto at the State land board even though the local FWP office vested years in working out the deal. Now that land is withdrawn from the Block Management Program and orange paint abounds.
The point is that the process is over political and friends of Brian get some sweetheart deals. Like the Spotted Dog Property, Rock Creek Cattle Co. buys the Spotted Dog for $9 million and the State of Montana turns around the next day and write Rock Creek Cattle Co a check for $15.2 million. It is good to be a friend of Brian.
Yet the state, ie Gov. Schweitzer determined a $5 million easement guaranteeing access was over priced for 4 times the acreage of Spotted Dog.
I have zero issue with the State owning land but the process is far too political and is used too often to give politcal pay offs to the chosen.
I hate the idea of RFW. Elk numbers should be managed by carrying capacity and what the biologist said and not by the legislature.
Nemont
The point is that the process is over political and friends of Brian get some sweetheart deals. Like the Spotted Dog Property, Rock Creek Cattle Co. buys the Spotted Dog for $9 million and the State of Montana turns around the next day and write Rock Creek Cattle Co a check for $15.2 million. It is good to be a friend of Brian.
Yet the state, ie Gov. Schweitzer determined a $5 million easement guaranteeing access was over priced for 4 times the acreage of Spotted Dog.
I have zero issue with the State owning land but the process is far too political and is used too often to give politcal pay offs to the chosen.
I hate the idea of RFW. Elk numbers should be managed by carrying capacity and what the biologist said and not by the legislature.
Nemont