Montana House Bill 676 - This could sell off 1.25M acres of State Trust Lands - that's almost 25%!!! This is not the Homesteading Bill

[DP_PublicLands]

This one seems to be floating under the radar! The main intent of the bill is water rights - but there's a catch. There's a section in this bill that FORCES the sale of school trust lands where the lessee requests it - if they have water rights on the lands and the lands are "isolated". This bill passed through committee today - and at the hearing it was stated that they assume this would affect 1.25 MILLION acres of state trust lands. What is "isolated"? one can only assume. It doesn't really matter - read the title of this thread again - THIS BILL WOULD FORCE THE SALE OF 1.25 MILLION ACRES OF STATE TRUST LAND!

Here's the link to the bill information - its moving along under the radar and needs to be stopped!

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2991?open_tab=sum

 

[R.K.]

That’s a pretty scary bill right there.

 

[Mountain Mule]

Thanks for the heads up. Emails being sent.

 

[seeth07]

if they have water rights on the lands

While Montana may be rich in public mountains, what keeps me in WI is the incredible wealth of water that is 100% public waters for my pleasure and use. I'd love to see that right carried westward and feel for you guys when it comes to BS crap like this using that false water right as justification. Yuck

 

[Ben Lamb]

Glad to see this posted. It's a bad bill for sure.

Light 'em up. The House is going on Transmittal break, but third reading is still on for tomorrow, I believe.

I've been out sick most of this week and didn't even hear about it until late last night. This is the time of the session weird stuff happens.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Confirmed that it's up on 3rd reading tomorrow AM.

Fire up the texts.

 

[Brad W]

Exhibit A in why transferring federal lands to the states would be a catastrophe.

 

[Brad W]

Are you tracking this @Big Fin?

 

[MLaird]

While the loss of state land would be terrible, the loss of funding for schools makes me upset. My kids are in public school and this could directly affect their experience.

I just texted my rep. And I was nice…

 

[stealthy_bowman]

Another republican gem. So surprising.

 

[Forkyfinder]

Wow. Another public resource grift from Galt.

At some point we are dumb for being shocked.

 

[Nameless Range]

Of all the definitions in that bill text, it’s fascinating they didn’t define “ isolated”.

My guess behind the intent of the word is that those are parcels inaccessible to the public.

It’s worth keeping in mind that though a parcel might inaccessible to the public, that doesn’t mean they aren’t inaccessible to the agency generating revenue off of them - generating revenue for the school trust - could be through a contract while the work is being done, could be an administrative easement. Further, there’s plenty of examples of state or federal land being inaccessible at one point in time, and becoming accessible through different acquisitions, easements, etc. Those things can happen through chance as well, and may not be driven by the agency that manages the parcel in question(for example, an easement or acquisition could be acquired by RMEF that subsequently gives access to a locked parcel owned by whoever).

A very stern and absolute “ hold your horses” is needed here.

 

[antlerradar]

Of all the definitions in that bill text, it’s fascinating they didn’t define “ isolated”.

My guess behind the intent of the word is that those are parcels inaccessible to the public.

It’s worth keeping in mind that though a parcel might inaccessible to the public, that doesn’t mean they aren’t inaccessible to the agency generating revenue off of them

Or that they are not hunted. Our place boarders a state section that doesn't have public access. Three other landowners also boarder that section. We all have people hunting it. Wonder if someone leases some state that they don't want the neighbors hunting.

 

[DP_PublicLands]

This bill just passed the House and is headed for the Senate - this is crazy!

 

[Ben Lamb]

Passed the House. On to the Senate. The senate will be out until the 14th.

Will post it when it gets refered to committee.

 

[Southern Elk]

Why isn’t there a call to action from any conservation organizations on this? I haven’t seen anything from RMEF, BHA, etc. We have to kill this bill. @Big Fin what are your thoughts?

 

[DP_PublicLands]

Why isn’t there a call to action from any conservation organizations on this? I haven’t seen anything from RMEF, BHA, etc. We have to kill this bill. @Big Fin what are your thoughts?

We didn’t know about it until the night before it passed the house floor. PLWA is following it and we’ve got most of the other conservation groups on board too to oppose in the senate. It definitely slipped under everyone’s radar.

 

[Southern Elk]

We didn’t know about it until the night before it passed the house floor. PLWA is following it and we’ve got most of the other conservation groups on board too to oppose in the senate. It definitely slipped under everyone’s radar.

Please keep us updated on how we can help. I’m not as well versed as some people on this forum. I’m waiting for some guidance before contacting my senator.

 

[Forkyfinder]

We didn’t know about it until the night before it passed the house floor. PLWA is following it and we’ve got most of the other conservation groups on board too to oppose in the senate. It definitely slipped under everyone’s radar.

Happy to help. Sucks it all made it through the committee already.

 

[Magnum Sherpa]

Email sent to my state senator asking him to vote “NO” and to spread the word to his fellow senators. Thanks for the heads up on this. I can’t wait until these jokers are out of session.