Rick Hill Rejects Mainstream Montanans (and Conrad Burns) to Side with Special Interests
Last week Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rick Hill said, “People keep asking, ‘How are we going to protect the [Rocky Mountain] Front?’ The real question should be, ‘How are we going to protect the front from Max Baucus?’” [Fairfield Sun Times, 9/2/11]
Mainstream Montana ranchers, anglers, sportsmen, and small business owners overwhelmingly support stronger protections for Rocky Mountain Front:
"It all boils down to the fact that everybody has to see a chunk of money out of the Front. They just can’t stand seeing it sit there. Not every ounce of land should be producing a dollar. Some of it should be left alone, as it always has been." – Karl Rappold, rancher on the Rocky Mountain Front [High Country News, 6/21/04].
"For this to be a homegrown proposal, as it is, you have to realize we are looking for middle ground. There are some people who would have preferred this entire area all be wilderness, and some would prefer not another acre." -- Brady area farmer and conservationist Joe Perry [Great Falls Tribune, 8/2/11].
"If you took a vote, we'd be in pretty good shape. There's a vocal opposition that raises hell. But a statewide poll showed 69 percent supported our idea." -- Roy Jacobs, Teton County native [Missoulian, 5/31/11].
Former Senator Conrad Burns also supported stronger protections for the Front:
"It's clear this is a critical area for habitat, recreation, agriculture, and just to appreciate the majesty of Montana. This language will prevent any new leases from being approved, and help protect the area even further. I’ve heard from groups across the spectrum, agriculturalists, conservationists, recreation folks, Tribal leaders, community officials, not to mention the everyday Montanans who are concerned about this area. I think this strikes a common-sense balance that benefits all parties involved." – Conrad Burns [Helena IR, 6/28/06].
Even the Bush Administration supported improved protections for the Front:
"President Bush has met with hunters and anglers and told them there are some places that should not be developed in order to protect wildlife. The Rocky Mountain Front is important for wildlife and is of great interest to the hunting community. There is very little existing development in this area and we need to step back and look at the issue on a landscape level to be sure we conserve our resources in a balanced way." -- Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management Rebecca Watson [Department of the Interior Press Release, 10/5/04].
If Rick Hill is breaking with mainstream Montanans and Conrad Burns and George W. Bush, then who is he really standing with? Big Oil; the only ones who stand to benefit if we don't protect the Front.
