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No trespassing! Keep out! Are these signs that we want to see more of in Montana? Our country’s extreme Republicans are advocating transfer of federal public lands to the states. Sound good? It’s not!

Montana has over 94 million acres, 1/3 of which is federal land including national forests, national parks, some of the last unbroken prairies, wildlife refuges, wild and scenic rivers, wilderness areas, the headwaters for our drinking and irrigation water, much of the state’s most valuable wildlife habitat, and historic resources; they are central to our tourism industry and serve to make our communities attractive places to live and work.

These lands are managed and cared for by the federal government. All Americans pay for road and trail maintenance, fire suppression, capital improvements like campgrounds and visitor centers, and security. Without raising state taxes (and who wants that?), the only way Montana can come up with the $340 million to manage the public lands is to have a yard sale, i.e., put up a “for sale” sign for wealthy Americans, most of whom would not be our neighbors, to purchase these lands.

Let’s keep public lands in public hands. Our children and grandchildren deserve the same Montana adventures that you and I have had in our lifetimes.

Gerry Jennings,

Great Falls

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