Hi-Line native wants prairie preserved

Hi-Line native wants prairie preserved

Editor:

We are fortunate to have Bob Abbey, the national director of the Bureau of Land Management, coming to Malta to hear about Montana's Northern Prairies.

The happiest outdoor hours of my life were spent on the prairie. There is no place as stunningly beautiful, vast, or mysterious, in my eyes. I was raised on the Hi-Line and started first grade in Glasgow.

I've explored the Bitter Creek Wilderness Study Area and think it is the closest thing to wilderness left in the state of Montana. It's still possible to spend hours there without seeing another soul, to just listen to the wind, think and be alone out in the open air. The ability for the average person to accomplish this, what should be a simple feat, without being able to hike for days or owning horses, four wheelers, or motorbikes, is fast disappearing. I can't contemplate a time when it does become impossible, without feeling a deep despair. We must demand our government do something to protect this last un-invaded area. It can be done in a way similar to the Rocky Mountain Heritage Act, which would preserve the Bitter Creek WSA as is, complete with livestock grazing and other current uses that are an integral part of its health. It needs no improvements or changes; it only needs governmental guarantees that it remains unmolested by corporate or other exploitive interests.

So let's let Bob Abbey know we'll do whatever it takes to protect our prairie lands.

Barbara Riggs

Missoula

(Editor's note: The meeting is 7 p.m. Thursday at Malta High School.)

Editor:

We are fortunate to have Bob Abbey, the national director of the Bureau of Land Management, coming to Malta to hear about Montana's Northern Prairies.

The happiest outdoor hours of my life were spent on the prairie. There is no place as stunningly beautiful, vast, or mysterious, in my eyes. I was raised on the Hi-Line and started first grade in Glasgow.

I've explored the Bitter Creek Wilderness Study Area and think it is the closest thing to wilderness left in the state of Montana. It's still possible to spend hours there without seeing another soul, to just listen to the wind, think and be alone out in the open air. The ability for the average person to accomplish this, what should be a simple feat, without being able to hike for days or owning horses, four wheelers, or motorbikes, is fast disappearing. I can't contemplate a time when it does become impossible, without feeling a deep despair. We must demand our government do something to protect this last un-invaded area. It can be done in a way similar to the Rocky Mountain Heritage Act, which would preserve the Bitter Creek WSA as is, complete with livestock grazing and other current uses that are an integral part of its health. It needs no improvements or changes; it only needs governmental guarantees that it remains unmolested by corporate or other exploitive interests.

So let's let Bob Abbey know we'll do whatever it takes to protect our prairie lands.

Barbara Riggs

Missoula

(Editor's note: The meeting is 7 p.m. Thursday at Malta High School.)