Letters to the Editor: Keep our public lands public

Editor:

Our public lands are at risk.! In the United States, we have public access to some of the most splendid lands on earth. If certain political interests — local, state, and national — have their way, you and I will lose our rights to our public lands in Montana, and across our nation.

As is true of all things, the management of our public lands (state and federal) is not perfect. However, we have our public lands today, in all their magnificence, because of the stewardship of our long established government agencies (mainly federal) and their conscientious employees. There is wisdom in the old saying, “If it’s not broken, let’s not try to fix it!” Let’s work with — not against — our government agencies to improve the management of our public lands. Let’s not break a system that has worked for us since 1872, when Yellowstone National Park was dedicated.

You and I, as Montanans, have the privilege — and the right — to visit the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Glacier National Park, and the Missouri Breaks and CMR. But we also have the freedom to visit Yellowstone Park, the canyons of the Southwest, and the forests of the Northwest. Remember, our National Forests, Parks, and Monuments in all 50 states belong to all the people of the United States, including us.

I implore all Montanans who enjoy and love our public lands — whatever your outdoor passion — to work (and vote) to keep our public lands in the safe hands of our current agencies. Keep our public lands truly public.

Mary Frieze

[email protected]

Lewistown