Beaverhead-Deerlodge plan moves past gridlock

Letters to the Editor - Missoulian

I wanted to write in and share my support of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership guest opinion that appeared in the February 24 issue of the Missoulian.

I agree that this partnership is a new model of public land management for Montana and I personally am glad these groups are working together to move beyond the gridlock of the past. I agree that for too many years, these groups did not work together and because of that, all of Montana has suffered.

I feel there is more than enough space to meet all national-forest-user’s needs within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge. I have been employed seasonally within the Bitterroot National Forest’s wilderness/trails program since 1998 and have witnessed firsthand all of the various conflicts between motorized and non-motorized users. I truly believe that common ground can be achieved and we all can enjoy our public lands as we see fit. I feel we all need to set aside our assumptions and stereotypes and focus on our needs and how together, they can be met. Again, I know there is plenty of space for everyone. It does sadden me to see the incredible amount of miscommunication and misperceptions of all national-forest-users involved and I am concerned that we are getting further and further away from our needs and goals.

With the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership plan, I am excited to see quiet areas set aside for hunting, camping, fishing and horseback riding. I agree that we will see Montanans working in good-paying jobs in our forests and lumber mills. And we will see landscapes badly in need of restoration finally being brought back to health.

Because of these reasons, I am publicly supporting the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership and I urge others to do the same.

Sean Meister, Hamilton