Take Action
to Protect the Missouri Breaks

FRIENDS OF THE MISSOURI BREAKS MANAGEMENT POSITION

A Natural Opportunity: Develop a management plan for the Monument that ensures future generations of Montanans are able to enjoy this historic landscape.

Montanans consistently have supported protecting the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument because of the economic, conservation, and recreational values it presents.

Many Montanans belong to the Friends of the Breaks Monument – a coalition of businesspeople, hunters, anglers, river users, farmers, ranchers and recreationists advocating visionary, conservation-based stewardship for the Monument.  We recognize the Monument’s potential as an economic, recreational, and cultural asset to Montana.  And we’re urging the BLM to develop a management plan for the Monument that ensures future generations of Montanans are able to enjoy this historic landscape.

Montanans have a long, impressive history of valuing and protecting the land that makes up the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.  The Breaks are a natural opportunity.  The region is one of a kind in Montana and the United States.  Together we can help shape a plan for Monument so that it reaches its full potential as an as economic, recreational, and cultural asset for all Montanans. 

A smart, common-sense management plan will uphold the promise of the Monument why it was first created:

• To protect some of the best hunting in Montana.
• For great opportunities to see abundant wildlife.
• For access to unspoiled country in the high Great Plains.
• For families to witness the history and culture of the American West.
• As an economic resource and opportunity for future generations of Montanans.

We believe the Monument can stimulate local economies by attracting visitors to this designated, protected and nationally recognized icon of our Western heritage. The Monument contains premier big horn sheep, trophy elk, and abundant hunting and recreation opportunities.  If managed properly, the Monument will protect these values forever and provide the foundation upon which we can build strong, stable communities and vibrant local economies for communities like Ft. Benton, Lewistown, Havre or Great Falls.

The Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument is strongly urging the BLM to adopt the following principles for the final management plan:

1. Management of the Monument must preserve, protect and restore its wild, undeveloped character.


2. The Monument’s transportation system must be based on scientific analysis to ensure that it will protect natural, historical and biological values.


3. Protecting and restoring wildlife habitat must be the first priority in the management of Monument range lands.


4. Travel in the Wild and Scenic River corridor must be managed to emphasize a natural experience that safeguards the remote character and traditional hunting experience offered by the Monument.


5. Protecting the Monument’s core wildlands and inventorying additional lands for special protection must be paramount.


6. Management decisions must be backed with monitoring and enforcement resources and a commitment to utilize them.

Follow these links to important addresses for letters-to-the-editor and letters to elected officials:
Montana Newspapers
Montana Congressional Delegation
Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne
Governor Brian Schweitzer

Voice Your Opinion Now! Write a Letter to the Editor

Please write a letter to the editor of one or more of the newspapers serving the Monument area. Those addresses are provided below.

WRITE YOUR LETTER TODAY!

GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE
205 River Drive South, Great Falls, MT 59405
406-791-1444
800-438-6600
http://www.greatfallstribune.com/customerservice/contactus.html

BILLINGS GAZETTE
P.O. Box 36300, Billings, MT 59107
406-657-1200
800-543-2505
Fax: (406) 657-1208
E-mail: speakup@billingsgazette.com

BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE
PO Box 1190, Bozeman, MT 59771
406-587-4491
Fax: 406-587-7995
Managing Editor: Bill Wilke, 582-2655
City Editor: Ray Ring, 582-2638
E-mail: citydeskr@gomontana.com

THE MISSOULIAN
Missoulian Letters, P.O. Box 8029, Missoula, MT 59807
406-523-5200
Fax: 406-523-5294
E-mail: opinion@missoulian.com

HELENA INDEPENDENT RECORD
P.O. Box 4249, Helena, MT 59604
406-447-4000
Fax: 406-447-4052
E-mail: irstaff@helenair.com

THE HAVRE DAILY NEWS
119 Second Street, Havre, Montana 59501
406-265-6795
1-800-99DAILY
Fax: 406-265-6798
E-mail: HDN@havredailynews.com

LEWISTOWN NEWS-ARGUS
P.O. Box 900, Lewistown, MT 59457
406-538-3401
800-879-5627
Fax: 406-538-3405
E-mail: newsargus@lewistownnews.com

Facts about the Monument:

• This unique landscape represents a small, but significant, piece of our Western heritage that is set aside for future generations.
• It preserves ecological, cultural, and historic values.
• It ensures that family ranches remain a part of the landscape through the protection of grazing and private property rights.
• It supports and stimulates our local community economies.
• It maintains our traditional hunting, fishing, and recreational opportunities.

Montana's Congressional Delegation

Congressman Dennis Rehberg
516 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
E-mail Congressman Rehberg

Senator Jon Tester
204 Russell Senate Office Building
1st and C Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20510-2603
E-mail Senator Tester

Senator Max Baucus
511 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
E-mail Senator Baucus

Department of the Interior

The Honorable Dirk Kempthorne
Secretary of the Interior
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240

For equal measure, here's the Governor's address:

Gov. Brian Schweitzer
Montana State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
406-444-3111
Fax: (406) 444-5529

Email: governor@state.mt.us

Become a Friend of the Monument -- Join Us!

In addition to commenting on the draft RMP, you can:

• Join the activist network of the Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument


• Write letters to the editor and letters to your elected officials (see addresses below).


• Talk to your neighbors, friends, and family about the Monument's benefit to Montana and the nation
• Visit the Breaks and the river this year and experience this national treasure for yourself!

Please send us an e-mail or write to be placed on our mailing list. Tell us if you want to work on the issues or just want to support our efforts. If you want to talk to someone in the organization, let us know, and we'll be in touch.

The Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument is a nonprofit grassroots organization devoted to the lasting protection and preservation of our Monument. We accept donations in any amount. Write to the address below:

FRIENDS OF THE MISSOURI BREAKS MONUMENT
224 W. Main, Suite 202
Lewistown, MT 59457
(406) 538-8506

EMAIL THE FRIENDS

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