Billings Gazette - October 8,2003

Gazette Opinion Editorial: Rehberg should show support for monument

The Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument is a choice destination for Americans interested in the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

The Bureau of Land Management is working on the resource management plan for these 357,000 acres of federal lands adjoining the Missouri River in north central Montana. Thousands of people from all over Montana and the United States have contributed to the planning process so far. The goal must be to protect the natural, historic and prehistoric features that make these lands a national treasure. The monument management should foster development of services in nearby communities, rather than on the federal monument lands. The plan must help ensure a quality outdoor experience for the expected influx of monument visitors while protecting the natural resources and discouraging intrusion or other adverse effects on adjoining private lands.

Antiquities Act

Before the monument was established in 2001, much of this same land already was protected under a wild and scenic river designation. Public comments showed overwhelming public support for protecting area around the river, too. President Bill Clinton designated the monument shortly before he left office, using the 1906 Antiquities Act, which presidents have used for nearly a century to create national monuments.

Now Rep. Denny Rehberg is, once again, sponsoring legislation to change monument boundaries. It was an unnecessary piece of legislation last year and it's unnecessary now.

The bill won't change the status of private land because it's not part of the monument now. The monument proclamation makes clear that it only encompasses federal land.

Rehberg's Breaks bill should be considered on its own merits -- not stuck into an omnibus bill containing other legislation. Changing the boundaries of the monument now won't necessarily reduce trespass and conflicts with monument visitors. Those issues must be addressed during the public process of planning monument management and in day-to-day operations.

Boosting Breaks

Rather than fanning flames of discontent, Rehberg should use his office to help his Montana constituents preserve the monument's beauty, its agricultural uses; provide public access and protect private property adjoining the monument. The way to accomplish these goals is by supporting the public BLM planning process and by supporting funding that will allow the BLM to properly manage this national treasure.

This isn't a case of ranchers vs. tourists. The Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument will benefit both locals and visitors while protecting an epic American landscape.