Lewistown News-Argus - September 12, 2001
Open letter from Lewistown City Commisioner Marv Hoffer to the governor: How do you want to go down in history?

Greetings Gov. Martz,

I strongly support the Missouri River Breaks National Monument as President Clinton designated. In short, absolutely no change. Why?

1) The American democratic government process is how America functions best. The majority of Americans and Montanans, our friends and neighbors, invested thousands of hours in evaluating and debating the merits of the Breaks National Monument over a two and one-half year period. We didn't make a political decision. The democratic process worked, again.

2) The Missouri Breaks National Monument is a reality. Progressive and intelligent environmental stewardship, and visionary government will assure that the Breaks National Monument as designated by President Bill Clinton will be preserved for generations of enjoyment. This is what America and Montana want now, and for the future.

3) A vital, but secondary, benefit is significant potential economic gain from various non-consumptive activities. Tourism, hunting, fishing and non-consumptive recreation, floating down the river, hiking the raw Breaks environment, refreshing mind and spirit in this wild place.

This "goose" will lay golden eggs in perpetuity for all of us, if greed, misguided politics and egotism are excluded from this critically vital public land and resources matter.

The Breaks National Monument is an exceptional and natural gift to all citizens of Montana and America. We have this exceptional and timely responsibility to apply diligent environmental stewardship to it while we gain a continuous and modest financial benefit as our fellow Americans travel through and enjoy this region.

The Breaks Monument is a Montana, a regional, a national jewel in our crown. We can't afford to denigrate it with repugnant politics.

4) The Breaks Monument belongs to every American, whether they ever see it, walk on it, or not. Each of us is given the responsibility to effect positive environmental stewardship and preserve this national heritage for those who will enjoy it in perpetuity.

You, and your administration, can go down in Montana history as the group that attempted to circumvent the legal, rational and democratic American government processes to degrade and\or destroy the Breaks National Monument; or, as I hope, you can add your positive support to its current designation and help assure that the Missouri River Breaks National Monument as designated will be preserved for generations to enjoy.

It would be refreshing to read and hear that Judy Martz, Montana governor, listened closely to all Montana citizens, and actively joined in full support of the Missouri River Breaks National Monument as designated by President Bill Clinton. Let us all preserve it as designated, enjoy it together and move on from here.

Sincerely,

Marv Hoffer, Lewistown