Havre Daily News, Oct. 30, 2001
Our View
That's the Breaks, Governor Martz
Havre Daily News Editors
Gov. Judy Martz's request that Congress take up the issue of the Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument and remove the small amount of private land from within its boundaries is misguided.
Martz says she's trying to reach a compromise between the wants of a few property owners whose land falls within the monument boundaries and the majority of the people who have expressed an opinion on this subject and want the boundaries to remain as they are.
In an op-ed piece by Martz printed on this page, she makes several arguments. Each lacks logic.
She says the Bush administration, which originally brought up the issue of reconsidering the boundaries set by President Clinton before he left office early this year, doesn't have time to deal with such issues now, so she's asking Congress to take it up. Excuse us: but isn't Congress part of the same government that is now involved in an international war against terrorism. It seems that the wants of a few misinformed property owners in the Breaks would fall below Congress' radar screen as well.
Martz says she respects the views of the property owners, who, she said, should not be forced to have their land included in the boundaries. "I respect and appreciate their views," she writes. What Martz doesn't tell you is that their views are based on a misguided idea that they will lose some rights to use their land. That's not so. The designation signed by President Clinton didn't make their land a part of the monument. It only means that if they ever sell their land to the federal government, it would automatically become a part of the monument and not need a presidential declaration or act of Congress to be included. These property owners are essentially arguing that they don't trust the federal government. That's the same government that is sending our men and women into combat in foreign lands. Is that a view Martz wants to publicly support?
Martz also says, "Additionally, I will work closely with our congressional delegation to make sure that all private property rights are protected, and that those rights are unimpeded by the federal government." In order to do that, Martz will have to do absolutely . . . nothing. Those private property rights are already protected and unimpeded.
Martz has already manipulated this issue enough to try to enhance her political reputation. She needs to put this issue down and let the country concentrate on what really matters.
Guest column: Governor vows best for the Breaks
By Gov. Judy Martz
On Jan. 17, former President Bill Clinton delivered to Montana one of the most controversial federal land management policy decisions to ever hit this state.
The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument encompassed a total land area of close to half a million acres. Included within the boundaries were nearly 80,000 acres of private property and 40,000 acres of state land. About 377,000 acres of federal land were also included in this designation.
Information for Norton
The decision split the state, with supporters heralding it as a gift of preservation and opponents blasting it as a federal land grab. Despite the controversy leading up to the designation, Bruce Babbitt and Bill Clinton decided against allowing more time for opposing parties to negotiate a compromise.
Secretary of Interior Gale Norton, vowing not to follow the top-down management style of the previous administration, allowed for additional input for 22 last-minute monument designations across the nation. I thank Secretary Norton for allowing us a chance to visit the issue. Her decision shows respect for those most impacted by decisions that will affect lives and livelihoods.
I took Secretary Norton's letter for additional input to heart and appointed a group of elected local officials. The officials selected came from Democrat, Republican and Independent backgrounds. Finding elected local officials that support Clinton's monument designation, regardless of political party, proved nearly impossible.
The task force, the secretary of interior and I have all focused on making something right out of something very prickly.
Sept. 11 changed everything. Today we live in a new era, with different priorities and different threats. We are a nation at war. The Bush Administration has been forced to channel its energies and focus in ways we have not seen in our adult lifetimes. Every member of the president's Cabinet has been preparing the nation for war, including the Department of Interior. With interior's responsibilities including the Statue of Liberty and Hoover Dam, it is no wonder movement on the "Breaks" issue has come to a standstill at the federal level.
With that in mind, I am determined to make the best out of a difficult situation. We must move forward with regard to the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. However, we cannot - and will not - expect the Bush Administration to rearrange priorities for our sake. Our nation is at risk, and its focus should remain on protecting our freedoms.
That is why I am instead asking our congressional delegation to move forward with legislation to allow private property included in the monument to be excluded from the boundaries. Private property owners have strongly objected to lands they own being included within the boundaries, and these individuals should not be forced to have their land included within a boundary that they oppose. I respect and appreciate their views.
Public lands unaffected
This proposal will not affect public lands. It will not reduce the size of the monument. The 377,346 acres of federal land within the monument will remain unchanged. In my mind, it is as close as we can get to satisfy all sides.
Additionally, I will work closely with our congressional delegation to make sure that all private property rights are protected, and that those rights are unimpeded by the federal government. Furthermore, as governor, I will fight to make sure uses such as grazing, hunting, fishing and other traditional uses will remain in place for future generations. I will also work closely with our delegation and with those who will develop the management plan for the Breaks to ensure that the monument is managed in a way that works for those who live, work and play in the Breaks.
It is time to move forward. The monument is here to stay. I give my word to all Montanans that I will work tirelessly to ensure the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument works best for the people of our state.
