SB 299 MSA Comments to House Natural Resources Committee

SB 299 MSA Comments to House Natural Resources Committee

March 24, 2019

Chairman White and members of the Committee,

The Montana Sportsmen Alliance appreciates the opportunity to provide comment on SB 299. We are in opposition to the bill for the following reasons. In 2013 Governor Bullock established the Greater Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Advisory Council and as a result of this Council, EOs 12-2015 & 21-2015 were issued. The Montana Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Program has developed a scientifically sound program, which has buy-in from private landowners, industry and governmental agencies throughout Montana. The Department of the Interior (DOI) removed some restrictions which provided the framework for current sage grouse management in other states, putting more onus on Montana to do the right thing for the bird. Montana is one of the most important states in the sage grouse range. The act would exempt land uses and activities existing as of 01/01/2016 from some of the stipulations defined in the EOs, having the potential to result in the degradation of sage grouse habitat. As stated in the bill, the purpose of the act is to “balance the competing interests of economic development in Montana and conservation of the sage grouse”. In most instances, short term gain will trump the needs of sage grouse, which will ultimately lead to greater impacts to Montana should the sage grouse be listed. However, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) amendments in other states will be litigated, the results which at best are unknown. Renewed petitions to list the greater sage grouse will be received and analyzed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). When the FWS reviews a petition for listing, they consider five criteria, two of which are relevant to this bill. These include; (1) whether the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range has or is occurring, and (2) the adequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms. If activities were exempted, as identified in Section 1, both sage grouse habitat would potentially be lost and regulatory mechanisms (EOs 12-2015 & 21-2015) compromised and would likely be viewed negatively by the FWS. One possible and real result could be greater restrictions placed on private and state trust lands in Montana. In 2020 the FWS will be conducting a status review of the management actions in place for sage grouse. It is not in the best interest of Montana to take actions which would likely be scrutinized by the FWS during this review. In summary, the risks of SB 299 far exceed any benefits. Thank you.

Montana Sportsmen Alliance Leadership

John Borgreen, Great Falls

Steve Schindler, Glasgow

Jeff Herbert, Helena

Don Thomas, Lewistown

Sam Milodragovich, Butte

Joe Perry, Conrad

JW Westman, Park City

Dale Tribby, Miles City

Robert Wood, Hamilton

Doug Krings, Lewistown