Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing Taints Conservation
The Montana Sportsmen Alliance urges all Montanans to contact their state legislators NOW to encourage them to confirm Christy Clark as Director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. MSA has met with Clark and recognizes her commitment to 1) restoring sound management principles to FWP and 2) basing policy on science with full public input. Clark’s experience as a Montana State Representative and Director of the Montana Department of Agriculture will help bridge gaps between sportsmen and ag producers to benefit all Montanans. FWP, once nationally revered, deserves a leader who will improve morale, empower science, and consider the input of all Montanans. We believe Christy Clark is that principled leader and look forward to working with her.
Unfortunately, Clark’s confirmation is being hindered by lobbyists and legislators motivated by self-serving agendas. MSA has received a policy document from the ironically named “Montana Conservation Society” outlining anti-wildlife and anti-Montana policies that favor their extremely wealthy and non-resident clients. The organization was founded by lobbyists, outfitters, and Montana State Senator Wylie Galt, member of the largest landowning family in the state. The policy positions recommend placing public funds and resources in the pockets of lobbyists and their wealthy clients.
Expanding on the 2023 session’s HB 635, Bulls for Billionaires, the Montana Conservation Society is behind the Dams for Donors effort in appropriations, which would redirect $100 million of public funds to private ponds and reservoirs on large ranches. Their further betrayal of Montana voters — and once-credible conservation organizations like Trout Unlimited — is revealed by their plan to siphon recreational marijuana revenues to these private fisheries.
MCS 2024 Secretary of State Annual Report
Alarmingly, lobbyists for these organizations help craft legislative testimony for at least two Montana agencies, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the Montana Natural Resource Damage Program. Now we learn that the Conservation Society is threatening to hold up Christy Clark’s confirmation if she doesn’t endorse their proposals to put public money in their own pockets. Any organization that receives public funds should operate in a transparent manner. MSA reminds Montanans to carefully examine all so-called “conservation” organizations carefully, including donors and board members. Montana learned a hard lesson as the tentacles of the ultra-elite managed to acquire the Crazy Mountains, with the assistance of “conservation” non-profits. Similarly, the Montana Conservation Society and its allies are proposing legislation to use public money to further privatize land, water, and wildlife that belongs to all of us. Whether using public money to build private lakes for big donors or keeping wildlife to themselves, this is not the Montana any of us want for our future.
Contact your legislators directly and bypass the lobbyists and their back-room deals at www.legmt.gov/participate/ or 406-444-4800.
