From the MWA:
No, we're not members, but we do get their emails.
Here's the text from their email on Thursday, Feb 10th:
A JOINT RESOLUTION IN THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE WOULD URGE CONGRESS TO STOP THE FOREST SERVICE AND BLM FROM CLOSING ROADS ON PUBLIC LANDS.
DON'T LET IT HAPPEN.
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Dear Wilderness Supporter:
Representative Dennis Himmelberger (R) Billings has drafted a joint resolution, HJ 18, that would recommend that Congress pass legislation to stop the U.S. Forest Service and the BLM from closing roads on federal lands. For a full text of HJ 18 go to:
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/billhtml/HJ0018.htm
The House Natural Resources Committee of the Montana Legislature will hear the bill on Friday February 11th at 3 PM in Room 152 of the Capitol Building in Helena.
What can you do?
The Off-Road Vehicle industry is planning a big turnout for this hearing. Conservationists and supporters of Wilderness need to be there in equal force! Montana's public lands need YOU to come to the hearing, or contact the committee members by phone or by email at the Legislative Comment web page.
Urge the members of the Natural Resource Committee to Vote NO! on HJ 18.
Call and leave a message at (406) 444-4800
Send an email to the members through the Legislative comment page:
http://leg.state.mt.us/css/sessions/59th/legwebmessage.asp
Jim Peterson (R) Buffalo Chairman
Jack Ross (R) Absarokee
Chris Harris (D) Bozeman
Norma Bixby (D) Lame Deer
Dee Brown (R) Hungry Horse
Paul Clark (D) Trout Creek
Sue Dickenson (D) Great Falls
George Everett (R) Kalispell
Gail Gutsche (D) Missoula
Ralph Heinert (R) Libby
Larry Jent (D) Bozeman
Llew Jones (R) Conrad
Mike Jopek (D) Whitefish
Carol Lambert (R) Broadus
Ricj Maedje (R) Fortine
Veronica Small-Eastman (D) Lodge Grass
Dave Wanzenreid (D) Missoula
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If you can't make the hearing, contact the legislators and let them know that you oppose HJ 18. The hearing is Friday of this week, and they will likely vote on the resolution Monday or Wednesday of next week, so contacts later this week will be important.
If you can only send nine emails, start with the Democratic members of the Committee.
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Tell the Committee members that:
* Rehabilitating and closing roads on federal lands is critical to protecting Montana's big game and 5-week elk season.
* Road rehabilitation is vital to our economy - without road rehabilitation Montana's water quality would suffer, damaging fisheries and impairing other uses.
* Road closures are about protecting other values, not about limiting access - being able to drive everywhere limits the options for other users of public lands.
ACT NOW!
Keep it Wild,
The Montana Wilderness Association
Need more information? Contact John Gatchell at jgatchell@wildmontana.org