
U.S. Department of the InteriorOffice of the Secretary For Immediate Release: April 7, 2000 Contact: John Wright 202/208-6416 Babbitt Responds to Montana RAC, Plans Return Visit to the Upper Missouri River and Breaks Region Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt today released his response to the Central Montana Resource Advisory Council's (RAC) report on the Upper Missouri River and Breaks area. Babbitt thanked the RAC for their extremely useful report and gratefully commended them for their hard work. In August 1999, Babbitt asked the RAC to hold public meetings and form a series of recommendations regarding the future management of the region. The RAC held five public meetings, allowing for substantial public comment, and based its report on the input it received. Of special note to the Secretary was the RAC's clear recognition of the wild character of the Missouri Breaks region managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Babbitt also agreed with the RAC that livestock grazing is an important historical use of the region and that it should continue, consistent with the laws and regulations governing grazing on all public land. Private property rights, including appropriate access, will not be diminished, and hunting and fishing should continue to be managed by the State of Montana. Secretary Babbitt concurred with many of the recommendations made by the RAC. In a letter to the RAC Babbitt noted that, "we may need to explore additional alternatives or gather more facts before attempting to settle upon the best means of assuring future protection for those values we all agree are worth passing on to our children and grandchildren." During a visit to the region last January, Babbitt promised to visit the area again in the spring. Following through on that commitment, Babbitt plans to return to Montana on May 2 and 3, 2000, to discuss the management of the area further and explore the impacts on local communities. Babbitt will meet with groups, including a diverse array of perspectives on the area's management, in Fort Benton and Lewistown, and hold a meeting open to the public at large in Great Falls. All meetings will be open to the press, in accordance with Montana open meeting laws. - DOI -
U.S. Department of the Interior |