August 10, 2018
Leanne Marten
Regional Forester
U.S. Forest Service
USFS Region 1
26 Fort Missoula Road
Missoula, MT 59804
Re: LWCF fiscal year 2020 Lolo Trails Landmark Project
To Leanne Marten,
The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers is writing you to express our organization’s support for the Lolo Trails Landmark project.
Our members include 2,500 Montana hunters, anglers and others who adamantly champion North America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters.
This 14,000+ acre property currently owned by the Weyerhaeuser Company has continued to allow the public access for the recreational uses that the previous owners provided. We are especially interested in that the Lolo Trails Landmark project would secure significant permanent public hunting access on and through this property in a popular hunting district. The access this land provides from Highway 12 to hunting opportunities and nearby USFS lands that would be gained by this project is an exceptional aspect for our members.
Many hikers and hunters have benefited from this access not far from one of Montana’s larger urban centers. Securing public lands north of Highway 12 and preventing its continued development is something our membership highly values. Fires have recently impacted much of the lands in the Lolo Creek Watershed and proactive reclamation and stabilization of these lands would greatly benefit fish and wildlife habitat.
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers has been a vocal and long-standing champion for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. We support the use of FY 2020 Land and Water Conservation Funds for this project and other exceptional projects in this region.
Sincerely,
Hannah Nikonow, Region 2 Board Member
The Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
About Hannah Nikonow
Hannah works as a communications specialist for a bird habitat conservation organization in Missoula. She is eager to follow in the boot tracks of those currently speaking out for the protection of public lands.