Rush of development makes it ethical to preserve habitat

To the Editor:

Habitat Montana, a program of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, protects critical wildlife habitat for hunting and other recreation.

With the rush of people from out-of-state buying up Montana land, opportunities for fair chase hunting are diminishing. Too many ranches and farms are being sub-divided to build second homes for the wealthy.

With the ever-increasing expansion of ranchettes and second homes in western Montana, it is critical that we preserve habitat for animals so that we can continue our hunting traditions. If we wait too long, the land will be developed and possibilities for hunting will decrease.

This has already happened in California and other western states are facing problems. Montana still has a chance to preserve its hunting traditions.

Recognizing that a problem exists, legislators in 1987 authorized the FWP to fund conservation projects. Since then the program has preserved 258,000 acres of threatened wildlife habitat and helped 30 ranch families continue to live on their land rather than having to sell it. These private lands are not removed from the tax rolls.

In some cases, FWP has co-operated with other entities. For example 1,200 acres of valuable winter range on Mount Jumbo outside Missoula was protected by FWP and several other groups working together. The elk herd which uses that land is thus protected by this co-operative action.

The program was due to expire in March 2006 unless re-authorized by the Legislature this year. Luckily, the bill to continue the program has passed the House, although both of Lincoln County's representatives voted no.

Eileen Carney