Montanans Overwhelmingly Support Protections for Southwest Montana Lands, Rivers

More than 80 percent of Montana voters support proposed legislation to permanently protect the Gallatin and Madison mountain ranges, and 70 percent support legislation that would designate sections of the Gallatin and Madison rivers as Wild and Scenic. That’s according to a new survey released by the University of Montana’s Crown of the Continent and Greater Yellowstone Initiative.

“Montanans’ support for protecting the places we all cherish continues to grow,” said Greater Yellowstone Coalition Executive Director Scott Christensen. “The vast majority of voters are so strongly aligned on securing permanent protections for the lands and waters of Southwest Montana that it sends a powerful message to our Congressional leaders to unite and get these bills turned into law.”

The Greater Yellowstone Conservation and Recreation Act is a community-built plan to permanently protect 250,000 acres of the Gallatin and Madison ranges, areas that border some of the fastest-growing parts of Montana. More than 2,500 business owners, outdoor recreation enthusiasts, landowners and conservationists already support the Act.

“The survey released this week shows not only that 80 percent of those surveyed support this legislation to protect the Gallatin and Madison ranges, but also there is growing support for strengthening protections for public lands across the state,” said GYC Montana Conservation Manager Sally Schrank.

Seventy percent of Montana voters surveyed also want to see protections put in place for the Gallatin and Madison rivers. Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-01) has introduced the Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement and Tourism Act, which would protect 100 river miles and key tributaries with Wild and Scenic River designations.

Wild and Scenic designations safeguard rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing state.

“Protecting the Madison and Gallatin Rivers means securing clean drinking water, supporting Montana’s powerful recreation and agriculture economies, and protecting the iconic wildlife of the region,” GYC Conservation Director Charles Drimal said.