Business for Montana’s Outdoors; News & Updates

There continue to be great strides achieved by Business for Montana’s Outdoors, some of which many of you have been involved with. With new priorities on the radar, and exciting partnerships forming with other advocacy organizations around the state, I wanted to reach out with a few highlights to share, as we head into some exciting endeavors.

Our membership is up to 129, including for profit businesses, non-profit organizations, university departments, conservation coalitions, and economic interest groups. It’s an impressive number, but one that still has great potential to grow and gain more strength, and diversity. Remember that your referrals for additional business members is always welcomed, and I am happy to reach out in person to communicate with folks that you feel should be involved, or at the table for the variety of initiatives that we work on.

In addition to ongoing outreach and communication with members, partners, and decision makers, here are some of the initiatives that BFMO has been engaged with, and some of the priorities we will continue to work on:

Yellowstone Gateway Business Coalition: Business for Montana’s Outdoors has been partnering with this newly formed coalition of nearly 200 businesses throughout Park County and around our gateway communities, to oppose the proposed gold mining operations by Crevice Mining Company.The message is that mining has a place in Montana, but it is not at the doorstep of Yellowstone. We were instrumental in helping with their launch event in Livingston, as well as coordinating media and publicity, and creating additional business interest for the group. Feel free to visit the Coalition website http://www.yellowstone-gateway.com/ , and if you haven’t seen any of the press, here are a few articles to note:

Coalition launch event:
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/economy/more-than-businesses-against-two-paradise-valley-mines/article_0e734267-2bf9-5a99-bfe7-e92c3106e190.html

DEQ response to mine application:
http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com/news/environment/company-asked-to-resubmit-mining-application-on-yellowstone-border/article_67a85cf1-343d-57f0-b51a-08cdd7a642a8.html#utm_source=bozemandailychronicle.com&utm_campaign=morning_headlines&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline

Montanans for Healthy Rivers: We have been approached by this group, who is working diligently on wild and scenic designations for some of Montana’s most treasured waterways. We have supported them loosely in their past work, and will now engage more significantly by endorsing their work on behalf of protecting our rivers in Montana. They would like very much to gain additional, individual business support from folks involved with BFMO, so if you are interested, you can find more information on the Montanans for Healthy Rivers website http://www.healthyriversmt.org/ . I have also attached more information on specifics about their work, and the proposed rivers they are working on designation for. There is a good chance I will be making a trip to DC in early June to participate in conversation with our delegation about this and other public lands priorities.

Blackfoot-Clearwater Stewardship Project: Another potential collaborative project, this work is primarily being done by the Montana Wilderness Association, with a great interest in our support, and endorsement. The role of BFMO in this legislative project has yet to be determined, though we feel strongly that the business voice has an appropriate place in this dialogue. Similar to our past support in policy pieces like the Rocky Mountain Front and Heritage Act and Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act (of which this is a previous piece), BFMO’s role will focus on the value of our natural assets to our economies in this region of the state, and lending a business perspective. More information can be found on their website http://www.blackfootclearwater.org/about .

Additional efforts include keeping our pulse on the discussion of the transfer of public lands, forest management, and timber reform, all of which seem to be bundled into a variety of messaging points from our contacts in DC, and which are keeping our delegates in the headlines.

Our understanding is that there will also be a public lands event headlined by Governor Bullock in June; when more information is available on that event, I will be sure to pass along the details, as BFMO will certainly play a role, at least in attending.

If you have any questions, or comments, please always feel free to reach out with an email or phone call. I am happy to discuss these or other potential priorities with any and all of you. I am continually grateful for all of your support and participation in opportunities that have presented themselves, and will continue to reach out with ways in which we can keep our strong business voice and the perspective of our public lands’ value alive, and well.

Many Thanks,

Marne

Marne Hayes

Business for Montana’s Outdoors

Business for Montana’s Outdoors

406.570.7938

Preserving Our Outdoor Assets for Tomorrow’s Entrepeneurs