We need a realistic plan to permanently protect Gallatin, Madison ranges

Emigrant Peak in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest (Photo by Jacob Frank | National Park Service | Flickr).

It’s no secret that Montana is growing rapidly because people are drawn to what few other places have – wild country, incredible recreation access, and friendly communities. Our backyard mountains – the Madison and Gallatin ranges – feel the pressures of this growth as more people explore deeper into the backcountry on foot, horse, or bike.

More importantly, these mountains provide clean drinking water, important habitat for species from grizzly bears to elk, fresh air, adventure, and solace surrounded by wild nature.

That’s why we joined with other members of the Gallatin Forest Partnership to unveil proposed legislation – The Greater Yellowstone Conservation and Recreation Act – to permanently protect our backyard mountains so they stay wild and healthy as they are today.

The Greater Yellowstone Conservation and Recreation Act is a realistic solution to permanently protect 250,000 acres of public land in the Madison and Gallatin ranges that will safeguard Bozeman’s drinking water and the headwaters of the Gallatin and Yellowstone rivers, conserve wildlife habitat and migration routes, stop further development, and provide balanced access to outdoor recreation.

Since 2016, a coalition of recreationists, business owners, sportsmen, landowners, and conservationists have been advocating for permanent conservation for these ranges. Nearly 2,000 citizens, business owners, and recreation advocates have endorsed the Gallatin Forest Partnership proposal, including the Gallatin and Madison County Commissions and the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce.

While current Forest Service management and the existing Wilderness Study Area give these mountains some protection, they are not permanent. Now is the time to make common-sense choices to ensure our kids and grandkids can enjoy the Montana way of life in the future.

Two-hundred folks turned out for three community events to celebrate or ask questions about the proposed legislation. Members of the Gallatin Forest Partnership were stationed throughout the event wearing nametags that said, “Ask me a question,” inviting our friends and neighbors to chat one on one. Thank you all for joining us at these events and to those who added your voices of support.

Many locals have been working to protect the Gallatin and Madison ranges for decades to ensure wildlife have room to roam and people have a place to escape the busyness of day-to-day life. And many care passionately about our wild backyard, whether they access the area by foot, horse, mountain bike, ski or snowmobile. In fact, nonpartisan research shows that nine in 10 Montanans believe it’s important to permanently protect this corner of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

We believe the Greater Yellowstone Conservation and Recreation Act strikes a realistic balance protecting the diverse recreational uses, wildlife habitat, wilderness, and solitude that come with an undeveloped natural landscape.

The majority of the Hyalite-Porcupine-Buffalo Horn Wilderness Study Area will become permanent wilderness to better protect our beloved wildlife, open space, and drinking water. This wilderness study area was never meant to last forever, and the act is a solution to long-standing confusion around this area.

Beyond the Wilderness designations, other conservation designations will add permanent protections for wildlife habitat and seasonal migrations in this corner of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Existing recreation access will be maintained for all of us whether we are hikers, bikers, horse users, snowmobilers, or skiers. The act allows for timber and recreation pressure to be managed in a way that will keep Bozeman’s drinking water clean.

If you missed the Wild Backyard Bash in your community and want to learn more, please visit us at greateryellowstoneact.org . We look forward to continued conversations in our communities as we build broad-based support for this proposed legislation among a wide range of stakeholders.

Denise Wade is the owner of Big Sky Adventures and Tours, member of the Gallatin Forest Partnership, and passionate proponent of wildlife protection. Henry Glenn is President of the Gallatin Valley Backcountry Horsemen, member of the Gallatin Forest Partnership, and an avid steward of the wilderness he loves. Ian Jones is a co-founder of Southwest Montana Mountain Bike Association, member of the Gallatin Forest Partnership, and advocate for public-lands recreation and conservation.