Banding Together for a Change, Kerry White, Blue Ribbon Coalition, Feb, 01 2005

Can a snowboarder support responsible cattle grazing? Would a fisherman support an ATV rider? Can a snowmobiler support a horseman? Could everyone support the concept of active forest resource management?

These are the questions I asked during a public rally at the Gallatin County Courthouse on December 11, 2004. Over 400 people from all across Montana gathered to show a united front in the fight to keep Montana’s land open to the people.

Over the last few years, so-called “environmental organizations” have influenced our government to a point that the people are being systematically locked out of their public lands. All forms of access and active management are under attack. The decisions often end up in court with the people ultimately paying the price.

With the snowmobilers fighting one war and the cattlemen fighting another, public land users find themselves alone and divided. Together, all public land users - from mountain bikers to hunters, to fishermen, to ATVers, and snowmobilers - can create a very large, very loud voice.

That’s why I was eager to assist in the formation of an organization called Citizens for Balanced Use (CBU) here in Bozeman Montana. CBU was organized in mid-November to create an influential, organized, untied voice dedicated to keeping Montana’s public lands public. At the rally, many spoke of the need for people to join together and fight for access and management of our forests.
A primary motivating factor in forming CBU was watching the Gallatin National Forest formulate a Travel Plan that nearly eliminated all motorized access to the forest. The Gallatin is about 1.9 million acres, and contains 966.000 acres of designated Wilderness. That’s about half, and for some environmentalists that’s not enough. Now, by formulating a travel plan and implementing restrictions on other use and management the Gallatin National Forest is about to create more “de-facto Wilderness”. I had to take action.

CBU’s first public move came in the form of the December 11th Rally. I can tell you it was a spectacular sight to see all the different types of public land users come together, and support each other in the fight to keep our public lands open to people. Representatives from Senator Burn’s and Senator Baucus’s office were present to observe. Representatives from Congressman Rehberg’s office stood up and gave support to our efforts to unite the people against the proposed closures. State and local representatives also spoke in support of the efforts of CBU.

Of the 400 people attending the rally numerous public land users were present. The groups included timber representatives, hunters, snowmobilers, campers, hikers, motorcycle riders, mountain bikers, skiers, ATV riders, cabin lease holders, and ranchers. All those present made it clear that we can join together in this fight.

The crowd was hushed when Barb, a disabled snowmobiler from West Yellowstone, told the crowd she did not feel handicapped when she got out of her wheelchair and onto her snowmobile to go for a ride. She talked about how the obstacles she faces everyday vanish when she rides. Tears came to her eyes, as well as those in the crowd, as she expressed to the people her ability to visit these places may be taken away if the new Travel Plan is adopted.

CBU fights for balance. All public land users need to support each other in this fight, or believe me, we are all going to lose. There are more than 1,800 of these so-called environmental groups and they come at people from all directions. Whether it is the wolf issue, open space and development rights, fish, grazing cattle, access to public lands or buffalo, the list just goes on and on and on.

CBU members and supporters hope to connect all user groups into one cohesive organization, bringing together snowshoers, cattle grazing lease holders, cabin lease holders, snowmobilers, hunters, horseman, loggers, and others.

The stage is set and the outcome is in the balance. Will we stand up together to keep our public lands open to everyone, or will we continue to fight amongst ourselves and be locked out forever?