Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA), a deceptively named environmentalist group, has exposed its true, radical intentions by proposing extreme restrictions for anglers, boaters, and others in Montana.

The proposal, called the “Quiet Waters Initiative,” seeks to restrict motorized watercraft on over 50 Montana waterways. An article in the Independent Record states:

“BHA presents recommendations to drastically restrict waterways without demonstrating any necessity to protect public health, public safety, public welfare, or to protect property and public resources,” [Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks] FWP says in agenda materials.

"The initiative claims safety concerns, yet Montana already has laws against operating a vessel in a reckless or negligent manner, and the initiative’s name implies it is primarily focused on eliminating the noise engines produce, the agency [FWP] says."

"The American Lands Council was founded by rural county commissioners from Utah and Nevada, facing the same challenges as many Washington counties. I met Ken Ivory, former president of the American Lands Council, at a recent dinner where he was the keynote speaker. He’s an attorney, and he talks like an attorney, but he’s no snake oil salesman, as Weismann alleged."

For the last century, my family's home has been nestled at the base of the majestic Wellsville Mountains in Cache County, Utah. Every morning from my bedroom window, the first thing I see are those mountains. I love them, and make my home there in large part because of their beauty and serenity.

Public lands have a long history in the State of Utah, and our residents value their contribution to the quality of life that we all enjoy. Both Utah Democrats and Republicans agree that we need to protect and preserve these treasures for future generations, while also ensuring responsible public access.

The following guest commentary was co-written by Cache County Executive Craig Buttars, Utah State Sen. David P. Hinkins and Utah State Rep. Keven J. Stratton. Hinkins and Stratton currently serve as co-chairs of the Commission for Stewardship of Public Lands, which was created by Utah Legislature and tasked with studying the transfer of public lands from federal ownership to state ownership.

By Tripp Baltz

March 11 — Utah Gov. Gary R. Herbert (R) said he supports efforts to mount a legal challenge seeking to allow the state to manage 30 million acres of federal lands within its boundaries.

Rep. Ken Ivory

A standoff orchestrated by a group of ranchers at a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon has raised awareness about efforts among Western states to force the federal government to turn federal lands over to state control.

By Senator Jennifer Fielder
Jan 27, 2016

When a couple ranchers face the death penalty for accidentally burning 140 acres of public land, but federal bureaucrats can burn thousands of acres of public -- and even private land -- without consequence, something is terribly wrong.

A few weeks ago several hundred citizens marched in protest to the rancher’s conviction in the remote rural town of Burns, Oregon.

Afterwards, about 15 armed protesters occupied vacant office buildings at a nearby wildlife refuge. It was an act of civil disobedience, led by cowboys and backed by well-armed military veterans, that drew worldwide attention.

January 19, 2016 - On August 13, a congressional staffer inspecting the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness Area, straddling the Oregon-Washington State border, had just finished eating lunch when a violent lightning storm suddenly appeared.

Nasty surprises are common in this rugged, forested mountain terrain not far from the Idaho state line.

“There were strikes at least once every minute, big ones, and most of them hit trees,” said the staffer. “I watched the Grizzly Bear [Complex] Fire start.”