As a long-time Montana resident and recent transplant to Butte, I have been following the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership for three years. I was pleased to see The Montana Standard's second endorsement of the Partnership with some specifics of the proposal.
The Partnership will protect some of the forest's most important headwaters, preserve wild backcountry, provide timber for mills, reduce the risk of wildfire and beetle infestation, and provide restoration work. This forest is unquestionably large, and there are many complementary uses of it. The Partnership proposal accommodates all these uses precisely because the group has met with so many people and listened to their diverse interests.
Further cooperation by all involved parties is needed as the proposal moves forward. With this cooperation and compromise, I believe we can find a suitable agreement and set aside pristine Montana land for future generations. Please join myself, the many Montanans, and The Montana Standard in supporting the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership as it continues to move forward.