I am heartened by the recent Missoulian editorial ("Three-part harmony," May 11), noting that more and more people who have traditionally been at odds are working together to solve difficult problems.
When interest groups work against each other, it tends to bring out the worst in people. When they work together, it brings out the best. Not only that, people from diverse backgrounds bring a range of perspectives to bear on the difficult and complex problems our society faces. They are therefore often better equipped at coming up with workable and creative solutions.
Examples are the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership. Both projects bring together ranchers, the timber industry, outfitters, snowmobilers, conservationists, and local and county officials to shape management of Montana forests. Instead of each interest group working against one another, these coalitions have come together to create initiatives with broad support.
In the spirit of creating balanced forest management, these groups have put differences aside to actually get something done on the ground. The Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership create jobs, reduce the risk of fire, improve water quality, protect wildlife habitat, preserve our wilderness heritage, and in the case of the Blackfoot Clearwater Project, provide renewable energy.
That kind of collaboration deserves to be rewarded.
As Montanans who are affected every day by the management of our public lands, we need to make sure we have a voice in how they are managed. Tell your neighbors, your elected officials, your community leaders, and our congressional delegation why you support the collaborative efforts of the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project and the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership.
David Rockwell, Dixon