Release: Ryan Zinke Releases Plan to Expand Public Access for All Montanans

Press Release

This morning Ryan Zinke announced his plan to increase public access for all Montanans and to improve hunting opportunities in our state.

"In recent years we have seen hundreds of thousands of acres of public land in Montana closed to public access by the federal government," said Zinke. "Not only is poor federal management hurting our economy, it is hurting the habitat we hunt and recreate in, and our ability to access it."

"I will work tirelessly--alongside the sportsmen and women of Montana--to expand opportunities to hunt and fish, open public roads that have closed off public access, conserve fish and wildlife and their habitat, and protect the rights of law abiding citizens to own and possess firearms," continued Zinke.

The plan details Ryan Zinke's top priorities when it comes to increasing access to public lands and hunting opportunities. The plan includes:

Work to Restore Public Road Access: An important component of expanding public access to public lands is ensuring that public roads are actually open for use. Ryan supports focusing on allowing multiple-use on public lands that have been closed off unnecessarily. These restrictions severely limit the ability of Montanans to hunt, fish, and recreate. I will work to restore public road access for Montanans.

Expand Access to Public Lands: Ryan supports the Conservation Easement Incentive Act that improves landowner access to a tax provision that creates incentives for habitat conservation that will enhance hunting and fishing opportunities. Ryan also supports Making Public Lands Public legislation, a bi-partisan measure that dedicates a portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to improve access to previously inaccessible federal lands for hunting, fishing and recreation.

Give Montanans a Voice in Federal Land Management: If elected Ryan would support implementing legislation that would require local government officials to sign off on proposed federal management actions before they are implemented.

Promote Healthy Habitat Through Responsible Land Management: Ryan will work to balance sustainable and responsible development while holding the government accountable for managing our forests. Ryan supports the Restoring Healthy Forest for Healthy Communities Act (HR 1526)

Uphold the 2nd Amendment: Firearms play an important role in not only offering a method of self-protection, but they are essential to the continuation of our hunting heritage. Ryan supports Montana's existing gun laws and the rights of Montanans to own firearms. Montana should decide what type of ammunition and guns are appropriate--not Washington, D.C. Ryan Zinke will oppose any legislation that would restrict state rights to make decisions on hunting, recreation, or protection.

Combat the Abuse of Federal Laws: Laws such as the Endangered Species Act (Wolves) and the Toxic Substances Control Act (lead ammo and tackle) were well intended but are being misused by the federal government to the detriment of Montana sportsmen and women. Ryan supports traditional ammunition and will fight to prevent the abuse of these laws that may have unintended negative consequences on hunting and fishing as well as the firearms, ammunition, and tackle industries.Sportsmen and women across Montana have experienced decreased game numbers as a result of increased predation from our state's out of control population of wolves. Even today, years after the Endangered Species Act listed wolves as a protected species, Montanans are still dealing with the repercussions. Ryan believes that the state should have more input into these critical decisions that impact hunting opportunities, farmers and ranchers, and the Montana economy.

Join the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus:If Ryan is elected he has will immediately join the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus. As part of the Sportsmen's Caucus, Ryan will work with sportsmen's organizations, hunters, anglers and landowners to receive the input and guidance needed to inform policy positions, actions and decisions. Ryan will focus on protecting Montana's hunting heritage, increase public access to public lands, and advocate for sustainable harvest and increased access to salvage timber so that we can keep our forests, economy, and hunting habitat healthy.

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