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Tester wilderness plan riles environmentalists left in dark

By The Associated Press

Story Created: Jul 8, 2009 at 2:32 PM MST

Story Updated: Jul 8, 2009 at 2:32 PM MST

HELENA - U.S. Sen. Jon Tester's legislative plans for new Montana wilderness are under attack by some environmentalists and past political supporters who say it as the product of a secretive process open only to well-connected insiders.

The critics, who want to see more wilderness themselves, argue the issue is so important to those on all sides of the debate that Tester's office should disclose what exactly is on the table.

Matthew Koehler with the Missoula-based WildWest Institute says the senator is trying to solve the issue by excluding anyone who disagrees with insiders. The senator's office has said it is looking at wilderness plans in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge area, the Seeley Lake area and in northwestern Montana.

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