Tester wilderness plan riles environmentalists left in dark

Tools

By The Associated Press

Story Published: 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.

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

News, Sports, Weather for Great Falls, Helena, and all of Montana and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Great Falls Weather

Icon
Current Temp 56.0 °F
Fair and Windy
Wind : from the South at 29.9 gusting to 39.1 MPH (26 gusting to 34 KT)
Pressure : 1000.5 mb
Humidity : 11 %
Click here for our video forecast
More Weather

Helena Weather

Icon
Current Temp 47.0 °F
Fair
Wind : East at 10.4 MPH (9 KT)
Pressure : 1006.8 mb
Humidity : 29 %
More Weather

On Demand

Stock Quotes
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

Cast Your Vote

Do you like the new Montana license plates being proposed?

  • Yes
  • No
  • I'm on the fence

AP Video