Big Sky Times

A new report by John Tubbs, a seasoned land manager, reveals that shifting control of federal public lands to the state of Montana could cost the state's taxpayers up to $8 billion. The report, released in conjunction with the Montana Wildlife Federation, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund, and Mountain Mamas, provides an intensive analysis of the fiscal implications of such a move.

The study estimates that state management of lands currently overseen by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management would cost approximately $7.9 billion over the next two decades. This financial burden is expected to be borne by Montana taxpayers, many of whom reside in rural regions with restricted revenue sources.

John Tubbs highlights the gravity of this transition, stating, "Montanans should be aware of the staggering financial and economic toll a federal land transfer would take on taxpayers, our state, and our outdoor way of life." He warns against the potential privatization of public lands, stressing that such impacts would be "unsustainable—and irreversible."

The report warns of the broader repercussions of a federal land transfer, which include restricted access, loss of wildlife habitat, and decreased public oversight. These factors are integral to Montana's $5.4 billion outdoor recreation economy and its public land heritage.

Momentum for transferring federal lands to state control is growing. Federal and state-level initiatives have surfaced, including public land sales proposed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Other legislative efforts at both federal and state levels look to expedite development on these lands or outright sell them.

This ongoing political movement could force Montana into difficult financial decisions if it proceeds without federal support—decisions involving significant tax increases, cuts in public services, or selling off the state's public lands.

The Montana Wildlife Federation, along with its partners Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Mountain Mamas, and the Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund, stand firmly opposed to this potential shift in land management. They advocate for keeping public lands under federal control to ensure wildlife, hunting, and outdoor traditions are accessible to all.

Jeff Lukas, a devoted conservationist and Conservation Director at the Montana Wildlife Federation, emphasizes the value of Montana's natural beauty and the importance of maintaining public access to it. The federation continues to encourage public support to safeguard wildlife and natural habitats for future generations.