May 29, 1998  Letter in the Missoulian  written by C.L. Kelly: Grizzly plan: ALL ABOUT POWER!

Grizzly plan: ALL ABOUT POWER!

It's not about grizzly bears. It never has been. It's about power and money and domain. It's about states' rights, reserved powers, and the very fabric of our society.

Last week, the new Bitterroot Forest supervisor denied the use of government (public) premises to Concerned About Grizzlies (CAG) to hold their board of directors meeting - a meeting room used by others. The stated reason: CAG is too "controversial." His spokesperson told the news media that their insurance against property damage, etc., might be jeopardized if these "controversial" persons were permitted on those public premises.

My gracious! Who are these dangerous people on CAG's Board of Directors?

• Two Ravalli County Commissioners,
• A Montana state Senator,
• A retired University of Montana forestry professor,
• Two forestry P'h.D.'s,
• Several retired foresters,
• Retired school teachers,
• A local Realtor,
• Local ranchers,
• Irrigators and outfitters,
• A couple of grandmothers.

Who are CAG's member organizations?

1. Back Country Horsemen of Montana
2. Bitterroot Back Country Horsemen
3. Bitterroot Chapter Idaho Outfitters
4. Bitterroot Cowbells
5. Bitterroot Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club
6. Bitterroot Saddletramps
7. Bitterrot Valley Chamber of Commerce
8. Bitterroot Stockgrowers,
9. The Cattlemen's Association,
10. Darby Civic Group
11. Grassroots for Multiple Use
12. Lost Trail Hot Springs Resort
13. Lost Trail Ski Area
14. Mill Creek Irrigation District
15. Montana Stockgrowers Association
16. Montana Woolgrowers,
17. National Cattleman's Association
18. Ravalli County Commissioners
19. Ravalli County Farm Bureau
20. Sears Lake Irrigation District
21. South Valley Businessman's Association
22. Western Montana Chapter of WIFE
23. Western Montana Horse Council

Dangerous? No, this is federal arrogance toward a local community and their elected representatives who do not agree with that federal agency on a particular issue. Regardless of one's view on grizzly introduction, we must all be concerned about government impudence and abuse of authority. The new Bitterroot National Forest supervisor owes a public apology to CAG's Board of Directors and to its member organization. I hope the people of this community, for their own sake, will demand that he do so, or return from whence he came.

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