Helena, MT – Montana outdoorsmen are signing up fast, adding their names to a new "Sportsmen's Bill of Rights," which says Montanans have the right to have access to public land for hunting and fishing, and the right to have a say in how energy development takes place on public land. Chris Hunt with Trout Unlimited says they've tried to get federal agencies and Congress to listen to concerns related to the aggressive push to drill for gas and oil on public lands, and they feel they've been ignored.
"Sportsmen aren't willing to sit idly by while short-term energy development decisions compromise the long-term health of the lands and the waters that we depend on."
Hunt says they know it's possible to develop the energy the nation needs while at the same time preserving clean land, air and water, things the nation also needs.
Former U.S. Forest Service chief Mike Dombeck is visiting Montana this week and says he was quick to add his name to the "Bill of Rights."
"Like most Americans, I want good-quality resources maintained for future generations, and great hunting and fishing like I've had."
More information regarding the "Sportsmen's Bill of Rights" is available at
www.sportsmen4responsibleenergy.org.
