Rural Quality of Life - Let's Talk About It
Montanans believe in the value of open lands and strong family farms and ranches as essential to our Montana heritage, the life-blood of our rural towns and an essential part of our economy.
We must provide incentives and opportunities for younger generations to return to the family ranch or farm, advance innovation in agriculture and sustain successful remote jobs in rural Montana made possible by reliable infrastructure.
A number of short-sighted individuals and politicians in Montana continue to ignore the Montanan Constitution guarantee of a clean and healthful environment, (Section 3)
What should be done and who can do it? Read further.
The Ravalli Democratic Committee supports Montana’s Rural Quality of Life
We support solutions such as:
- Conservation easements for open spaces and family agriculture.
- Strengthen subdivision regulations to protect agriculture, fire protection, wildlife and hunting opportunities
- Incentivize infrastructure and opportunities for remote jobs and attracting youth into agriculture
- Keep public lands in public hands
- Recognize the vital importance of the inalienable rights guaranteed to all Montanans by the Montana Constitution for a clean and healthful environment (Section 3).
Montana Republicans have attacked Montana's Rural Quality of Life
Montana Republicans continue to try to destroy our outdoor heritage by weakening water quality standards and working against strongest public land security by advocating the transfer of federal public lands to state ownership.
Broad coalitions of bipartisan groups oppose the transfer of federal public lands to the state because of the real danger of the sale to private corporate and wealthy entities.
Montana Republicans continue to try to dismantle the Montana Constitution’s guarantees of a “clean and healthful environment”.
Greg Gianforte vetoed the 2023 popular bipartisan SB442 that allocated marijuana tax funds for county infrastructure, veterans, agriculture and wildlife. In addition, he denied the legislature their right to override his veto.
Montana Republicans passed and Gianforte signed bills that prohibit local governments from adopting cleaner energy sources and that restrict local controls.(HB 241, SB 208, SB 228)
Greg Gianforte’s administration tried to change elk hunting rules to benefit out of state millionaire trophy hunters.
Greg Gianforte sued Montanans to restrict their public access to the Gallatin River.
Montana’s Rural Quality of Life Needs to be Protected with Fair and Effective Actions
Open spaces contribute greatly to the reasons why people want to live in Ravalli County.
Ravalli County Open Lands Policy needs continued support for the stated purpose of protecting: working farms and ranches; water quality; river corridors, wildlife habitat; scenic views and recreational opportunities.
Some Republican Montana legislators want to restrict the right of landowners to place their property in a conservation easement. (Senate Bill 357)
Policies and legislation are continually needed to ensure the rights and opportunities for Montanans to enjoy our clean water, abundant fish and wildlife and scenic landscapes.
