April 5th 2010 Honorable Senator 511 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510

Honorable Senator 204 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510

Honorable Rep. Denny Rehberg 516 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Baucus, Senator Tester, and Representative Rehberg:

Montana is home to an exceptional outdoor legacy. We have been blessed with the longest big game seasons, the grandest views, and more soul-cleansing fishing opportunities than are humanly possible to experience in a lifetime.

These natural riches define us as Montanans and lend strength to our spirit. But as surely as we benefit from the land we have a responsibility to safeguard and uphold our wild legacy for those who are next-in-line. Wilderness designation is the gold-standard for passing these lands along intact.

In that spirit, we sincerely regret that new wilderness designations for were not included in the Public Lands Omnibus bill of 2009 signed into law one year ago last week which protected special places across the country. On the eve of this anniversary, we call on you to ensure Montana’s wilderness contribution to any upcoming public lands omnibus bill is both robust and worthy of our state.

As you know, top lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have expressed interest in bundling together another public lands omnibus bill for possible passage later this year. While S-1470 is being debated in the Senate there is still time to broaden Montana’s wilderness contribution by considering additional opportunities that protect our clean mountain streams and our favorite places to hunt, fish, and hike.

From the sportsman’s paradise of the Rocky Mountain Front to the rugged Scotchman Peaks and Great Burn, there are many areas of unsurpassed scenic beauty, sources of clean water, and vital public access that are just as deserving of protection as they were 45 years ago. If properly protected, these places will always be havens for our grandchildren to experience the vanilla scent of a ponderosa pine or the haunting bugle of bull elk during the rut. Throughout our history, Montanans have stood up again and again to protect their outdoor heritage through active management, protection for roadless areas, and new wilderness areas. We respectfully urge you to take a serious look at the most deserving public lands in Montana and ensure our conservation contributions to any coming omnibus bill are both robust and diverse.

Respectfully Yours,

Dale Bosworth Pat Williams Missoula Missoula Retired Chief of the Forest Service Former Montana Congressman

Jim Posewitz Randy Gray Helena Great Falls Founder of Orion - The Hunter’s Institute Former Mayor of Great Falls

Rick Graetz Al Luebeck Missoula Butte

U of M Professor of Geography Sportsman

Gayle Joslin Smoke Elser Missoula Helena Retired State Biologist Outfitter Guide

Dale Harris Gerry Jennings Missoula Great Falls Businessman Former President Montana Wilderness Association

John Mumma John Chepulis Missoula Columbus Retired Regional Forester USFS Board Chair of Montana Backcountry Horsemen

Pam Sheldon Orville Daniels Helena Missoula Montana Association of Churches Retired Forest Supervisor USFS

Cc: Governor Brian Schweitzer