Missoula County opposes SB 348 - Revise consent for lands purchased by the U.S. for national forest purposes before Senate State Administration this afternoon. This bill would require county commissioner and legislative approval for acquisition of land in Montana by the U.S. Forest Service. In doing so, this would limit private property rights by requiring legislative and local government approval of private land sales to the Forest Service. SB 348 lacks guidance and criteria for review and decision making for land acquisition proposals. This would create delays in land sales caused by legislative and local government review of each transaction which will result in direct financial ramifications for private land owners. Please oppose SB 348.
SB 348 would require county commissioner and legislative approval for acquisition of land in Montana by the U.S. Forest Service. The bill is opposed by a number of Missoula County's partners in the timber and conservation community. The bill: limits private property rights by requiring legislative and local government approval of private land sales to the Forest Service; lacks guidance and criteria for review and decision making for land acquisition proposals; delays land sales caused by legislative and local government review of each transaction which will result in direct financial ramifications for private land owners; and may have substantial legal issues that have not been fully vetted.
Sent the following to Senator Malek:
ReplyDeleteMissoula County opposes SB 348 - Revise consent for lands purchased by the U.S. for national forest purposes before Senate State Administration this afternoon. This bill would require county commissioner and legislative approval for acquisition of land in Montana by the U.S. Forest Service. In doing so, this would limit private property rights by requiring legislative and local government approval of private land sales to the Forest Service. SB 348 lacks guidance and criteria for review and decision making for land acquisition proposals. This would create delays in land sales caused by legislative and local government review of each transaction which will result in direct financial ramifications for private land owners. Please oppose SB 348.
Pat O'Herren on Feb. 19, 2015:
ReplyDeleteSB 348 would require county commissioner and legislative approval for acquisition of land in Montana by the U.S. Forest Service. The bill is opposed by a number of Missoula County's partners in the timber and conservation community. The bill: limits private property rights by requiring legislative and local government approval of private land sales to the Forest Service; lacks guidance and criteria for review and decision making for land acquisition proposals; delays land sales caused by legislative and local government review of each transaction which will result in direct financial ramifications for private land owners; and may have substantial legal issues that have not been fully vetted.