contact Michael Garrity, Executive Director, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, (406) 459-5946

Michael Garrity, Executive Director of the Alliance for the Wild Rockies said, “I think it’s important to point out that the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act or NREPA was developed by, written by, and has always been advocated for by local people. Our elected officials haven’t shown the courage or vision to sponsor this bill, so Montana based advocates have had to look to other national leaders for support. If it were it not for “outsiders” there wouldn’t be a Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park or a Wilderness Act.”

Garrity concluded, “In the sixties we did not leave the civil rights decisions up to the Mississippi Congressional Delegation. Montanans have overwhelmingly stated in the hearings on roadless areas that all roadless areas in Montana need to be protected. Our delegation seems to be listening to the their corporate contributors who own the subsidized logging companies rather than Montana voters when they oppose the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act.

In the sixties we did not leave the civil rights decisions up to the Mississippi Congressional Delegation. These are public lands that the whole country should have a say in how they are managed.”