Sportsmen Host Symposium On Rocky Mountain Front Issues

Sponsored by Montana Wildlife Federation

Contact: Nathan Birkeland, MWF 406-458-0227 or Craig Sharpe, MWF 406-458-0227
Where: Choteau Country Club, East of Choteau, MT
When: December 6, 2003 from 9 AM to 6:30 PM

Helena, MT: Montana’s largest and oldest conservation organization, the Montana Wildlife Federation, is hosting a symposium on the issues that will affect the future of the Rocky Mountain Front at the Choteau Country
Club on December 6, 2003 from 9 AM to 6:30 PM. The day-long assembly will include lunch for guests and expert panelists that will focus on the Front's value as a unique piece of highly prized, primarily publicly
owned, wildlife habitat. The Press is invited to attend this event and reserve a seat for aerial and ground tours on Friday, December 5, 2003.

The Rocky Mountain Front, the mountain range and transitional uplands connecting the Continental Divide to the eastern grasslands west of Choteau, Montana and extending into Canada, is a fish and wildlife paradise. Wildlife biologists consistently rank the region to be in the top one percent of wildlife habitat in the lower 48 states. The area is home to the largest herd of big horn sheep in North America as well as the largest concentration of elk outside of Yellowstone National Park. Mountain goats climb the high peaks with ease and can be found around crystal clear alpine lakes full of trout. Mule and white tailed deer mingle with wolverines, mountain lions, black bears, grizzly bears and Canadian lynx.

Panels will be comprised of biologists, conservationists, local ranchers, business owners, agency representatives, hunters and anglers. Speakers from Canada, where gas extraction has had a huge impact on wildlife, wildlands and private landowners, will explore the effects they have experienced. Panel discussions will investigate energy development and its effects on local ecosystems and economies; threats to habitat security, travel management planning and the importance of keeping public lands unfragmented; as well as the historical and cultural significance of the Front. National outdoors author and journalist, Ted Kerasote, will present a lunchtime address to the attendees and participate in the discourse.

Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF), consisting of 24 sportsmen’s clubs and 7000+ members, believes that a well-informed public ensures the best chance to safeguard our Front’s natural bounty. Because the Front is important to so many Montanans and Americans as the top one percent of wildlife habitat in the country, the MWF felt it prudent to bring the many attributes of this wildlife paradise to the forefront for discussion. The Rocky Mountain Front has already taken on a national significance with the debate in Congress over the Energy Bill.

Join us in Choteau on December 6, 2003 for a comprehensive exploration into the past, present and future of Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front. The full schedule of events is listed below.

Please call 406-458-0227 for more information. Reservations are needed for Ground and Aerial Tours; reserve your seat by 5PM on Monday, December 1, 2003.

The Rocky Mountain Front - A Public Symposium by Montana Wildlife Federation
December 6, 2003
Choteau Country Club, Choteau, MT

8:30 Registration - $15 for non-panelists, includes lunch.

9:00 Welcome and Agenda Review Moderator - Dave Stalling, MWF President and Trout Unlimited Western Field Coordinator.

"The Rocky Mountain Front and Energy Introductory Remarks"
(What are we talking about, map, national energy issues, etc.)

9:15 Energy Panel: Where have we been, where are we today, where are we going?

Sustainable Obtainable Solutions - Gloria Flora
BLM - Oil & Gas Field Station Manager - Don Judice
U.S. Forest Service Representative -
Blackfeet Tribe Cultural Historian - Joyce Spoonhunter
Front Rancher/Landowner - Dusty Crary

10:30 Break

10:40 Energy Panel: Lessons from Canada

Alberta Wildlife Biologist - Dr. Brian Horejsi
Pincher Creek, Alberta, Outfitter - Mike Judd

11:30 Public - Panelist Q & A

12:00 Luncheon

12:45 LUNCHEON SPEAKER - TED KERASOTE

Ted Kerasote has written for over 50 periodicals, including Audubon, Outside, and is perhaps best known for his regular articles in Sports Afield. He is the author of four books, including BLOODTIES, HEART OF HOME and, forthcoming in March 2004, OUT THERE: DISCONNECTING IN A WIRED AGE."

1:10 Travel Planning - Introductory Remarks by Dave Stalling

1:20 Travel Planning Panel: The future of public recreation along the Rocky Mountain Front

U.S. Forest Service Biologist - Wendy Maples
Choteau Businessman/Sportsperson - Stoney Burk
Front Outfitter - Chuck Blixrud
Back Country Horsewoman - Susan Colvin
Blackfeet Tribe - Natural Resource Mgmt. Instructor/Field Tech - Keith Tatsey

2:40 Public - Panelist - Open Mic Q & A

3:00 Break

3:10 Values of the Rocky Mountain Front - Introductory Remarks by Dave Stalling

3:20 Values of the Rocky Mountain Front Panel: A Diversity of Interests (biological, recreational, social, economic and other)

Economic Interests
Teton County Commission Chairwoman - Mary Sexton
Economist/Sportsperson - Dr. John Duffield
Choteau Businessman/Sportsperson - Roy Jacobs

Wildlife and Public Recreational Values
FWP Wildlife Mgmt Specialist - Mike Madel
Friends of the Rocky Mountain Front - Gene Sentz
Front Rancher - Karl Rappold
Sportsperson/Writer - Ted Kerasote
Blackfeet Tribal Council - Earl Old Person

5:45 Public - Panelist - Open Mic Q & A

6:30 Closing Remarks/Adjourn - Dave Stalling