Pressure to develop state lands for commercial uses is on the rise. Developers see the economic gains to be made in building new subdivisions or resorts. But along with this sprawl comes the loss of open space and wildlife habitat, road congestion, and increased air and water pollution.

"Takings" Initiative

State and local governments could have to pay up to $1.2 billion dollars over the next six years if United Property Owners of Montana manages to qualify and pass its proposed statewide ballot initiative. The initiative would require governments to pay property owners any time their property value decreases by 25%, even if a government regulation is not solely responsible for that decrease in value.  MEIC is strongly opposing the measure, intended to appear on the November 2010 ballot.

Otter Creek Coal Tracts

Montana received these properties as part of the deal, negotiated by federal government, that ended attempts to develop the New World gold mine on the northern border of Yellowstone National Park.  The Otter Creek coal tracts are interspersed with private property owned by Great Northern Properties, the largest owner of coal reserves in Montana.  It would be impossible for either entity to develop their reserves without the cooperation of the other.  The State Land Board voted on December 21st, 2009 to lease the tracts for mining.

Habitat Conservation Plan

In August 2009, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) released a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) for 548,500 acres of western Montana’s State school trust lands.  The alternatives considered in the HCP and accompanying environmental analysis are “intended to conserve the habitats of threea threatened species…over the next 50 years.” DNRC’s proposed plan fails to adequately protect these species. (December 2009)

Old Growth Forests

MEIC reviews all timber sales on State School Trust Lands that contain old-growth forests.  Along with other groups, MEIC worked to improve rules, adopted by the State Land Board, governing the management and protection of the last vestiges of old growth forests on State-owned land. The regulations are intended to ensure sustainable management of the State’s forest resources and prevent the harvest of old growth timber stands.

• See also A Citizens Guide to Montana’s State Lands and the State Land Board

Land Use 

MEIC monitors all new development proposals and is a founding member of the Montana Smart Growth Coalition a statewide coalition to develop and implement strategies to prevent sprawl and to advocate better growth management.  After several years of dogged advocacy by MEIC, the Montana Land Board approved new rules governing the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s management of State lands located in the high-growth areas of the state. The rules are intended to prevent the State from being a contributor to the unplanned sprawl occurring near Montana’s fastest growing cities and towns.

In the 2005 Legislature, MEIC helped pass a bill that revises the Montana Subdivision and Platting Act. The bill more clearly defines the process by which local governments review subdivisions. It also amends the minor subdivision law to better describe how local governments review the first minor subdivision and subsequent minor subdivisions from a tract. It also allows a governing body to take additional time to consider new information that presented at the public hearing.