SigMT

SiG MT 37 SiG MT 61 has been in the family since the 1800s. Janet explained during a community meeting near Great Falls on Oct. 15 that she first learned about the NHA proposal this past August, even though the BSCNHA corporation has been working on the proposal for over five years. She said she wasn't alone. Approximately 83,000 Cascade and Chouteau County residents would be affected if the designation is approved. "Most of those people are largely unaware," Janet said. When Janet first heard about the proposed NHA, she thought it sounded like it could be a fantastic project. It was compellingly touted as a "community-driven, resident-driven" undertaking, which piqued her interest, she acknowledged. "You know – us deciding what's important and helping promote that and leing the world know how proud we are of our culture and our heritage," she explained. But when she began looking at the "fine print," she discovered that the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and the Director of the National Park Service play major roles in overseeing America's 55 NHAs, she said. "ose are both politically-appointed positions," Janet noted. "So, something that is promised right now might not be upheld when the power changes federally and we have a new Secretary of the Department of the Interior or we have a different Director of the National Park Service." Some protective language has been added in the federal NHA statute regarding public and private land rights, but those weren't there initially, she said. "As the heritage areas have cropped up across the United States, there have been problems, and that's why in 2019, Congress amended and added language to protect our private landowner rights," Janet explained. "Protections can be added, but protections also can be taken away." ose who oppose the NHA have also expressed concern about the management board itself, to include its inception, its alleged lack of oversight, and the fact that not one of its 14 members is an active farmer or rancher. According to Jane, two members of the BSCNHA board own farming property, but do not actively farm it themselves. "One owner leases their property and the other has their land under a CRP Farm Program," she said. Many local farmers and ranchers are stewarding land that has been in their family for generations. Montana landowners are passionate about protecting and preserving Big Sky Country. "As the heritage areas have cropped up across the United States, there have been problems, and that's why in 2019, Congress amended and added language to protect our private landowner rights. Protections can be added, but protections also can be taken away." - Janet ayer

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