MFMU 2001

ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Year 2001

- Bitterroot relief convoy, collected and hauled a semi-load and more of household goods and clothing to Hamilton for forest fire victims. Had a networking luncheon with multiple use people of the Bitterroot (December, 2000)

- North Fork snowmobile lawsuit information meeting with Montana Snowmobile Association (Jan. 19, Fairgrounds)

- Empowerment of Local Govt., Land Ownership & Management Seminar: New Mexico SB-1 emergency management legislation with NM County Commissioners, Richard Zierling and Mike Nivison and property rights expert, Jay Walley, Paragon Foundation. Meetings in Kalispell and Hamilton (March 9 & 10, Eagle Clubs)

- Met with the Forest Service Supervisor and her staff for a meeting to discuss forest service issues and timber industry problems. (March 29)

- Co-sponsored author and lecturer, Barry Clausen public meeting revealing environmental funding. (April 11)

- Supported and participated with Communities for a Great Northwest in Eureka Log Haul honoring Jim Hurst and the employees and families of the Owens & Hurst sawmill. Held a kick-off chili feed for participants. Conducted a survey and sent results to elected officials and federal agency officials. (May 16 & 17)

- MFMU members assisted with the annual "Family Forestry Expo". Field trip for 1500 Valley 5th grade students. Parents and public on Saturday and Sunday.

- Fire Hazard Reduction information meeting for public, key community leaders and forest service conducted by Fred Hodgeboom at Fairgrounds. (July 26) Follow-up contact with U.S. Congressman staff in local offices.

- Members set up and manned a County Fair booth for 5 days and 12 hour days. (August 15 - 19)

- Klamath Basin Convoy of Tears relief for Oregon farmers whose irrigation water had been cut off. Organized the send-off rally at Fairgrounds. MFMU members traveled with the convoy to show support. (August 18-25)

- MEPA reform: With Montana Resource Providers Coalition, League of Rural Voters, Communities for a Great Northwest, Montana Miners Assn. and others, MFMU members made several trips to Helena to testify in favor of Montana Environmental Policy Act reform, including reasonable alternatives, time limits on permit review, and bonding requirements for environmental groups.

- MFMU President Clarence Taber set up and staffed an exhibit in Columbia Falls publicizing concerns over the Moose Creek fire and promoted field trips through the Columbia Falls fire camp. Board member Sheila Keller worked at the camp during the fire..

- Conferences at which MFMU Represented:

Range Fighter Conference, LasVegas (Febr. 24-25)

Freedom 21, Henry Lamb Conference, St. Louis (July 12-15)

Alternative Energy Conference, Great Falls (Oct. 8-10)

WRITTEN TESTIMONIES (Public Comment Letters) In addition to the following letters on record and on file, there are numerous others which have been submitted by many of our MFMU members. We have also been well represented at scoping and public information meetings. Deadline notices have been provided through the newsletter, web-site and by e-mail.

- May 12 Written request to Forest Supervisor requesting response - Clarence Taber

- May 17 Survey and petition (over 200 ea.) concerning Citizen condemnation of State of Western National Forests, written and circulated by Fred Hodgeboom and submitted with letter addressed to Forest Supervisor, Cathy Barboletous with copies to news media (national and local), elected officials and federal governmental agencies.

- May 17 Petition circulated by Dave Skinner on behalf of Jay Walley to submit to Secy. of Int. Gale Norton

- July 6 ICBEMP-SDEIS official MFMU letter prepared by Gary Hall and sent by Clarence Taber requesting less top down management and greater input by and concern for local stakeholders.

- July 8 Official MFMU letter regarding Burned Area Recovery DEIS for Bitterroot National Forest prepared by Chuck Samuelson.

- August 14 Official MFMU letter to U.S. Congressmen requesting repeal of the endangered species act and immediate action by Congress to correct abuses by government agencies. . prepared by Chuck Samuelson.

- August 28 Official MFMU letter USDA Forest Service requesting withdrawal of the Roadless Decision dictated by Pres. Clinton. . prepared by Fred Hodgeboom.

- August 29 Official MFMU letter to F.S. Supervisor, Barboletous, regarding the proposed Forest Plan Amendment 23 EA, requesting its withdrawal and to be replaced with a genuine analysis of site specific actions.

- October 16 Official MFMU letter to F.S. Chief Dale Bosworth with complaints concerning current poor forest management destroying forest health and resulting in the Moose fire. He requested replacement of the present supervisor with someone who understands forest management and has concerns for the needs and welfare of local citizens.

- October 25 Official MFMU letter to Bureau of Land Management prepared by Gary Hall concerning the proposed Northern Rockies Lynx Assessment. Additional comments plus participation in the open house.

- November 12 Letter to Bureau of Land Management concerning the proposed EIS for 264 million acres of BLM lands, requesting No Action.

- Spotted Beetle EA: Through efforts of webmaster, Gary Hall and Dave Skinner over 200 comments resulted opposing any of the action alternatives requiring 48 more miles of closure and obliteration.

- Moose Fire state sale comments: several of members took the state tour up to Dead Horse and Cyclone . . a real eye opener regarding the difference between U.S. F.S. paper shuffling and State of MT action on the ground.

- Moose Creek Fire Public Forum with 16 key individuals participating on three panels: problems, operations during the fire, and solutions. Panelists included private property owners, agencies and groups actively involved in fire management, public officials including County Commissioner and Federal government representatives. Extensive, detailed report was prepared by Chuck Samuelson and distributed to forum participants, key industry people and elected officials.

Extensive publicity of MFMU activities and positions on issues related to resource industries was provided throughout the year by various MFMU members through numerous letters to the editor, appearances on radio and TV and at various public information meetings. Presentations for school groups has been initiated with hopes for expansion into a continuing program in the coming year.

Much behind the scenes work goes into raffles, membership drives, correspondence and communications. Members provide excellent support through their interest and recommendations to friends and associates here in Montana and elsewhere encouraging membership and support of this very active organization.

We have a lot to do to inform and work through the Administration in an effort to make needed changes in policy that will correct management problems currently limiting the use of our natural resources, especially those of the timber industry.

In the coming weeks the board will be working very hard to set up committees, telephone trees, letter writing, planning new and interesting events, raising money etc. to keep the organization active and productive. The newsletter and our website will continue to keep folks informed of what is happening. With so much going on and so much TO DO, we need volunteers to help; to work on committees; to become involved. We will be seeking input from our members. We request your phone calls and attendance at our board meetings with your ideas, suggestions, advice and offers of help. This next year promises to be as busy as the last with an entire set of new challenges and interesting events. Come share with us.

Presented at the Annual Membership Meeting

November 14, 2001