Heritage Waters Coalition Issues Urgent Call to Action in Response to the Montana Headwaters Legacy Act
Silver City, NM (November 24,2023) — The Heritage Waters Coalition (HWC), a vanguard for land and water rights, today issued a critical alert to all Montanans and concerned citizens nationwide. The recently introduced Headwaters Legacy Act by Senator Jon Tester represents a significant threat to the rights and traditional practices of property owners, agricultural stakeholders, and the broader outdoor heritage community.
This Act, part of a sweeping Wild and Scenic movement, aims to establish 'wilderness light' areas, effectively placing broad restrictions on multiple rivers and streams across our state. These changes could transform how Montanans engage with waterways that are not only ecological treasures but also cornerstones of our local economies and cultural identity.
The rivers potentially affected by this overreaching protective measure include but are not limited to the Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson, Yellowstone, Missouri, Flathead, Bighorn, Blackfoot, and Clark Fork Rivers. The HWC warns that the Act could lead to stringent limitations on long-standing practices such as grazing and irrigation and might grant excessive control to private NGOs over the stewardship of our rivers.
The HWC is championing the fight to protect the interests of Montanans by calling for unity against this legislative initiative. "The sweeping regulations proposed in the Headwaters Legacy Act are a cause for significant concern," said Drew Lesofski, Executive Director of the HWC. "While we all value the beauty and purity of our rivers, this Act could infringe upon the very rights and traditions that have maintained these waterways for generations."
The Heritage Waters Coalition calls upon all who cherish Montana's rivers and the rights they represent to join the Coalition and bolster the collective effort to oppose the Headwaters Legacy Act. By uniting, we can ensure that our rivers continue to flow freely, supporting our way of life rather than restricting it.
For more information about the Heritage Waters Coalition and to become a member, please visit www.heritagewaters.org.
About the Heritage Waters Coalition:
The Heritage Waters Coalition is a grassroots organization dedicated to protecting land and water rights. Comprised of landowners, agricultural stakeholders, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts, the HWC is committed to ensuring the responsible management and use of Montana's precious water resources.
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