MISSOULA — Missoula County commissioners are throwing their support behind the Blackfoot Stewardship Act, saying it represents a "welcome opportunity" to back a proposal with diverse support.
It was more than two years ago that Senator Jon Tester first introduced the bill. That original bill had been frequently stalled, but Tester and the Act supporters re-grouped to edit and introduce a new version of the package.
The Act is unique because of the interesting mix of support for the plan, which seeks to create new wilderness in the Upper Blackfoot Valley, but also make accommodations for multi-purposes uses, such as logging with reforestation and recreation.
That diversity of support is what attracts commissioners. In their letter this week the board said the Act "aims to address challenges and opportunities in a single place-based collaborative effort."
