The fate of public lands depends on state elections

The Public Land and Water Access Association (PLWA) is a grassroots organization in Montana that has been working for nearly 40 years to ensure public access to public lands and resources. In the midst of a political climate where public lands are a hot topic, PLWA is fighting against attempts to privatize these resources. They have investigated over 40 issues in the past year, from illegally gated public roads to attempts to block stream access. Two groups in particular, the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC) and the United Property Owners of Montana (UPOM), are highlighted as advocating for privatization and exclusive access to public lands. In the past, PERC sided with a millionaire landowner in a legal battle against PLWA over stream access. UPOM has also been involved in efforts to benefit wealthy landowners at the expense of public access. The article warns that the future of public access in Montana is at risk as these groups push for privatization. PLWA is advocating for a future where everyone has access to public resources, not just those with the deepest pockets. The choice of what kind of Montana we want to live in is up to the people. Executive Director Alex Leone and the PLWA Board of Directors are using their platform to defend public access and resources in the face of political and economic pressures.

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