Big Sky Coalition hoping to spur changes to preserve the qualities so important to Montana’s economic success

Four weeks ago, a new breed of environmentalists was born with the Big Sky Coalition. Spanning the bridge between political parties, the group hopes to promote common sense when it comes to forest management.

Because of an eight-year drought in western Montana and the effects of global warming, the Big Sky Coalition’s founders, Tom and Charlotte Robak, equate the forests of the Bitterroot to a disaster waiting to happen. The Robaks feel the current forest management policies are resulting in annual catastrophic fires, which they say present a negative impact on the health and economic interest of Montanans.

The coalition advocates the thinning of forests which they say will reduce the risk of stand-replacement fires and cut down on smoke.

“We should be able to get emergency relief to come in and thin these woods,” Tom Robak said.

by KRISTIN KNIGHT – Ravalli Republic

Full Story: http://www.ravallirepublic.com/articles/2007/10/24/news/news02.txt

***

Bitterroot group calls for giving wildfires less fuel

By PERRY BACKUS of the Missoulian

On Sunday, Nov. 4, the Robaks are hoping people will turn out by the hundreds at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds’ First Interstate Building in Hamilton to take part in a 4 p.m. rally being hosted by the new Big Sky Coalition: Environmentalists with Common Sense.

Their intent is to create a groundswell of common folk interested in pushing for changes in the way national forest lands are managed.

“I believe we’re at a tipping point right now,” Tom Robak said. “People want something different. They want some management for our forests.”

Full Story: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/10/21/news/local/news03.txt

***

Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer touts state’s booming ‘restoration economy’ and quality of life. http://matr.net/article-25958.html