Dave Chadwick 

Executive Director 

Montana Wildlife Federation 

PO Box 1175, Helena, MT 59601 

Comments on Clean Power Plan Proposed Rule 

(Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OAR-2013-0602) 

July 30, 2014 

The Montana Wildlife Federation (MWF) is Montana's oldest and largest wildlife 

conservation organization. MWF was founded in 1936 by hunters, anglers, 

wildlife watchers, agricultural landowners, and other conservationists who were 

concerned about the loss of Montana's natural lands, healthy waters, and abundant 

wildlife. For the last eight decades, MWF has played a central role in efforts to 

protect the natural resources that define Montana's identity as the Last, Best Place. 

Our 5,000 members include hunters, anglers, and other conservationists from 

around Montana and the nation. 

Montana is an outdoor state, and we see firsthand the impacts that global warming 

is having on our lands, waters, fish, and wildlife. This fact — documented by an 

overwhelming global scientific consensus — is playing out on in very real ways in 

the Treasure State. Precipitation patterns are changing. Wildfires are more 

frequent and more intense. Drought is more common and more severe. 

Vegetation patterns are changing. Snowpack levels are down. Runoff is 

happening earlier, disrupting seasonal streamflow patterns. Water temperatures in 

our rivers and streams are rising. 

All of these changes are having a very real impact on the ability of Montanans to 

hunt, fish, and enjoy our state's outdoors. Changes in vegetation are altering 

habitat for big game. Hunters report that the animals just aren't where they used 

to be. Warmer temperatures in September are making life difficult for 

bowhunters, who can't find animals and can't pack out game without spoilage. 

Drier conditions in the Prairie Pothole region are impacting waterfowl hunters and 

bird watchers. Higher water temperatures and diminished streamflows are 

stressing fish, forcing river closures during what used to be the peak of the fishing 

season. These changes are affecting the ability of people to hunt, fish, and 

otherwise enjoy our wildlife resources, ultimately undercutting our state's multibillion dollar outdoor economy. 

Because of the impact that global warming has on fish, wildlife, and the outdoor 

traditions that depend on these resources, the Montana Wildlife Federation 

supports policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. If we don't act now, these 

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problems will only get worse. We need to take steps to address global warming in 

order to ensure that future generations can enjoy the hunting, fishing, and other 

outdoor traditions that we value as Montanans. We also need to protect the tens of 

thousands of jobs all over the state that depend on our natural environment and our 

rich outdoor recreation opportunities. 

The Clean Power Plan represents a good step toward helping protect Montana 

from the threat of global warming. The plan calls for Montana to reduce our 

global warming pollution by 21 percent by 2030, in order to contribute to an 

overall nationwide reduction of 30 percent. The state-focused approach in the 

proposal will give Montana the flexibility to develop strategies that work for our 

resources, our economy, and our power needs. 

In addition to the benefits of reducing global warming pollution, the Clean Power 

Plan has the potential to reduce other threats to fish and wildlife. Some of 

Montana's most wildlife rich areas are also targets for coal mining and other 

extractive activities. Reducing our national dependence on dirty energy sources 

will reduce pressure to destroy and fragment Montana's landscape, keeping these 

lands intact for future generations. 

On the other side of the equation, the Clean Power Plan also holds great potential 

to enhance Montana's economy by creating new jobs in renewable energy and 

improving energy efficiency. Wind and other clean, renewable energy sources 

represent a potential growth industry for Montana. The state plans developed 

under the Clean Power Plan can provide for the responsible development of these 

renewable resources. Improving energy efficiency similarly holds the potential to 

save money for Montanans. 

On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of Montanans who hunt, fish, and enjoy 

the outdoors — as well as the hundreds of thousands of Montanans who depend on 

our state's multi-billion dollar fish and wildlife-based outdoor economy — I urge 

you to support a strong Clean Power Plan that reduces greenhouse gas pollution. 

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