The result is a less sound economy. The Public Trust doctrine does not erode any private property rights. It only affects public resources such as wildlife, fish and water. It does not grant the public any access rights to private lands. Montana's famous fisheries are deeply imperiled by the increasing abuse.
Subdivisions also cause increased siltation of our streams and rivers from greater runoffs.
These effects are deadly for all life forms - fish and wildlife, vegetation, microorganisms, and man. Gold mining companies are now allowed to dump waste water polluted with carcinogens such as arsenic, other toxic chemicals and nutrients into our clean rivers and streams, because of drastic changes to our state water quality laws enacted by the 1995 legislature. Logging Practices such as excessive harvesting, clear cutting, steep slope cutting, cutting within watersheds or headwaters, and extensive inappropriate road building have greatly contributed to water degradation. Over harvesting of beyond natural levels that will annually replenish themselves and tens of thousands of miles of roads have combined to greatly increase sedimentation in streams. Not only do these poor land practices cause problems for water quality but also for big game wildlife habitat, security, and winter range.