The people's voice., 1959-08-28
State House Beat :.
FRANKLY SPEAKING

The recent acquisition of the Cline
ranch by the Fish and Game Depart
ment points up the growing awareness
of the role that Montana must play in
the national economy.
The Cline ranch is a three-mile
tract on the Madison, "the worlds
best trout fishing stream," near Three
Forks.
"Public Fishing Area" proclaim the
metal markers that are posted around
the ranch.
The recreation industry in Mon
tana is the second largest cash pro-
ducer. 1t is surpassed only by agri-
cultural products. The total receipts
of mining and timber. etc., fall be-
hind the cash outlay of that true hu-
man need. recreation.
Large portions of the recreation
facilities have fallen into hands of
private owners and are limited to
their personal use. The conditions
have reached such proportions that
the Northern Pacific Railroad and
other travel interests are trying to
break the stranglehold on Flathead
Lake. The Fish and Game Department
has been able to secure only one ac-
cess to this major tourist attraction.
The acquiring of land for general
public usage is going to be a factor
that will affect the size of the pay
check received per Montanan.
The money to buy these land under
pinnings for the second largest source
of income in the state comes primarily
from two federal acts. The Pitman-
Robinson excise tax on ammunition
that amounted to a $404,249 reim-
bursement in 1868. The Dingell-John-
son excise on fishing gear came to
$96,016. FIG must put up one dollar
to receive three from each of the |
federal grants.
The department must spend the |
money first and be reimbursed the
following year. Pitman Robinson |
funds amounted to Is per cent of the
income and Dingell-J ohm
;on came to three point eight per cent.
Financial critics of the department
Zee the large cash reserves but do not
'ealize the federal requirement that
'eady money must be spent first be-
ore the department is repaid.
Only small portion of the fed
raj grants is used to buy ground.
If the federal requirements could
re amended in respect to the purchase
f fishing accesses, game ranges, and
Wild life development areas in such
manner as to facilitate same year
anticipation with the states, the basic
behind the conservation of 1
lmerica's wild life heritage would re-
Give more rapid implementation
The department has paid $780, S
87.13 for 1865 acres of land and {
Eases. Only $49,259 for IT'S acres !
as been taken by administrative
tes. Fifteen counties received $13.-
IL in lieu of taxes in 1858. 1
In addition to the GOA acres of the + i
line ranch the department has six .
1her fishing accesses on the Madison.
n the Saltwater four access points +
re open to the public. Ten lakes have Q
cen opened to attract the loose a
lange of fishermen to help Mon
mas paycheck slaves meet the de-
ands of impending increases by 1
utilities. Only ten. II
The pride of the nation and the v
apartment are the conservation tri- n
nphs of the Lake county Ninepipe
me bird management area and the
eton county Freezeout Lake water n
wi development. s,
The Greenfield irrigation district "
cooperation with Bureau of Recla-
alton and FIG have achieved at W
'eezeout Lake model of scientific u
The cost of the real T
tate, $190,351 for 3,61O acres, as Ic
tn all of the programs, is without -
st to the taxpayer. The Bureau of :
.clamation leased without cost 6,04O "
res to the department. a.
Ninepipe has a resident Canada 81
a