The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-05-19

cOnSOllQatlng various resource dgeH-
cies under one roof. Pointing to an
organization chart of Montana's state
government and it's myriad of divi-
sions, he said "it's time for change
the present set up is cumbersome
there is need for thorough
going reorganization :. :" Particular
ly did he stress the need for consoli-
dating agencies concerned with sur
face resources-soil, water, timber,
grass and wildlife.
FISH & GAME HESITANT
FIG Director Everin was hesitant
about going all out for overall con-
solidation if it included Fish & Game.
Everin pointed out:
1. Fish and game divisions under
consolidation in other states have
not functioned too satisfactorily f. /.
that Montana's department is nation
ally recognized for doing a superior
job of fostering and protecting the
states wildlife resource.
2. Federal FIG matching funds
are contingent on state departmental
fees paid by sportsmen. Such fees,
whether under consolidated agency,
or under a single purpose agency
such as we have, must not be diverted
even in part without jeopardizing
receiving federal funds.
3. Everin also said, later In the
day. that "earmarking" of funds for
fish and game in consolidated de-
partments often leads to inter-de-
partmental hard feelings when other
agencies in such departments are
compelled to work under limited leg
islative appropriations.
The game director said major
functions of his agency are to medi-
ate problems arising between land
owners and sportsmen, assure wild
life propagation and control to suit
available forage, do research work
aimed at keeping the game and fish
supply in line with the increasing
number of sportsmen, to seek as har-
monious relations as possible with
agencies and individuals concerned
with other land area uses.
He said that since a general de-
partmental reorganization in 1949,
there have been five divisions func-
tioning under the director and assist
ant director. These are: game man
agement, fisheries management, law
enforcement. office administration,
and education. Since
1949, he said, it is his firm convic-
ton the department has operated
quite effectively, and is recognized
as model operation.
STATE PARKS-RECREATION
Parks Director Roberts told the
conservationists his division was first
set up as separate agency IN the
3Os. but was consolidated into the
Highway Department in 1858. Al
though part of Highway and under
the administration of the Highway
Commission, State Parks rely on
legislative appropriation, not
highway funds, for operation.
Purpose of the division, he said,
is by legislative order, many-sided.
The division is instructed to conserve
the scenic, recreational, scientific
and archaeological resources of the
state, and put them to the beneficial
use of all the people.
Severely limited by legislative
appropriation, the division finds
close cooperation with other state
agencies is imperative in order to
come near obeying the Legislative
mandate of duties. Roberts said
that his agency is in constant con-
sultation with other agencies on
such matters as multiple-use recre-
ational sites-camping, picnicking,
fishing, hunting, etc.
Theoretically, he thinks one de-
partment of resources would be good.
He said that such single departments
do work well in Minnesota, Michigan,
Iowa and California, among others
although in some other states the
single department concept has failed,
either because of being improperly
set up, or because of inadequate per-