FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2018
Center for Western Priorities partners with Montana Conservation Voters to host panel discussion on new public lands polling
BILLINGS—The Center for Western Priorities and Montana Conservation Voters held a panel discussion in Billings to share polling information with the public, focusing on Montanans’ views on public land policies. As part of its Winning the West campaign, the Center for Western Priorities conducted extensive surveys of voters in Western states, gauging their opinions on the importance of public lands and the outdoor recreation economy.
“Public lands, and how they are managed, are increasingly becoming one of the most important issues for Western voters,” said Jennifer Rokala, Executive Director of the Center for Western Priorities. “What we’ve done with this poll is identify who these public lands voters are, and what matters most to them. We’ve found that this issue cuts across all types of people; from young families to retirees, and avid hunters to occasional hikers, Western voters are passionate about public lands.”
The survey examines attitudes among a number of key groups, as well as among Republicans, Democrats, and independents, finding that across all groups and party affiliations, access to outdoor recreation opportunities is a top priority for large majorities in Montana and other states across the West.
The survey also asked respondents about their thoughts on the Trump administration’s actions regarding public lands. The results show that policies such as reducing the size of national monuments and allowing oil and gas drilling near national parks are deeply unpopular across the board.
“Protecting public lands and promoting renewable energy continue to be priorities of Montanans. This poll reinforces these facts while also highlighting that we care about how oil and gas companies operate on public lands, which is why we are disappointed to see Secretary Zinke and Acting EPA Administrator Wheeler’s effort to rollback commonsense safeguards against dangerous methane pollution,” said Rick Potts, Interim Executive Director of Montana Conservation Voters.
For more information on the Winning the West poll, visit westernpriorities.org/winning–