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Federal land management policy has a significant impact on Montana’s economy and our ability to sustain our rural communities. Public Lands for Public Use aims to keep Montanans informed about how federal and state policies can affect their livelihoods, their schools, and their communities. Over 25 percent of the land in Montana is managed by the federal government, one-quarter of which is already closed to multiple use.

Public Lands for Public Use members include natural resource industries (through those industries’ trade associations); as well as rural schools, through the Montana Rural Education Association. Rural school districts rely upon tax revenues derived from natural resource development on federal lands. Responsible use of public lands to benefit people – through grazing, agriculture and natural resource development – has been an important part of Montana’s history, and is essential to our future.