The Opinion article in the Apr. 8th Eagle was a Democrat smear.  The Eagle’s headlines “State Republicans are selling off Public Lands” was intentionally vague, misleading and outrageous.  I blame the Eagle for that.  The content by Matt McGovern was more of the same – intentionally misleading readers.  SB2l5 pertains to FEDERAL public lands becoming  Montana public lands  - just like a majority of the states have done..

Senate Bill #2l5 is titled “An act PROHIBITING future sales of land granted or transferred to the state.  Article 3 states:  the state may NOT sell title in fee simple to land granted or transferred by the U.S. to Montana…”.  This is so clear I can only conclude Mr. McGovern is intentionally smearing Republicans and deceiving the public.

I refer you to the column in the Interlake on 4/l0 by Jennifer Fielder who received an award from Mt. Agri Woman.  She was honored for protecting state public lands.

 No Matt, no more scaring the public into thinking the Flathead Forest will become pizza and burger restaurants.  It’s about Montana taking care of its own land – and doing it better than the Feds.

 —Carol Nelson, Bigfork