BLM urged to keep Hi-Line land in natural state

A group of sportsmen, backpackers and conservationists are urging the federal Bureau of Land Management to take another look at its plan for the future of public lands along the Hi-Line.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday morning, members of the coalition said they wanted to preserve some of the best hunting land and open space in the West from encroachment of energy exploration, power lines or roads.

“This is one of the last places in the country that looks like it did when Lewis and Clark were here 200 years ago,” said Dave Chadwick, executive director of the Montana Wilderness Federation.

BL...