Citizens take a stand over natural resources plan in Montana

The Ravalli County Commission wants a seat at the table when public lands managers make decisions that impact county residents.

On Thursday, the commission met before a room filled to the brim to hear comments on a natural resource plan developed by a group of private citizens.

With a historic photograph of a loaded logging truck on its cover, the 44-page document establishes goals and objectives for managing natural resources in topics that range from livestock grazing and water rights to tourism and recreation.

The group focuses on state and federal law that requires public land managers to “coordinate” with local governments in its decisionmaking process.