US senator releases full text of BLM NMon document
21-page U.S. Bureau of Land Management planning document that discusses the possibility of creating a grasslands national monument in northeastern Montana was made public Monday by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester.
Snippets of the "treasured landscapes" document and emails between conservation groups and government officials have been previously reported, prompting concern in some quarters that another national monument in Montana was in the works.
The full document released Monday says "Internal Draft — NOT FOR RELEASE" at the top.
Tester Spokesman Aaron Murphy released the following statement:
"Jon had an opportunity to read the whole draft memo after seeing it for the first time Friday and he's pleased that it mentions the importance of public support and participation for future land planning. This is in line with what Secretary Salazar told Jon directly — that any plans from the Interior Department need broad public support before moving forward."