In order to take advantage of the practical knowledge of farmers and 

 ranchers, we have established the Resource Conservation Advisory Council 

 to advise the Department on range and other agricultural problems. Carl 

 Johnson, from Livingston, whom some of you may know, is the Chairman. 

 Prank Cimrhakl of Roy, John Vanisko of Deer Lodge, Charles Lane of Drum- 

 mond, James McCann of Harlem, Gladys Elison of Missoula, and Gordon Holte 

 of Plentywood are also members. 



The pay is terrible - mobody would serve for the money alone - and no 

 one would suggest that we always agree on how to approach a problem. But 

 there is debate, open discussion, an understanding that no one has all the 

 answers, and, most important, an exchange of ideas on how to best proceed. 

 In fact, a number of the programs and policies referred to earlier had their 

 origin with this Council. 



This dialogue between citizens and government at all levels must be in- 

 creased if government is to gain the confidence of the people it is supposed 

 to serve. 



And, at no time in Montana's history has that confidence been more im- 

 portant. 



As I indicated earlier, the demand for Montana's resources is increas- 

 ing at an almost overwhelming pace. Rangeland is going to be used for strip- 

 mining, as well as for raising cattle; water is going to be used for coal 

 conversion facilities as well as for irrigation; forest lands are going to 

 be used for transmission lines, as well as for timber, and for wilderness; 

 farmland is going to be used for subdivisions as well as for food - and all 

 of these resources are critical to both our agriculttiral economy and otir 

 way of life. 



How these resources are to be allocated and managed is probably the most 

 complex, controversial, and crucial issue facing Montana during the next ten 

 years. Will we accept further encroachment of the federal government into 

 areas traditionally of state concern? Will we allow the politically power- 

 ful areas of the country to dictate resource decisions? Will we see agri- 

 culture forced into a subordinate role, both politically and economically, 

 in Montana? 



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