receive payments for deferring production or putting it back in grass. 



Montana's controversial "Land Economic Development Act" passed by the 

 last legislature is a move in the right direction. It provides a tax break 

 for proper land use over a period of years and penalties for mis-use of the 

 land or changing its use. However, many have expressed the difficulty of 

 implementing and administering the Act. I understand the legislative coun- 

 cil will review the Act. In the future ^mis-use and abuse of the land resource 

 should be recognized. Block farming and barren siirfaces exposed to wind ero- 

 sion through the winter could have a tax penalty applied. 



In the last 20 years stocking rates have been increased because of the 

 increase in livestock numbers. This is particularly true of the cattle pop- 

 ulation. This with low prices could have been avoided by producers insist- 

 ing that their surplus females be slaughtered rather than allowing them to 

 become part of the breeding herd. 



The Federal Government is in the land act all of the time taking land 

 from private ownership and the Forest Service and putting it in a wilder- 

 ness area, parks, wild areas, primitive areas, military installations, etc. 

 (monuments. Wildlife refuge). 



The Wild and Scenic River Bill by taking a stretch out of the Missouri 

 River will affect my neighbors. They have a grazing association on the ri- 

 ver. They feel most of the land will be absorbed into the Wild River area 

 and ruin their unit. They plan to put the unit up for sale because of the 

 potential acquisition of their land and the insecurity of waiting. 



A private land owner is in the same predicament. He does not know (l) 

 how many acres the federal government will acquire; (2) what the price will 

 be; (5) when the settlement will take place; and (4) what his future holds 

 in store. 



Many sportsmen and river rats have been in favor of the Wild River Bill 

 for the Missouri. They have been able to uae the area in the past as they 

 desired for boating, camping, fishing and hunting. In the future they will 

 probably be restricted similar to a national park entrance. 



The Military took land for missile sites in our area: (1) Cut off sod 

 on about 50 to 60 feet width for a cable line; (2) left rocks on the surface; 

 (3) 8 to 10 feet would have served their purpose; and (4) gravel pits were 



72 



