Looks like the Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC), and other non-governmental organizations (NGO) have slipped themselves further into the High Divide area, convincing ranchers into a collaborative relationship. The area is primarily Montana but just eeks over into Idaho along the Centennial mountains. Partners of the Centennial Valley Association (CVA) includes the GYC, Nature Conservancy (TNC), Future West, Heart of the Rockies/High Divide Collaborative, several federal agencies, a Tribe, and several other NGOs. Other "friends" include the international organization, Earth Concerns International. Protecting this area is critical to these groups as it is "linking Yellowstone to the Salmon-Selway Wilderness and Crown of the Continent". Apparently, besides preventing any subdivision development, this organization works on water and invasive species issues, "wildlife-conflict mitigation", and education for young children so they will know how to take care of the land, at least in the view of NGOs, international organizations, and the government.
While all of this sounds great and wonderful, the question becomes, why did the communities in this area not come together on their own for the same purpose? Neighbor to neighbor sharing of ideas and projects. Is it not concerning there is some level of involvement by an international group? Or is it just the access to more money? Has the CVA taken on the mission of these NGOs? It is disheartening to know that Idahoans have chosen to join these groups. With 30 x 30 will it be a matter of time before private land owners are encouraged to turn over their land into conservation easements? Or do they understand the U.S. Forest Service is proposing a reduction in family operations for eventually deherding of stock? All of these good activities could be accomplished by citizens in each state. Don't be led astray by other groups who often have hidden motives.
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The Greater Yellowstone Coalition (GYC) is another, very well funded, conservation initiative, or non-governmental organization (NGO) similar to Yellowstone to Yukon (Y2Y), based in Montana. In spite of being based in Montana, like an octopus, it has far reaching arms through its partnerships, influencing agendas and policies. Generally, 501(c)3 organizations are prohibited from engaging in lobbying or attempts to influence public policy. Revision of the Salmon-Challis Forest Management Plan was specifically targeted in 2014 by GYC. Following is the an excerpt from the 2015 tax form, page 44 in the PDF. "THE NEW CONGRESS SEEMS POISED TO MAKE CHANGES TO NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT, WHICH WILL DICTATE THAT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR NATIONAL PARTNERS TO ENSURE IMPORTANT CONSERVATION MEASURES ARE NOT UNDERMINED GYC CONTINUES BUILDING STRONG SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING PUBLIC LANDS IN SOUTHWEST MONTANA SUCH AS THE GALLATIN RANGE AND LANDS TO THE WEST IN THE HIGH DIVIDE IN WYOMING, WE WILL CELEBRATE A SIGNIFICANT WIN AS WE FINALIZE THE SHOSHONE NATIONAL FORESTS NEW FOREST PLAN, WHICH WILL PUT ALMOST ONE MILLION ACRES OFF LIMITS TO OIL & GAS DEVELOPMENT OTHER PRIORITIES WILL BE THE BLMS BIGHORN BASIN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND ENSURING KEY FOREST LANDS ARE PROTECTED FROM EXPANDED MOTORIZED USE AS THE SHOSHONE LAUNCHES A TRAVEL PLANNING PROCESS IN EASTERN IDAHO, WE HAVE HELPED BUILD SOLID MOMENTUM BEHIND A PARTNERSHIP THAT IS SEEKING TO PROTECT CRITICAL WILDLIFE HABITAT ON PRIVATE LANDS IN THE HENRYS FORK WATERSHED GYC CONTINUES EFFORTS IN IDAHO TO INFLUENCE THE BLMS FORTHCOMING UPPER SNAKE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN, THROUGH WHICH WE SEE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE NEW ADMINISTRATIVE LAND PROTECTIONS" GYC is registered as a 501(c)3 in Montana. In general, a non-profit is prohibited from engaging in lobbying or attempting to influence public policy. However, on page 22 of the tax form, there is a section titled, "Complete if the organization is exempt under section 501 (c)3." This suggests GYC is exempt from activities that influence public policy or legislative bodies. Quite a bit of money was contributed to lobbying by GYC. Citizens often ponder, and are frustrated by their voice in decisions being ignored. With the amount of money these non-profits have, and political influence, it is no wonder why our government has been recalcitrant to our words. |