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.
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