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Candidates clash over wilderness, multiple‑use and endangered species law in Montana debate
Summary
Conrad Burns defended an ‘all‑acres’ approach and multiple‑use protections while Jack Mudd warned Burns’ bill prioritized extractive uses and deepened polarization; both addressed the Endangered Species Act and NEPA’s role.
A debate in Billings featured a sustained argument over management of federal lands in Montana, with incumbent U.S. Sen. Conrad Burns defending his wilderness strategy as settling a long‑running dispute and challenger Jack Mudd criticizing Burns’ approach as favoring extractive industries.
“...we will the land managers recommended 800,000 acres in wilderness,” Burns said, arguing his bill addressed all acres while preserving multiple use for other lands so communities have “predictability” for their economies.
Mudd said Burns’ later bill reversed earlier compromises and would have changed the multiple‑use framework for…
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