Setting the Record Straight on My Position on APR

Dear Editor,

I am excited to be a candidate for Valley County Commissioner. The primary campaign was a very positive experience for me because of the great group of candidates who were all focused on how to serve Valley County in the best way possible. It is an honor to be selected by the voters to move onto the general election in November with Gilbert Mogan.

In visiting with people across Valley County, I have learned that there is misinformation circulating about my position on the efforts by American Prairie Reserve (APR) to expand bison grazing for the establishment of the “American Serengeti.” I continue to be opposed to those efforts that would open up fragile prairie lands to year-round bison grazing, remove interior fencing on BLM land, and re-introduce grizzly bears and wolves to the region. These all pose significant risks to the ranching economy and represent a major change in land use that can only be understood through a thorough environmental impact statement (EIS). I believe that the EIS will identify significant economic, social and environmental impacts to the area under APR’s plan. I sent my comments to the BLM documenting my concerns in early April, 2018, and also included those comments on my campaign facebook page, dated April 5, 2018.

The ranchers in our area are far better stewards of our irreplaceable lands than the American Prairie Reserve. After all, their livelihood and the livelihood of this region has counted on it for well over 100 years.

We have an enviable and unique region, filled with the American spirit and values that built our country. Because of it, we have thousands of visitors come to Missouri River Country annually. They come here to see not only our beautiful landscapes, but our communities and way of life, the foundation of which is farming and ranching. I will continue to vigorously oppose any threat to that foundation.

Sincerely,

Mary Armstrong

Candidate for Valley County Commissioner