Senate Joint Resolution No. 17

Introduced By _______________________________________________________________________________

A Joint Resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of Montana urging congress to enact legislation pertaining to opening and closing dates for Yellowstone National Park entrances, summer and winter activities in the park, and the fees for the park.

WHEREAS, Montana communities bordering Yellowstone National Park have an intense interest in the park and have economies that are directly tied to the park; and

WHEREAS, those communities bordering the park have such close ties to the park that it is in the communities' best interests that the park be cared for and provided for; and

WHEREAS, the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park Service have stated that all national parks should work cooperatively and in partnership with the communities surrounding the parks; and

WHEREAS, Montana United States Senator Conrad Burns is proposing to introduce legislation to Congress pertaining to opening and closing dates for the various entrances to the park and summer and winter recreational uses of the park; and

WHEREAS, the Montana Legislature is in agreement with the legislation that Senator Burns is proposing to introduce.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the Montana Legislature, on behalf of all Montanans, urge Congress to enact the legislation that is being proposed by Senator Burns pertaining to opening and closing dates of Yellowstone National Park entrances and summer and winter activities in the park, including having the Secretary of the Interior receive input from park gateway communities prior to changing the fees.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State transmit a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and the members of the Montana Congressional Delegation.

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