House joint resolution NO. 4

INTRODUCED BY M. Marler

By Request of the ****

A joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the state of montana in support of the Montana trail 406 network.

WHEREAS, 87% of Montanans and over 12 million tourists participate in some form of outdoor recreation each year in our great state; and

WHEREAS, Montana's outdoor industry generates more than $7 billion annually, including supporting 10% of all Montana jobs; and

WHEREAS, the October 2019 Headwaters Economics report showed that proximity to the Continental Divide Trail is beneficial for a state's economy and that 88% of business owners within gateway communities of the Continental Divide Trail noticed growth in businesses, as well as in their communities, due to the Continental Divide Trail since 2014; and

WHEREAS, a group of enthusiastic outdoor-recreating, business-promoting Montanans are working hard to form the Montana Trail 406, a roughly 1,500-mile-long route linking existing public trails to accommodate hikers, bicyclists, floaters, and horseback riders; and

WHEREAS, the Montana Trail 406 will provide an abundance of recreational opportunities and economic incentives for rural Montana communities along the route to capitalize on their unique natural wonders and recreational opportunities beyond the traditional hunting season; and

WHEREAS, the Montana Trail 406 includes 538 miles of the Continental Divide Trail, 400 miles of the established Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, and 149 miles of the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River from Fort Benton to the James Kipp Recreational Area; and

WHEREAS, the Montana Trail 406 route showcases Montana's dramatic mountains, vast prairies, and river landscapes, and offers mental and physical health benefits for all ages; and

WHEREAS, travelers can experience truly dark skies, a sense of history, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, opportunities to fish for over 49 species, ever-changing wildflower display from the mountains to the prairies, and the opportunity to test oneself against the rugged-and still wild-Montana landscape.

Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

That the Montana Legislature proclaims the recognition of the Montana Trail 406 and its positive influence on the utilization of Montana's unique outdoor recreational opportunities and its beneficial impact on local economies.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send a copy of this resolution to the Governor of Montana, the Montana Department of Commerce, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, each of the federally recognized tribal governments in Montana, the Montana State Director of the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Secretary of the Interior, and each member of the Montana Congressional Delegation.