67th Legislature HJ 15.1
1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15
2 INTRODUCED BY M. MARLER, J. TREBAS, M. WEATHERWAX, T. WELCH
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4 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
5 MONTANA RECOGNIZING THE BENEFITS OF A CONNECTED TRAIL NETWORK ACROSS MONTANA.
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7 WHEREAS, 87% of Montanans and over 12 million tourists participate in some form of outdoor
8 recreation each year in our great state; and
9 WHEREAS, Montana's outdoor industry generates more than $7 billion annually, including supporting
10 10% of all Montana jobs; and
11 WHEREAS, the October 2019 Headwaters Economics Report showed that proximity to the Continental
12 Divide Trail is beneficial for a state's economy and that 88% of business owners within gateway communities of
13 the Continental Divide Trail noticed growth in businesses, as well as in their communities, due to the
14 Continental Divide Trail since 2014; and
15 WHEREAS, a group of outdoor recreation enthusiast, business-promoting Montanans are working hard
16 to form the Montana Trail 406, a roughly 1,500-mile long route linking existing public trails to accommodate
17 hikers, bicyclists, floaters, and horseback riders; and
18 WHEREAS, the Montana Trail 406 will provide an abundance of recreational opportunities and
19 economic incentives for rural Montana communities along the route to capitalize on their unique natural
20 wonders and recreational opportunities beyond the traditional hunting season; and
21 WHEREAS, the Montana Trail 406 includes 538 miles of the Continental Divide Trail, 400 miles of the
22 established Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, and 149 miles of the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic
23 River from Fort Benton to the James Kipp Recreational Area; and
24 WHEREAS, the Montana Trail 406 route showcases Montana's dramatic mountains, vast prairie, and
25 river landscapes, and offers mental and physical health benefits for all ages; and
26 WHEREAS, travelers can experience truly dark skies, a sense of history, wildlife viewing, bird-
27 watching, opportunities to fish for over 49 species, ever-changing wildflower display from the mountains to the
28 prairies, and the opportunity to test oneself against the rugged—and still wild—Montana landscape.
-1- Authorized Print Version – HJ 15
67th Legislature HJ 15.1
1
2 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
3 THE STATE OF MONTANA:
4 That the Montana Legislature proclaims the recognition of the Montana Trail 406 and its positive impact
5 utilizing Montana's unique outdoor recreational opportunities and its beneficial influence on the local
6 economies.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of State send a copy of this resolution to the
8 Governor of Montana, the Montana Department of Commerce, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and
9 Parks, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, each of the federally recognized tribal
10 governments in Montana, the Montana State Director of the Bureau of Land Management, the United States
11 Secretary of the Interior, and each member of the Montana Congressional Delegation.
12 - END -
-2- Authorized Print Version – HJ 15