CITIZENS FOR BALANCED USE CO KERRY WHITE
PO BOX 606, GALLATIN GATEWAY, MT 59730 www.balanceduse.com

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Organizations Filed Purposes: TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUES THAT CONFRONT OUR ABILITY TO ACCESS AND ACTIVELY MANAGE OUR PUBLIC LANDS.

CITIZENS FOR BALANCED USE IS A NON-PROFIT 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION REGISTERED WITH THE IRS UNDER EDUCATION. CBU EMPLOYS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO CONDUCT EVERYDAY OPERATIONS INCLUDING BANK ACCOUNTING, ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE, PREPARATION OF EDUCATIONAL DOCUMENTS, MEMBER AND SUPPORTER COMMUNICATION AND NOTICES OF MEETINGS, EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE CONTACT INFORMATION, PROVIDE INFORMATION UPON REQUEST REGARDING ISSUES OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS MAY ENCOUNTER, AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THE CBU BOARD.CBU DOES NOT COMPENSATE ANY OF OUR MEMBERS, SUPPORTERS OR THE CBU BOARD. CBU DOES CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN ASSISTING THEM IN WITH ISSUES THAT ARE OF INTEREST TO THE MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF CBU. EVERY ODD NUMBERED YEAR CBU HIRES A LOBBYIST FOR THE 90-DAY MONTANA LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN ORDER TO TRACK ISSUES IMPORTANT TO OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS. CBU PROVIDES OUR LOBBYIST WITH EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL ON THESE ISSUES THAT ARE PROVIDED TO LEGISLATORS AND DECISION MAKERS. THIS EXPENSE IS REPORTED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLITICAL PRACTICE AS REQUIRED AND OUR LOBBY EXPENSE DOES NOT EXCEED THE 20% LIMIT SET BY THE IRS.CBU IS REGISTERED WITH THE MONTANA SECRETARY OF STATE IN GOOD STANDING SINCE 2004 AS A NON-PROFIT CORPARATION WITH ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS FILED WITH THE STATE OF MONTANA. CBU HAS MONTHLY MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WITH RECORDED MINUTES. CBU HOSTS AN ANNUAL FUNDRAISER BANQUET IN MAY OF EACH YEAR WITH RAFFLES, SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION, GAMES AND DINNER. CBU HAS A SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF MONTANA. THIS PLATE IS VERY POPULAR AND HELPS CBU RAISE FUNDS TO FURTHER OUR MISSION OF PROMOTING MULTIPLE USE RECREATION, SUPPORTING ACTIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT, AND ENCOURAGING RESPONSIBLE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ON OUR FEDERALLY MANAGED PUBLIC LANDS.CBU HAS HELPED MANY INDIVIDUALS FORM SIMILAR GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN MONTANA AND OTHER WESTERN STATES. OUR WEBSITE INCLUDES A "GUIDELINES TO ACTION" WHICH HELP PEOPLE LEARN HOW TO ENGAGE IN ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGISLATIVE PROCESSES. WE ALSO PROVIDE A LIST OF ISSUES IMPORTANT TO OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS ON OUR WEBSITE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE. THIS SITE CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.BALANCEDUSE.ORG.EVERY YEAR CBU FILES OUR TAXES WITH THE IRS AND PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF WHAT THE ORGANIZATION WAS INVOLVED IN DURING THE YEAR. THIS INFORMATION IS PUBLIC. ALL CONTRIBUTIONS TO CBU ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE UNDER THE 501(C)3 IRS RULES. CBU IS A GRASS ROOTS MEMBER-BASED ORGANIZATION. WE DO NOT COLLECT ANY DUES FROM OUR MEMBERS. OUR BUSINESS MODEL IS UNIQUE IN WE ONLY ASK OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO CBU BY ENGAGING IN THEIR GOVERNMENT. THIS MODEL HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AS CBU HAS GROWN IN MEMBERSHIP CONSISTENTLY OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS TO BECOME THE LARGEST PRO-MULTIPLE USE OF OUR FEDERALLY MANAGED PUBLIC LANDS IN MONTANA. CBU ALSO PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL TO INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN OTHER WESTERN STATES.AS ALWAYS 2019 WAS ANOTHER BUSY YEAR WITH MANY ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS ARISING. THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF PROJECTS AND MATTERS OF INTEREST TO OUR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS:OPPOSE TESTER'S S 1765 WILDERNESS BILL (80,000 ACRES NEW WILDERNESS)REVIEW THE NEW CUSTER GALLATIN FOREST PLAN REVISION (MID-APRIL 2020 RELEASE)REVIEW THE NEW HELENA LEWIS AND CLARK FOREST PLAN REVISION ( MID-APRIL 2020 RELEASE)SUPPORT RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS IN MONTANA HJ 20 WSA RELEASE STUDY BY 2019-2020 LEGISLATURE EQC INTERIM COMMITTEEREVISE ESA AND DEFUND EPAREVISE EAJA (NO ACCOUNTABILITY)LWCF (OPPOSE) (20 BILLION IN THE BANK) (FUNDS GO TO ECO GROUPS)HELENA NATIONAL FOREST PLAN, BLACKFOOT TRAVEL PLAN (SUBMITTED COMMENTS)( FILED OBJECTION)(OBJECTION DENIED) LITIGATION PLANNED CBU CONTRIBUTED $10,000 TO LITIGATION OPPOSE SAGE GROUSE ESA LISTING (FILED COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION)SUPPORTING FOREST IN FOCUS AND GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY PROJECTS TO PROVIDE MORE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS IN ACTIVE TIMBER MANAGEMENT ON FEDERAL LANDSLYNX AND WOLVERINE ESA LISTING (FILED COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO LISTING) ( NOT LISTED) ATTENDED WOLVERINE MEETING IN BOISE FOR STUDY REPORT. STUDY RESULTS SHOW BACK COUNTRY NON-MOTORIZED HAS GREATEST ADVERSE EFFECT ON WOLVERINESOPPOSE FURTHER POISONING OF MONTANA STREAMS AND INTRODUCTION OF WEST SLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT. (MEETING WITH FWP ON CASE BY CASE)WOLF AND GRIZZLY PREDATION AND CONTROL (SUPPORT HUNTING AND TRAPPING) (COMMENTED TO AGENCIES) ((SUPPORT LANDOWNERS) SUPPORT GRIZZLY DELISTING. OPPOSE WOLF HUNTING BUFFER AROUND YELLOWSTONE PARKOPPOSE CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI TRIBE WATER COMPACT IN NW MONTANA PROTECTION OF VESTED WATER RIGHTS (FILED COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BLM TAKING VESTED WATER RIGHTS FROM PROPERTY OWNERS IN NORTHEAST MONTANA)SEE LINE 4B FOR CONTINUED LIST OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WORKING WITH COUNTIES TO IDENTIFY ROADS AND RIGHT-OF-WAYS THAT WOULD QUALIFY FOR RS2477 THAT COME UNDER JURISDICTION OF COUNTIES. (THIS WOULD STOP THE ILLEGAL CLOSING OF HUNDREDS OF MILES OF ROADS IN MONTANA ON FEDERALLY MANAGED PUBLIC LANDS) PROVIDE TRAINING ON COORDINATION TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AFFECT FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS. WORKING WITH NACO (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES) IN WRITING THE COORDINATION HANDBOOK THAT DIRECTS FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES TO COORDINATE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.2015 HJ 13 STUDY OF CLOSED ROADS (OVER 22,000 MILES OF ROADS CLOSED IN MONTANA BY THE FOREST SERVICE ON OUR FEDERALLY MANAGED PUBLIC LANDS SINCE 1995) WORKING WITH MONTANA FWP IN MAPPING SUMMER AND WINTER TRAILS ON OUR FEDERALLY MANAGED PUBLIC LANDS.SUPPORTED PASSAGE OF HB 355 TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR MOTORIZED TRAIL MAINTENANCE, WEED CONTROL, AND SEARCH AND RESCUE.OPPOSE FREE ROAMING BISON IN TAYLOR FORK AND BUCK CREEK IN THE GALLATIN (FWP EIS RELEASED ON WILD BISON RESTORATION (1-1-20) CBU OPPOSEDPROVIDED COMMENTS OPPOSING YEAR-ROUND GRAZING PERMITS ON BLM FOR BISON IN NORTH EAST MONTANA. OPPOSE APR (AMERICAN PRAIRIE RESERVE) PLAN TO REMOVE AGRICULTURE IN NE MONTANA.SUPPORT THE LATE HUNT OR SHOULDER SEASONS FOR ELK IN DISTRICTS OVER POPULATION OBJECTIVES.MEETING WITH FOREST SERVICE, GALLATIN COUNTY, AND STATE OF MONTANA TO DEVELOP SEVERAL PUBLIC SHOOTING RANGE SITES.ACCESS TO MINING CLAIMS AND SUPPORT MINING AND RESOURCE PROJECTS ( TINTINA, ROCK CREEK, MONTANORE, COAL, OIL AND GAS, GRAZING, TIMBER MANAGEMENT.)CBU CONTINUES TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CUSTER GALLATIN WORKING GROUP COLLABORATIVE, A NINE-COUNTY COLLABORATION GROUP.CBU IS A NEW MEMBER OF THE BEDRC, (BIG ELK DIVIDE RESTORATION COMMITTEE) A HELENA LEWIS AND CLARK NF COLLABORATIVE.CBU HIRED A LOBBYIST FOR THE 2019 SESSION OF THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE. WE ADVOCATED AND TESTIFIED ON BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS THAT BENEFIT RESOURCES AND RECREATION ACCESS TO OUR PUBLIC LANDS. THE 90-DAY SESSION ENDED THE END OF APRIL. CBU MET WITH THE FOREST SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES IN 2019 TO DISCUSS TRAIL AND ACCESS ISSUES. TRAIL MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED ON THOUSANDS OF MILES OF TRAIL DURING 2019 THANKS TO OUR THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS. WEED CONTROL IS ONE OF OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE WILDLIFE HABITAT. OUR MEMBERS ALSO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS BY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE CUSTER GALLATIN WORKING GROUP AND THE BIG ELK DIVIDE RESTORATION COLLABORATIVES MEET ONCE EVERY MONTH AND CBU ATTENDS THESE MEETINGS IN AN EFFORT TO BIG FUEL REDUCTION PROJECTS FORWARD AND TO COMPLETION. ALTHOUGH MANY OF THESE PROJECTS CONTINUE TO BE LITIGATED, OUR WORK ON THE COLLABORATIVES HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN COMPLETING MANY OF THESE IMPORTANT PROJECTS. THE CBU TRAILRAISER BANQUET WAS HELD ON MAY 4TH WITH ANOTHER SOLD OUT CROWD. THE GENEROSITY OF ALL WHO ATTENDED MADE THIS YEAR'S EVENT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL BANQUET EVER. AWARDS WERE GIVEN TO OUTSTANDING SUPPORTERS AND MEMBER THAT HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND TO HELP CBU. THE OPEN GATE AWARD IS ONE OF THE PREMIER ITEMS THAT CBU GIVES AWARDS TO AN INDIVIDUAL AT THE BANQUET. THE EVENT FINISHES WITH A DRAWING FOR A NEW ATV DONATED BY ONE OF THE MANUFACTURERS. THE MEMBERS OF CBU ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER LIKE ORGANIZATION HAVE TRAIL MAINTENANCE AND CLEAN UP DAYS AT MANY DIFFERENT LOCATIONS DURING THE SUMMER. WITH THE CURRENT POOR CONDITION OF OUR FOREST CAUSED FROM DISEASE AND LACK OF MANAGEMENT, THE TRAILS ARE IN NEED OF CONSTANT CARE IN REMOVING FALLEN TREES. THESE TRAIL CLEARING AND MAINTENANCE EFFORTS BY CBU AND OTHER CLUBS AND ORGANIZATION BENEFIT THE AGENCY GREATLY AND ARE APPRECIATED BY ALL USERS OF OUR PUBLIC LANDS. WITHOUT SUCH EFFORTS, THESE TRAILS WOULD BECOME UNPASSABLE IN A VERY SHORT TIME.CBU WAS INVITED TO BECOME A BOARD MEMBER OF THE TREASURE STATE RESOURCE COMMITTEE IN JUNE OF 2019 AT THEIR MEETING IN HELENA. THIS ORGANIZATION IS A GROUP OF BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN MONTANA WHO ADVOCATE FOR ACTIVE TIMBER MANAGEMENT, RESPONSIBLE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, AND ACCESS TO OUR PUBLIC LANDS. CBU BROUGHT A GREAT AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE TO THIS ORGANIZATION AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR WORK.OUR ORGANIZATION HELP THE MONTANA TRAIL VEHICLE RIDERS ASSOCIATION WITH THEIR ANNUAL STATE RIDE ON JUNE 28TH THROUGH THE 30TH. BOULDER MONTANA WAS THE LOCATION FOR THIS 3-DAY EVENT. CBU HELPED TO CLEAR AND MARK THE TRAILS BEFORE THE RIDE AND CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR AUCTION TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR THEIR ORGANIZATION. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ATTEND THIS ANNUAL EVENT EVERY YEAR BRINGING AN ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THESE SMALL COMMUNITIES, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE BENEFITS OF ACCESS, AND PROVIDING SAFETY EDUCATION TO THE ATTENDEES.CBU WAS INVITED TO ATTEND AND SPEAK AT THE RALLY IN THE PINES EVENT IN SALMON IDAHO ON JULY 9-14. THIS ANNUAL EVENT WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 800 RIDERS FROM ALL ACROSS THE U.S., CANADA, AND EVEN OTHER COUNTRIES. A CONCERT, PARADE IN SALMON, RODEO, AND BBQ ROUNDED OUT THE EVENT WITH RIDES BOTH GUIDED AND ON YOUR OWN EVERY DAY. CBU SPOKE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING INVOLVED WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ON TRAVEL PLANS, LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN, AND FOREST PLAN REVISIONS. MORE THAN 97% OF THE PUBLIC LAND USERS ACCESS THESE LANDS BY MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION ACCORDING TO THE FOREST SERVICE MVUM STUDY.SEE LINE 4C FOR CONTINUED LIST OF PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

OUR ORGANIZATION ALSO SUPPORTS THE HUNTING AND FISHING INDUSTRIES AS AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DRIVER IN MANY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE WESTERN UNITED STATES. A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF ANY HUNTING OPPORTUNITY IS PROVIDING A SAFE AREA TO TARGET SHOOT OR SIGHT IN YOUR HUNTING RIFLE BEFORE THE SEASON BEGINS. CBU STARTED A PROCESS IN GALLATIN COUNTY IN COOPERATION WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSION, COUNTY SHERIFF, AND FOREST SERVICE TO IDENTIFY, PLAN, AND DEVELOP A SAFE AREA FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A SHOOTING RANGE. WE MET PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT 2019 WITH THESE DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND PREPARED INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS. SEPTEMBER WAS A BUSY MONTH FOR CBU WITH SHOOTING RANGE MEETING, TREASURE STATE RESOURCE ASSOCIATION MEETING, MEETING WITH REGION ONE FOREST SERVICE ON MANAGEMENT OF RECOMMENDED WILDERNESS AREAS, BEDRC COLLABORATIVE, CUSTER GALLATIN WORKING GROUP COLLABORATIVE, SENATOR DAINES ON THE CSKT WATER COMPACT, AND AT THE END OF THE MONTH CBU BEGAN A 5 STATE TOUR OF THE WESTERN STATES TO MEET WITH SEVERAL GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS.CBU HAS HELPED START MANY CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE WEST BY PROVIDING THEM OPTIONS ON ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE, GUIDELINES TO ACTION, MEMBERSHIP DRIVES, AND FUNDING. WE CONTRIBUTE FUNDS TO MANY OF THESE GROUPS TO JUMP START THEIR ORGANIZATIONS. WE ASSIST THEM WITH PROJECTS THAT BENEFIT THEIR GROUPS AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE. THIS YEAR WE TRAVELLED TO UTAH, NEVADA, CALIFORNIA, OREGON AND IDAHO.NOVEMBER, WE ATTENDED THE MONTANA FOREST COLLABORATIVE NETWORK TO SHARE OUR EXPERIENCES IN WORKING WITH SEVERAL COLLABORATIVES. THE MFCN IS A NETWORK OF DIFFERENT COLLABORATIVES WHO DISCUSS THE CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS OF COLLABORATIVES. MOST COLLABORATIVES ARE UNSUCCESSFUL IN THEIR EFFORTS WHILE OTHER HAVE SOME SUCCESS. CBU HAS FOUND THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ARE ONES THAT ARE INCLUSIVE RATHER THAN EXCLUSIVE. WE WILL CONTINUE PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROCESS EVEN THOUGH MOST RESULT IN FUTILE EFFORTS AND A WASTE OF TIME.DECEMBER BROUGHT A CHANGE OF SEASON AND WINTER CHRISTMAS PARTIES BEING HELD BY MANY CLUBS. CBU MAKES AN EFFORT TO ATTEND AS MANY OF THESE EVENTS AS POSSIBLE TO UPDATE THEM ON THE GREAT WORK CBU HAS DONE AND ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE YEAR. WE ALSO ARE VERY THANKFUL TO ALL THESE CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE MANY HOURS OF WORK AND TIME DEDICATED TO THE EFFORTS OF CBU. WITHOUT THE HUNDREDS OF MEMBERS AND THOUSANDS OF SUPPORTERS OF CBU, OUR ORGANIZATION WOULD NEVER HAVE THE SUCCESS AND GROWTH WE SEE EVERY YEAR KEEPING ACCESS TO YOUR PUBLIC LANDS OPEN TO MULTIPLE USE. TO BECOME A MEMBER OF CBU, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.BALANCEDUSE.ORG AND SIGN UP TODAY. KEEP INFORMED, LEARN HOW TO ENGAGE, AND FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR THE MOST RECENT ISSUES CBU IS WORKING ON.

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