Just out of curiosity who and how are the FOLBR financed? Their recommendations align with the Blue River Ranch very nicely. The science seems to point towards the pellet feeding as the primary reason for the decline of the Blue River’s health. Boats, rafts and tubers don’t cause obese unhealthy fish. The BVR ranch is primarily responsible for that.
Not unlike many 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, they utilize a combination of community support, (tax deductible) membership contributions and strategic partnerships. In addition, they are clearly supported by BVR, given a number of BVR employees are board members. In many ways, they simply feel like a landowner HOA masquerading as a non-profit. Typically, on the level non-profits aren't trying to impact local and state public resource policy as directly as this group.
You can have a look at their 2024 revenue and expenses through ProPublica:
The Lower Blue situation seems so emblematic of what's going on across public lands. Much appreciation for those that continue to press for our rights as citizens, and the rights of the river.
Agreed, and not exclusive to angling either. “Land locked” public lands are an issue of contention for hunters and outdoorsman. Millions of acres of public land across the west are completely inaccessible because they’re surrounded by private land… essentially making those areas “private”. Corner crossing is a big debate right now to make these accessible.
Parallels the current situation on the Lower Blue in many ways.
100%. And, inshallah, that debate seems to be becoming more and more settled toward the public.
I think one of the most meaningful technological advancements for us explorer types is the public lands / ownership layering available in some of the better apps. And the success of similar fishing products will depend on bringing that same layer of specificity to more abstract concepts like high water mark or mean high tide.
Nick, completely agree - a OHWM (high-water) layer pulled from factual data on public waters (rivers) in states like MT could, theoretically, mitigate tons of angler vs. land owner conflicts. Land owners have historically relied on this vague and hard to access information as a method to bully and misinform the the public. The upper Madison River is a prime example. ~Andrew
Thank you for your reporting. It’s perfectly obvious what the problem is. Rich ass bastards harming our fisheries and our access. These are the same pricks who condemn people for being ecoterrorists when they fight back.
Just out of curiosity who and how are the FOLBR financed? Their recommendations align with the Blue River Ranch very nicely. The science seems to point towards the pellet feeding as the primary reason for the decline of the Blue River’s health. Boats, rafts and tubers don’t cause obese unhealthy fish. The BVR ranch is primarily responsible for that.
Additionally there are board members on FOLBR that are paid employees of Blue Valley Ranch. Including Paul Tudor Jones’ personal paid biologist.
John,
Not unlike many 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, they utilize a combination of community support, (tax deductible) membership contributions and strategic partnerships. In addition, they are clearly supported by BVR, given a number of BVR employees are board members. In many ways, they simply feel like a landowner HOA masquerading as a non-profit. Typically, on the level non-profits aren't trying to impact local and state public resource policy as directly as this group.
You can have a look at their 2024 revenue and expenses through ProPublica:
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/260037637
~Andrew
The Lower Blue situation seems so emblematic of what's going on across public lands. Much appreciation for those that continue to press for our rights as citizens, and the rights of the river.
Agreed, and not exclusive to angling either. “Land locked” public lands are an issue of contention for hunters and outdoorsman. Millions of acres of public land across the west are completely inaccessible because they’re surrounded by private land… essentially making those areas “private”. Corner crossing is a big debate right now to make these accessible.
Parallels the current situation on the Lower Blue in many ways.
100%. And, inshallah, that debate seems to be becoming more and more settled toward the public.
I think one of the most meaningful technological advancements for us explorer types is the public lands / ownership layering available in some of the better apps. And the success of similar fishing products will depend on bringing that same layer of specificity to more abstract concepts like high water mark or mean high tide.
Nick, completely agree - a OHWM (high-water) layer pulled from factual data on public waters (rivers) in states like MT could, theoretically, mitigate tons of angler vs. land owner conflicts. Land owners have historically relied on this vague and hard to access information as a method to bully and misinform the the public. The upper Madison River is a prime example. ~Andrew
Thank you for this report! I am sharing everywhere!
Epic read, sounds like a job for the monkey wrench gang. If I still lived in the area I would be furious. I am. Privatization is not the way.
Is there anything one can do, even as a non-resident?
Thank you for your reporting. It’s perfectly obvious what the problem is. Rich ass bastards harming our fisheries and our access. These are the same pricks who condemn people for being ecoterrorists when they fight back.