Redefining Wilderness: Landscape, Law & Policy

33rd Annual Public Land Law Conference

September 30-October 2, 2009
Missoula, Montana

Proudly presented by The University of Montana's Public Land & Resources Law review.

To register for the conference, click on this link to complete and mail in the conference brochure.

For conference lodging information, click on this link. Lodging can be obtained with our block of rooms until September 15th.

 

Conference Summary

The 33rd Annual Public Land Law Conference brings together leaders from government, industry, academia, the legal and conservation communities and beyond to explore challenges facing public lands. The conference will offer a broad context of national law and policy as well as detailed discussions of critical issues related to federal lands governance in the West and recommendations for how these issues might be addressed.

Attorneys may earn up to 10.25 CLE Credits.

Schedule

Wednesday, September 30 - University Center Theater, UC, 3rd floor

7:00 Keynote address:  by Rick Bass, Author

Thursday, October 1 - University Center, 3rd floor, Room 331

8:00 Registration and coffee

8:30 Conference Introduction

Speaker: Irma Russell, Dean, The University of Montana School of Law

8:45 Session 1: Wilderness and the American Law

Introduction to conference themes and major issues in wilderness law and policy—evolving definitions and standards for protection, response to evolving scientific understanding of natural processes, and challenges of managing landscapes across jurisdictional boundaries.

Speaker: Doug Scott, Director, The Campaign for America's Wilderness.

10:00 Break

10:15 Session 2: Big “W” Wilderness and Other Tools for Landscape Protection

Recent wilderness legislation (Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009), Roadless Rule litigation and current status, observations on tools for protecting undeveloped landscapes through anything other than “big W” wilderness designation.

Panelists:

Chris Barns, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center

Tim Preso, Earthjustice attorney

Scott Brennan, The Wilderness Society

Noon Lunch (provided to paid registrants)

Afternoon:

1:15 Negotiated Wilderness and Community Collaboration

Background of one to two examples of wilderness proposals based on multi-stakeholder negotiations, followed by panel discussion of the pros and cons of this strategy—implications for resource protection, political dynamics, safeguards for public interest and participation processes.

Moderator:  Beth Brennan, Professor, University of Montana School of Law

Panelists:

John Gatchell, Conservation Director, Montana Wilderness Association

Martin Nie, Professor of Natural Resource Policy in the College of Forestry and Conservation, Univ. of Montana.

Debbie Austin, US Forest Service, Lolo National Forest

Peter Landres, Ecologist, Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute

Tom France, National Wildlife Federation

Robyn King, Yaak Valley Forest Council

2:45 Break

3:00 Session 3 Continued

5:00 Reception

Friday, October 2nd - University Center, 3rd floor, Room 331

8:30 Litigation Update

Briefing on recent litigation, legal developments, and emerging legal issues related to wilderness and landscape protection.

Speakers:

Rebecca Smith, Attorney, Missoula, Montana.

Elizabeth Kronk, Professor, The University of Montana School of Law.

9:30 Wilderness and Indian Country

Overview of wilderness and landscape protection approaches on tribal lands, ranging from cultural traditions to formal designations. What lessons can be translated to public land law and policy? How can management strategies be coordinated across jurisdictional boundaries?

Speakers:

Clayton Matt, Attorney, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes.

Pat Smith, Smith & Doherty Law Firm, Missoula, Montana.

10:30 Break

11:00 Wilderness in a Warming West: Challenges Ahead

What aspects of wilderness law and policy might need rethinking in the coming decades to address the likely impacts of climate change on western landscapes? What are the key issues we’re likely to be addressing in a wilderness conference ten years from now?

Speaker: Jack Tuholske, Attorney, Missoula Montana.

Noon: Closing Remarks

12:30 - Conference Concludes

Closing Remarks: Ray Cross, Professor, The University of Montana School of Law and PLRLR Advisor

For more information contact:

Public Land & Resources Law Review
Melissa Hayes, Conference Editor

Lodging Information

Registration information