TY 2024 Form 990

- TIN:

SCHEDULE A
(Form 990)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Public Charity Status and Public Support

Complete if the organization is a section 501(c)(3) organization or a section 4947(a)(1) nonexempt charitable trust.
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Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
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Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2024

Open to Public
Inspection

Name of the organization

CITIZENS FOR BALANCED USE

Employer identification number

20-2858176

Part I

Reason for Public Charity Status (All organizations must complete this part.) See instructions.

The organization is not a private foundation because it is: (For lines 1 through 12, check only one box.)

A church, convention of churches, or association of churches described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(i).

A school described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii). (Attach Schedule E (Form 990).)

A hospital or a cooperative hospital service organization described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii).

A medical research organization operated in conjunction with a hospital described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iii). Enter the hospital's name, city, and state:

An organization operated for the benefit of a college or university owned or operated by a governmental unit described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(iv). (Complete Part II.)

A federal, state, or local government or governmental unit described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(v).

An organization that normally receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or from the general public described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). (Complete Part II.)

A community trust described in section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). (Complete Part II.)

An agricultural research organization described in 170(b)(1)(A)(ix) operated in conjunction with a land-grant college or university or a non-land grant college of agriculture. See instructions. Enter the name, city, and state of the college or university:

An organization that normally receives: (1) more than 33 1/3% of its support from contributions, membership fees, and gross receipts from activities related to its exempt functions—subject to certain exceptions, and (2) no more than 33 1/3% of its support from gross investment income and unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 tax) from businesses acquired by the organization after June 30, 1975. See section 509(a)(2). (Complete Part III.)

An organization organized and operated exclusively to test for public safety. See section 509(a)(4).

An organization organized and operated exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, or to carry out the purposes of one or more publicly supported organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or section 509(a)(2). See section 509(a)(3). Check the box on lines 12a through 12d that describes the type of supporting organization and complete lines 12e, 12f, and 12g.

Type I. A supporting organization operated, supervised, or controlled by its supported organization(s), typically by giving the supported organization(s) the power to regularly appoint or elect a majority of the directors or trustees of the supporting organization. You must complete Part IV, Sections A and B.

Type II. A supporting organization supervised or controlled in connection with its supported organization(s), by having control or management of the supporting organization vested in the same persons that control or manage the supported organization(s). You must complete Part IV, Sections A and C.

Type III functionally integrated. A supporting organization operated in connection with, and functionally integrated with, its supported organization(s) (see instructions). You must complete Part IV, Sections A, D, and E.

Type III non-functionally integrated. A supporting organization operated in connection with its supported organization(s) that is not functionally integrated. The organization generally must satisfy a distribution requirement and an attentiveness requirement (see instructions). You must complete Part IV, Sections A and D, and Part V.

Check this box if the organization received a written determination from the IRS that it is a Type I, Type II, Type III functionally integrated, or Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organization.

Enter the number of supported organizations ...............................

Provide the following information about the supported organization(s).

(i) Name of supported organization	(ii) EIN	(iv) Is the organization listed in your governing document?		(v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions)	(vi) Amount of other support (see instructions)
(i) Name of supported organization	(ii) EIN	Yes	No	(v) Amount of monetary support (see instructions)	(vi) Amount of other support (see instructions)


Total

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for
Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Cat. No. 11285F

Schedule A (Form 990) 2024

Page 2

Part II

Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Sections 170(b)(1)(A)(iv) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
(Complete only if you checked the box on line 5, 7, or 8 of Part I or if the organization failed to qualify under Part III. If the organization failed to qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part III.)

Section A. Public Support

Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)		(a) 2020	(b) 2021	(c) 2022	(d) 2023	(e) 2024	(f) Total
1	Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grant.") ..
2	Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf ....
3	The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge..
4	Total. Add lines 1 through 3
5	The portion of total contributions by each person (other than a governmental unit or publicly supported organization) included on line 1 that exceeds 2% of the amount shown on line 11, column (f) ..
6	Public support. Subtract line 5 from line 4.

Section B. Total Support

Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)		(a) 2020	(b) 2021	(c) 2022	(d) 2023	(e) 2024	(f) Total
7	Amounts from line 4..
8	Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources...
9	Net income from unrelated business activities, whether or not the business is regularly carried on..
10	Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.)..
11	Total support. Add lines 7 through 10

Gross receipts from related activities, etc. (see instructions) ..................

First 5 years. If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a section 501(c)(3) organization, check this box and stop here ........................................ right arrow

Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage

Public support percentage for 2024 (line 6, column (f) divided by line 11, column (f)) .........

Public support percentage for 2023 Schedule A, Part II, line 14 ...............

16a

33 1/3% support test—2024. If the organization did not check the box on line 13, and line 14 is 33 1/3% or more, check this box
and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ....................... right arrow

33 1/3% support test—2023. If the organization did not check a box on line 13 or 16a, and line 15 is 33 1/3% or more, check this
box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ..................... right arrow

17a

10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2024. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, or 16b, and line 14 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain in Part VI how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ............ right arrow

10%-facts-and-circumstances test—2023. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, or 17a, and line 15 is 10% or more, and if the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test, check this box and stop here. Explain in Part VI how the organization meets the "facts-and-circumstances" test. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ............ right arrow

Private foundation. If the organization did not check a box on line 13, 16a, 16b, 17a, or 17b, check this box and see
instructions ..................................................... right arrow

Schedule A (Form 990) 2024

Page 3

Part III

Support Schedule for Organizations Described in Section 509(a)(2)
(Complete only if you checked the box on line 10 of Part I or if the organization failed to qualify under Part II. If the organization fails to qualify under the tests listed below, please complete Part II.)

Section A. Public Support

Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)		(a) 2020	(b) 2021	(c) 2022	(d) 2023	(e) 2024	(f) Total
1	Gifts, grants, contributions, and membership fees received. (Do not include any "unusual grants.") .	98,437	52,694	119,952	94,573	100,969	466,625
2	Gross receipts from admissions, merchandise sold or services performed, or facilities furnished in any activity that is related to the organization's tax-exempt purpose
3	Gross receipts from activities that are not an unrelated trade or business under section 513 .....		34,890	94,375	76,790	78,282	284,337
4	Tax revenues levied for the organization's benefit and either paid to or expended on its behalf...
5	The value of services or facilities furnished by a governmental unit to the organization without charge
6	Total. Add lines 1 through 5	98,437	87,584	214,327	171,363	179,251	750,962
7a	Amounts included on lines 1, 2, and 3 received from disqualified persons						0
b	Amounts included on lines 2 and 3 received from other than disqualified persons that exceed the greater of $5,000 or 1% of the amount on line 13 for the year.						0
c	Add lines 7a and 7b..						0
8	Public support. (Subtract line 7c from line 6.)						750,962

Section B. Total Support

Calendar year (or fiscal year beginning in)		(a) 2020	(b) 2021	(c) 2022	(d) 2023	(e) 2024	(f) Total
9	Amounts from line 6...	98,437	87,584	214,327	171,363	179,251	750,962
10a	Gross income from interest, dividends, payments received on securities loans, rents, royalties and income from similar sources..
b	Unrelated business taxable income (less section 511 taxes) from businesses acquired after June 30, 1975.
c	Add lines 10a and 10b.
11	Net income from unrelated business activities not included on line 10b, whether or not the business is regularly carried on.
12	Other income. Do not include gain or loss from the sale of capital assets (Explain in Part VI.) ..
13	Total support. (Add lines 9, 10c, 11, and 12.)..	98,437	87,584	214,327	171,363	179,251	750,962

First 5 years. If the Form 990 is for the organization's first, second, third, fourth, or fifth tax year as a section 501(c)(3) organization, check this box and stop here................................................. right arrow

Section C. Computation of Public Support Percentage

Public support percentage for 2024 (line 8, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f)) .........

100.000 %

Public support percentage from 2023 Schedule A, Part III, line 15 ...............

99.960 %

Section D. Computation of Investment Income Percentage

Investment income percentage for 2024 (line 10c, column (f) divided by line 13, column (f)) ......

0 %

Investment income percentage from 2023 Schedule A, Part III, line 17 .............

0.040 %

19a

33 1/3% support tests-2024. If the organization did not check the box on line 14, and line 15 is more than 33 1/3%, and line 17 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ....... right arrow

33 1/3 % support tests—2023. If the organization did not check a box on line 14 or line 19a, and line 16 is more than 33 1/3% and line 18 is not more than 33 1/3%, check this box and stop here. The organization qualifies as a publicly supported organization ..... right arrow

Private foundation. If the organization did not check a box on line 14, 19a, or 19b, check this box and see instructions .... right arrow

Schedule A (Form 990) 2024

Page 4

Part IV

Supporting Organizations

(Complete only if you checked a box on line 12 of Part I. If you checked box 12a, of Part I, complete Sections A and B. If you checked box 12b, of Part I, complete Sections A and C. If you checked box 12c, of Part I, complete Sections A, D, and E. If you checked box12d, of Part I, complete Sections A and D, and complete Part V.)

Section A. All Supporting Organizations

Yes

Are all of the organization’s supported organizations listed by name in the organization’s governing documents?
If "No," describe in Part VI how the supported organizations are designated. If designated by class or purpose,
describe the designation. If historic and continuing relationship, explain.

Did the organization have any supported organization that does not have an IRS determination of status under section 509(a)(1) or (2)? If "Yes," explain in Part VI how the organization determined that the supported organization was described in section 509(a)(1) or (2).

Did the organization have a supported organization described in section 501(c)(4), (5), or (6)? If "Yes," answer lines 3b and 3c below.

Did the organization confirm that each supported organization qualified under section 501(c)(4), (5), or (6) and satisfied the public support tests under section 509(a)(2)? If "Yes," describe in Part VI when and how the organization made the determination.

Did the organization ensure that all support to such organizations was used exclusively for section 170(c)(2)(B) purposes? If "Yes," explain in Part VI what controls the organization put in place to ensure such use.

Was any supported organization not organized in the United States ("foreign supported organization")? If “Yes” and if you checked box 12a or 12b in Part I, answer lines 4b and 4c below.

Did the organization have ultimate control and discretion in deciding whether to make grants to the foreign supported organization? If “Yes,” describe in Part VI how the organization had such control and discretion despite being controlled or supervised by or in connection with its supported organizations.

Did the organization support any foreign supported organization that does not have an IRS determination under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(1) or (2)? If “Yes,” explain in Part VI what controls the organization used to ensure that all support to the foreign supported organization was used exclusively for section 170(c)(2)(B) purposes.

Did the organization add, substitute, or remove any supported organizations during the tax year? If “Yes,” answer lines 5b and 5c below (if applicable). Also, provide detail in Part VI, including (i) the names and EIN numbers of the supported organizations added, substituted, or removed; (ii) the reasons for each such action; (iii) the authority under the organization's organizing document authorizing such action; and (iv) how the action was accomplished (such as by amendment to the organizing document).

Type I or Type II only. Was any added or substituted supported organization part of a class already designated in the organization's organizing document?

Substitutions only. Was the substitution the result of an event beyond the organization's control?

Did the organization provide support (whether in the form of grants or the provision of services or facilities) to anyone other than (i) its supported organizations, (ii) individuals that are part of the charitable class benefited by one or more of its supported organizations, or (iii) other supporting organizations that also support or benefit one or more of the filing organization’s supported organizations? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.

Did the organization provide a grant, loan, compensation, or other similar payment to a substantial contributor (defined in section 4958(c)(3)(C)), a family member of a substantial contributor, or a 35% controlled entity with regard to a substantial contributor? If “Yes,” complete Part I of Schedule L (Form 990) .

Did the organization make a loan to a disqualified person (as defined in section 4958) not described on line 7? If “Yes,” complete Part I of Schedule L (Form 990).

Was the organization controlled directly or indirectly at any time during the tax year by one or more disqualified persons, as defined in section 4946 (other than foundation managers and organizations described in section 509(a)(1) or (2))? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.

Did one or more disqualified persons (as defined on line 9a) hold a controlling interest in any entity in which the supporting organization had an interest? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.

Did a disqualified person (as defined on line 9a) have an ownership interest in, or derive any personal benefit from, assets in which the supporting organization also had an interest? If “Yes,” provide detail in Part VI.

10a

Was the organization subject to the excess business holdings rules of section 4943 because of section 4943(f) (regarding certain Type II supporting organizations, and all Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organizations)? If “Yes,” answer line 10b below.

10a

Did the organization have any excess business holdings in the tax year? (Use Schedule C, Form 4720, to determine whether the organization had excess business holdings).

10b

Schedule A (Form 990) 2024

Page 5

Part IV

Supporting Organizations (continued)

Yes

Has the organization accepted a gift or contribution from any of the following persons?

A person who directly or indirectly controls, either alone or together with persons described on lines 11b and 11c below, the governing body of a supported organization?

11a

A family member of a person described on 11a above?

11b

A 35% controlled entity of a person described on line 11a or 11b above? If “Yes” to 11a, 11b, or 11c, provide detail in Part VI.

11c

Section B. Type I Supporting Organizations

Yes

Did the officers, directors, trustees, or membership of one or more supported organizations have the power to regularly appoint or elect at least a majority of the organization’s directors or trustees at all times during the tax year? If “No,” describe in Part VI how the supported organization(s) effectively operated, supervised, or controlled the organization’s activities. If the organization had more than one supported organization, describe how the powers to appoint and/or remove directors or trustees were allocated among the supported organizations and what conditions or restrictions, if any, applied to such powers during the tax year.

Did the organization operate for the benefit of any supported organization other than the supported organization(s) that operated, supervised, or controlled the supporting organization? If “Yes,” explain in Part VI how providing such benefit carried out the purposes of the supported organization(s) that operated, supervised or controlled the supporting organization.

Section C. Type II Supporting Organizations

Yes

Were a majority of the organization’s directors or trustees during the tax year also a majority of the directors or trustees of each of the organization’s supported organization(s)? If “No,” describe in Part VI how control or management of the supporting organization was vested in the same persons that controlled or managed the supported organization(s).

Section D. All Type III Supporting Organizations

Yes

Did the organization provide to each of its supported organizations, by the last day of the fifth month of the organization’s tax year, (i) a written notice describing the type and amount of support provided during the prior tax year, (ii) a copy of the Form 990 that was most recently filed as of the date of notification, and (iii) copies of the organization’s governing documents in effect on the date of notification, to the extent not previously provided?

Were any of the organization’s officers, directors, or trustees either (i) appointed or elected by the supported organization(s) or (ii) serving on the governing body of a supported organization? If "No," explain in Part VI how the organization maintained a close and continuous working relationship with the supported organization(s).

By reason of the relationship described in line 2 above, did the organization’s supported organizations have a significant voice in the organization’s investment policies and in directing the use of the organization’s income or assets at all times during the tax year? If "Yes," describe in Part VI the role the organization’s supported organizations played in this regard.

Section E. Type III Functionally-Integrated Supporting Organizations

Check the box next to the method that the organization used to satisfy the Integral Part Test during the year (see instructions):

The organization satisfied the Activities Test. Complete line 2 below.

The organization is the parent of each of its supported organizations. Complete line 3 below.

The organization supported a governmental entity. Describe in Part VI how you supported a government entity (see instructions)

Activities Test. Answer lines 2a and 2b below.

Yes

Did substantially all of the organization’s activities during the tax year directly further the exempt purposes of the supported organization(s) to which the organization was responsive? If "Yes," then in Part VI identify those supported organizations and explain how these activities directly furthered their exempt purposes, how the organization was responsive to those supported organizations, and how the organization determined that these activities constituted substantially all of its activities.

Did the activities described on line 2a, above constitute activities that, but for the organization’s involvement, one or more of the organization’s supported organization(s) would have been engaged in? If "Yes," explain in Part VI the reasons for the organization’s position that its supported organization(s) would have engaged in these activities but for the organization’s involvement.

Parent of Supported Organizations. Answer lines 3a and 3b below.

Did the organization have the power to regularly appoint or elect a majority of the officers, directors, or trustees of each of the supported organizations?If "Yes" or "No", provide details in Part VI.

Did the organization exercise a substantial degree of direction over the policies, programs and activities of each of its supported organizations? If "Yes," describe in Part VI. the role played by the organization in this regard.

Schedule A (Form 990) 2024

Page 6

Part V

Type III Non-Functionally Integrated 509(a)(3) Supporting Organizations

Check here if the organization satisfied the Integral Part Test as a qualifying trust on Nov. 20, 1970 (explain in Part VI). See instructions. All other Type III non-functionally integrated supporting organizations must complete Sections A through E.

	Section A - Adjusted Net Income		(A) Prior Year	(B) Current Year (optional)
1	Net short-term capital gain	1
2	Recoveries of prior-year distributions	2
3	Other gross income (see instructions)	3
4	Add lines 1 through 3	4
5	Depreciation and depletion	5
6	Portion of operating expenses paid or incurred for production or collection of gross income or for management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for production of income (see instructions)	6
7	Other expenses (see instructions)	7
8	Adjusted Net Income (subtract lines 5, 6 and 7 from line 4)	8

	Section B - Minimum Asset Amount		(A) Prior Year	(B) Current Year (optional)
1	Aggregate fair market value of all non-exempt-use assets (see instructions for short tax year or assets held for part of year):	1
a	Average monthly value of securities	1a
b	Average monthly cash balances	1b
c	Fair market value of other non-exempt-use assets	1c
d	Total (add lines 1a, 1b, and 1c)	1d
e	Discount claimed for blockage or other factors (explain in detail in Part VI):
2	Acquisition indebtedness applicable to non-exempt use assets	2
3	Subtract line 2 from line 1d	3
4	Cash deemed held for exempt use. Enter 0.015 of line 3 (for greater amount, see instructions).	4
5	Net value of non-exempt-use assets (subtract line 4 from line 3)	5
6	Multiply line 5 by 0.035	6
7	Recoveries of prior-year distributions	7
8	Minimum Asset Amount (add line 7 to line 6)	8

	Section C - Distributable Amount		Current Year
1	Adjusted net income for prior year (from Section A, line 8, Column A)	1
2	Enter 85% of line 1	2
3	Minimum asset amount for prior year (from Section B, line 8, Column A)	3
4	Enter greater of line 2 or line 3	4
5	Income tax imposed in prior year	5
6	Distributable Amount. Subtract line 5 from line 4, unless subject to emergency temporary reduction (see instructions)	6

Check here if the current year is the organization's first as a non-functionally-integrated Type III supporting organization (see instructions)

Schedule A (Form 990) 2024

Page 7

Part V

Type III Non-Functionally Integrated 509(a)(3) Supporting Organizations(continued)

Section D - Distributions		Current Year
1 Amounts paid to supported organizations to accomplish exempt purposes	1
2 Amounts paid to perform activity that directly furthers exempt purposes of supported organizations, in excess of income from activity	2
3 Administrative expenses paid to accomplish exempt purposes of supported organizations	3
4 Amounts paid to acquire exempt-use assets	4
5 Qualified set-aside amounts (prior IRS approval required - provide details in Part VI)	5
6 Other distributions (describe in Part VI). See instructions	6
7Total annual distributions. Add lines 1 through 6.	7
8 Distributions to attentive supported organizations to which the organization is responsive (provide details in Part VI). See instructions	8
9 Distributable amount for 2024 from Section C, line 6	9
10 Line 8 amount divided by Line 9 amount	10

Section E - Distribution Allocations (see instructions)		(i) Excess Distributions	(ii) Underdistributions Pre-2024	(iii) Distributable Amount for 2024
1 Distributable amount for 2024 from Section C, line 6
2 Underdistributions, if any, for years prior to 2024 (reasonable cause required-- explain in Part VI). See instructions.
3 Excess distributions carryover, if any, to 2024:
a From 2019.......
b From 2020.......
c From 2021.......
d From 2022.......
e From 2023.......
fTotal of lines 3a through e
g Applied to underdistributions of prior years
h Applied to 2024 distributable amount
i Carryover from 2019 not applied (see instructions)
j Remainder. Subtract lines 3g, 3h, and 3i from line 3f.
4Distributions for 2024 from Section D, line 7:
$
a Applied to underdistributions of prior years
b Applied to 2024 distributable amount
c Remainder. Subtract lines 4a and 4b from line 4.
5 Remaining underdistributions for years prior to 2024, if any. Subtract lines 3g and 4a from line 2. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions.
6 Remaining underdistributions for 2024. Subtract lines 3h and 4b from line 1. If the amount is greater than zero, explain in Part VI. See instructions.
7 Excess distributions carryover to 2025. Add lines 3j and 4c.
8 Breakdown of line 7:
a Excess from 2020.....
b Excess from 2021.....
c Excess from 2022.....
d Excess from 2023.....
e Excess from 2024.....

Schedule A (Form 990) (2024)

Schedule A (Form 990) 2024

Page 8

Part VI

Supplemental Information. Provide the explanations required by Part II, line 10; Part II, line 17a or 17b; Part III, line 12; Part IV, Section A, lines 1, 2, 3b, 3c, 4b, 4c, 5a, 6, 9a, 9b, 9c, 11a, 11b, and 11c; Part IV, Section B, lines 1 and 2; Part IV, Section C, line 1; Part IV, Section D, lines 2 and 3; Part IV, Section E, lines 1c, 2a, 2b, 3a and 3b; Part V, line 1; Part V, Section B, line 1e; Part V Section D, lines 5, 6, and 8; and Part V, Section E, lines 2, 5, and 6. Also complete this part for any additional information. (See instructions).

Facts And Circumstances Test

Return Reference	Explanation

Schedule A (Form 990) 2024

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE D
(Form 990)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Supplemental Financial Statements

Complete if the organization answered "Yes," on Form 990,
Part IV, line 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 12a, or 12b.
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Attach to Form 990.
right arrow

Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.

OMB No. 1545-0047

Open to Public Inspection

Name of the organization

CITIZENS FOR BALANCED USE

Employer identification number

20-2858176

Part I

Organizations Maintaining Donor Advised Funds or Other Similar Funds or Accounts. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, line 6.

		(a) Donor advised funds	(b) Funds and other accounts
1	Total number at end of year .........
2	Aggregate value of contributions to (during year)
3	Aggregate value of grants from (during year)
4	Aggregate value at end of year ........

Did the organization inform all donors and donor advisors in writing that the assets held in donor advised funds are the organization’s property, subject to the organization’s exclusive legal control? ............

Yes No

Did the organization inform all grantees, donors, and donor advisors in writing that grant funds can be used only for charitable purposes and not for the benefit of the donor or donor advisor, or for any other purpose conferring impermissible private benefit? ...................................

Yes No

Part II

Conservation Easements.
Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, line 7.

Purpose(s) of conservation easements held by the organization (check all that apply).

Preservation of land for public use (e.g., recreation or education) Preservation of an historically important land area

Protection of natural habitat Preservation of a certified historic structure

Preservation of open space

Complete lines 2a through 2d if the organization held a qualified conservation contribution in the form of a conservation easement on the last day of the tax year.


a	Total number of conservation easements ......................	2a
b	Total acreage restricted by conservation easements ....................	2b
c	Number of conservation easements on a certified historic structure included in (a) .....	2c
d	Number of conservation easements included in (c) acquired after July 25, 2006, and not on a historic structure listed in the National Register ...	2d

Number of conservation easements modified, transferred, released, extinguished, or terminated by the organization during the
tax year right arrow

Number of states where property subject to conservation easement is located right arrow

Does the organization have a written policy regarding the periodic monitoring, inspection, handling of violations, and enforcement of the conservation easements it holds? ............

Yes No

Staff and volunteer hours devoted to monitoring, inspecting, handling of violations, and enforcing conservation easements during the year
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Amount of expenses incurred in monitoring, inspecting, handling of violations, and enforcing conservation easements during the year
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Does each conservation easement reported on line 2(d) above satisfy the requirements of section 170(h)(4)(B)(i) and section 170(h)(4)(B)(ii)? .............................

Yes No

In Part XIII, describe how the organization reports conservation easements in its revenue and expense statement, and
balance sheet, and include, if applicable, the text of the footnote to the organization’s financial statements that describes
the organization’s accounting for conservation easements.

Part III

Organizations Maintaining Collections of Art, Historical Treasures, or Other Similar Assets.
Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, line 8.

If the organization elected, as permitted under FASB ASC 958, not to report in its revenue statement and balance sheet works of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets held for public exhibition, education, or research in furtherance of public service, provide, in Part XIII, the text of the footnote to its financial statements that describes these items.

If the organization elected, as permitted under FASB ASC 958, to report in its revenue statement and balance sheet works of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets held for public exhibition, education, or research in furtherance of public service, provide the following amounts relating to these items:

(i)

Revenue included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 1 ......................... right arrow

(ii)

Assets included in Form 990, Part X ............................... right arrow

If the organization received or held works of art, historical treasures, or other similar assets for financial gain, provide the
following amounts required to be reported under FASB ASC 958 relating to these items:

Revenue included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 1 .......................... right arrow

Assets included in Form 990, Part X ............................... right arrow

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.

Cat. No. 52283D

Schedule D (Form 990) (Rev. 1-2025)

Page 2

Part III

Organizations Maintaining Collections of Art, Historical Treasures, or Other Similar Assets (continued)

Using the organization’s acquisition, accession, and other records, check any of the following that are a significant use of its collection items (check all that apply):

Public exhibition

Loan or exchange programs

Scholarly research

Other

Preservation for future generations

Provide a description of the organization’s collections and explain how they further the organization’s exempt purpose in
Part XIII.

During the year, did the organization solicit or receive donations of art, historical treasures or other similar
assets to be sold to raise funds rather than to be maintained as part of the organization’s collection?...

Yes No

Part IV

Escrow and Custodial Arrangements. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, line 9, or reported an amount on Form 990, Part X, line 21.

Is the organization an agent, trustee, custodian or other intermediary for contributions or other assets not
included on Form 990, Part X? ....................................

Yes No


b	If "Yes," explain the arrangement in Part XIII and complete the following table:		Amount
c	Beginning balance .............................	1c
d	Additions during the year ............................	1d
e	Distributions during the year ..........................	1e
f	Ending balance ................................	1f

Did the organization include an amount on Form 990, Part X, line 21, for escrow or custodial account liability? ...

Yes No

If "Yes," explain the arrangement in Part XIII. Check here if the explanation has been provided in Part XIII ....

Part V

Endowment Funds.
Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, line 10.

		(a) Current year	(b) Prior year	(c) Two years back	(d) Three years back	(e) Four years back

1a	Beginning of year balance ....
b	Contributions ...
c	Net investment earnings, gains, and losses
d	Grants or scholarships ...
e	Other expenditures for facilities and programs ...
f	Administrative expenses ....
g	End of year balance ......

Provide the estimated percentage of the current year end balance (line 1g, column (a)) held as:

Board designated or quasi-endowment right arrow

Permanent endowment right arrow

Term endowment right arrow

The percentages on lines 2a, 2b, and 2c should equal 100%.

Are there endowment funds not in the possession of the organization that are held and administered for the
organization by:

Yes

(i) Unrelated organizations .................

3a(i)

(ii) Related organizations .................

3a(ii)

If "Yes" on 3a(ii), are the related organizations listed as required on Schedule R? .........

Describe in Part XIII the intended uses of the organization's endowment funds.

Part VI

Land, Buildings, and Equipment.
Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, line 11a. See Form 990, Part X, line 10.

Description of property		(a) Cost or other basis (investment)	(b) Cost or other basis (other)	(c) Accumulated depreciation	(d) Book value

1a	Land .....
b	Buildings ....
c	Leasehold improvements
d	Equipment ....	28,510	20,741	7,769
e	Other .....
Total. Add lines 1a through 1e. (Column (d) must equal Form 990, Part X, column (B), line 10(c).)..				7,769

Schedule D (Form 990) (Rev. 1-2025)

Page 3

Part VII

Investments - Other Securities.
Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, line 11b. See Form 990, Part X, line 12.

(a) Description of security or category (including name of security)	(b) Book value	(c) Method of valuation: Cost or end-of-year market value
(1) Financial derivatives.........
(2) Closely-held equity interests........
(3)Other
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)
(F)
(G)
(H)
Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col. (B) line 12.)

Part VIII

Investments - Program Related. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' on Form 990, Part IV, line 11c. See Form 990, Part X, line 13.

(a) Description of investment	(b) Book value	(c) Method of valuation: Cost or end-of-year market value

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col.(B) line 13.)

Part IX

Other Assets.
Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' on Form 990, Part IV, line 11d. See Form 990, Part X, line 15.

(a) Description				(b) Book value

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col.(B) line 15.)...........

Part X

Other Liabilities.
Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' on Form 990, Part IV, line 11e or 11f. See Form 990, Part X, line 25.

1.(a) Description of liability	(b) Book value
(1) Federal income taxes









Total. (Column (b) must equal Form 990, Part X, col.(B) line 25.)
2. Liability for uncertain tax positions. In Part XIII, provide the text of the footnote to the organization's financial statements that reports the organization's liability for uncertain tax positions under FIN 48 (ASC 740). Check here if the text of the footnote has been provided in Part XIII

Schedule D (Form 990) (Rev. 1-2025)

Page 4

Part XI Reconciliation of Revenue per Audited Financial Statements With Revenue per Return. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' on Form 990, Part IV, line 12a.
1	Total revenue, gains, and other support per audited financial statements .......		1
2	Amounts included on line 1 but not on Form 990, Part VIII, line 12:
a	Net unrealized gains (losses) on investments ....	2a
b	Donated services and use of facilities .........	2b
c	Recoveries of prior year grants ...........	2c
d	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ...........	2d
e	Add lines 2a through 2d .....................		2e
3	Subtract line 2e from line 1..................		3
4	Amounts included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 12, but not on line 1:
a	Investment expenses not included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 7b .	4a
b	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ...........	4b
c	Add lines 4a and 4b....................		4c
5	Total revenue. Add lines 3 and 4c. (This must equal Form 990, Part I, line 12.) ......		5

Part XII Reconciliation of Expenses per Audited Financial Statements With Expenses per Return. Complete if the organization answered 'Yes' on Form 990, Part IV, line 12a.
1	Total expenses and losses per audited financial statements ...........		1
2	Amounts included on line 1 but not on Form 990, Part IX, line 25:
a	Donated services and use of facilities .........	2a
b	Prior year adjustments ............	2b
c	Other losses ................	2c
d	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ...........	2d
e	Add lines 2a through 2d....................		2e
3	Subtract line 2e from line 1...................		3
4	Amounts included on Form 990, Part IX, line 25, but not on line 1:
a	Investment expenses not included on Form 990, Part VIII, line 7b ..	4a
b	Other (Describe in Part XIII.) ...........	4b
c	Add lines 4a and 4b.....................		4c
5	Total expenses. Add lines 3 and 4c. (This must equal Form 990, Part I, line 18.) ......		5

Part XIII

Supplemental Information

Provide the descriptions required for Part II, lines 3, 5, and 9; Part III, lines 1a and 4; Part lV, lines 1b and 2b; Part V, line 4; Part X, line 2; Part XI, lines 2d and 4b; and Part XII, lines 2d and 4b. Also complete this part to provide any additional information.

Return Reference	Explanation

Schedule D (Form 990) (Rev. 1-2025)

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE G (Form 990)
(Rev. January 2025)

Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Supplemental Information Regarding
Fundraising or Gaming Activities

Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, lines 17, 18, or 19, or if the organization entered more than $15,000 on Form 990-EZ, line 6a. right arrow

Attach to Form 990 or Form 990-EZ.
right arrow

Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.

OMB No. 1545-0047

Open to Public Inspection

Name of the organization
CITIZENS FOR BALANCED USE

Employer identification number

20-2858176

Part I

Fundraising Activities.Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, line 17.

Form 990-EZ filers are not required to complete this part.

Indicate whether the organization raised funds through any of the following activities. Check all that apply.

a	Mail solicitations	e	Solicitation of non-government grants
b	Internet and email solicitations	f	Solicitation of government grants
c	Phone solicitations	g	Special fundraising events
d	In-person solicitations

Did the organization have a written or oral agreement with any individual (including officers, directors, trustees

or key employees listed in Form 990, Part VII) or entity in connection with professional fundraising services?

YesNo

If "Yes," list the 10 highest paid individuals or entities (fundraisers) pursuant to agreements under which the fundraiser is
to be compensated at least $5,000 by the organization.

(i) Name and address of individual or entity (fundraiser)	(iii) Did fundraiser have custody or control of contributions?
	Yes	No










Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

List all states in which the organization is registered or licensed to solicit contributions or has been notified it is exempt from registration or licensing.

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Cat. No. 50083H

Schedule G (Form 990) (Rev. 1-2025)

Page 2

Part II

Fundraising Events. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, line 18, or reported more than $15,000 of fundraising event contributions and gross income on Form 990-EZ, lines 1 and 6b. List events with gross receipts greater than $5,000.

		(a) Event #1 ANNUAL BANQUET (event type)	(b) Event #2 (event type)	(c) Other events (total number)	(d) Total events (add col. (a) through col. (c))
1	Gross receipts . . . . .	59,782			59,782
2	Less: Contributions . . . .	30,440			30,440
3	Gross income (line 1 minus line 2) . . . . . .	29,342			29,342

4	Cash prizes . . . . .
5	Noncash prizes . . . .	30,440	30,440
6	Rent/facility costs . . . .	16,757	16,757
7	Food and beverages . . .
8	Entertainment . . . .
9	Other direct expenses . . .	1,007	1,007
10	Direct expense summary. Add lines 4 through 9 in column (d) . . . . . . . . . .		48,204
11	Net income summary. Subtract line 10 from line 3, column (d). . . . . . . . . .		-18,862

Part III

Gaming. Complete if the organization answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, line 19, or reported more than $15,000 on Form 990-EZ, line 6a.

		(a) Bingo	(b) Pull tabs/Instant bingo/progressive bingo	(c) Other gaming	(d) Total gaming (add col.(a) through col.(c))
1	Gross revenue . . . . .			48,940	48,940

2	Cash prizes . . . . .
3	Noncash prizes . . . .	17,384	17,384
4	Rent/facility costs . . . .
5	Other direct expenses . . .

Volunteer labor . . . .

	Yes %
	No

	Yes %
	No

	Yes %
	No

Direct expense summary. Add lines 2 through 5 in column (d) . . . . . . . . . . right arrow

17,384

Net gaming income summary. Subtract line 7 from line 1, column (d). . . . . . . . . right arrow

31,556

Enter the state(s) in which the organization conducts gaming activities: MT

Is the organization licensed to conduct gaming activities in each of these states? . . . . . . . .

YesNo

If "No," explain:

THE CITIZENS FOR BALANCED USE IS NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A GAMING LICENSE. THE CBU SUBMITTED A NONPROFIT ONLINE RAFFLE REGISTRATION FORM TO THE STATE OF MONTANA, GAMBLING CONTROL DIVISION. IN A LETTER DATED MARCH 25, 2021, THE GAMBLING CONTROL DIVISION NOTIFIED THE CBU THAT IT MET THE REQUIREMENTS AND COULD SELL RAFFLE TICKETS ONLINE. THE CBU COMPLIES WITH THE OTHER RAFFLE AND RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS OF MT MCA 23-5-413 AND ARM 23.16.2602 AS SPECIFIED IN THE APPROVAL LETTER FROM THE GAMBLING CONTROL DIVISION.

10a

Were any of the organization's gaming licenses revoked, suspended or terminated during the tax year? . . .

YesNo

If "Yes," explain:

Schedule G (Form 990) (Rev. 1-2025)

Page 3

Does the organization conduct gaming activities with nonmembers? . . . . . . . . . . .

YesNo

Is the organization a grantor, beneficiary or trustee of a trust or a member of a partnership or other entity

formed to administer charitable gaming? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

YesNo

Indicate the percentage of gaming activity conducted in:

The organization's facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13a

An outside facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

13b

Enter the name and address of the person who prepares the organization's gaming/special events books and records:

Name

BEN ERICKSON

Address

PO BOX 606 GALLATIN GATEWAY, MT59730

15a

Does the organization have a contract with a third party from whom the organization receives gaming

revenue? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

YesNo

If "Yes," enter the amount of gaming revenue received by the organization right arrow

$ and the

amount of gaming revenue retained by the third party right arrow

$ .

If "Yes," enter name and address of the third party:

Name

Address

Gaming manager information:

Name

Gaming manager compensation right arrow

Description of services provided right arrow

Director/officer Employee Independent contractor

Mandatory distributions:

Is the organization required under state law to make charitable distributions from the gaming proceeds to

retain the state gaming license? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

YesNo

Enter the amount of distributions required under state law distributed to other exempt organizations or spent

in the organization's own exempt activities during the tax year right arrow

Part IV

Supplemental Information. Provide the explanations required by Part I, line 2b, columns (iii) and (v); and Part III, lines 9, 9b, 10b, 15b, 15c, 16, and 17b, as applicable. Also provide any additional information. See instructions.

Return Reference	Explanation

Schedule G (Form 990) (Rev. 1-2025)

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE M
(Form 990)

Department of the Treasury

Internal Revenue Service

Noncash Contributions

Complete if the organizations answered "Yes" on Form 990, Part IV, lines 29 or 30.
Right pointing arrow large image

Attach to Form 990.
Right pointing arrow large image

Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for the latest information.

OMB No. 1545-0047

2024

Open to Public Inspection

Name of the organization

CITIZENS FOR BALANCED USE

Employer identification number

20-2858176

Part I

Types of Property

	(a) Check if applicable	(b) Number of contributions or items contributed	(c) Noncash contribution amounts reported on Form 990, Part VIII, line 1g	(d) Method of determining noncash contribution amounts
1 Art—Works of art ....
2 Art—Historical treasures .
3 Art—Fractional interests ..
4 Books and publications ..
5 Clothing and household goods .......
6 Cars and other vehicles ..
7 Boats and planes ....
8 Intellectual property ...
9 Securities—Publicly traded .
10 Securities—Closely held stock .
11 Securities—Partnership, LLC, or trust interests ....
12 Securities—Miscellaneous ..
13 Qualified conservation contribution—Historic structures .....
14 Qualified conservation contribution—Other ...
15 Real estate—Residential .
16 Real estate—Commercial ..
17 Real estate—Other ...
18 Collectibles .....
19 Food inventory ...
20 Drugs and medical supplies .
21 Taxidermy ......
22 Historical artifacts ....
23 Scientific specimens ..
24 Archeological artifacts ...
25 Other ( FUNDRAISING EVENT CONTRIBUTIONS )	X	52	30,440	FMV
26 Other ( )
27 Other ( )
28 Other ( )

Number of Forms 8283 received by the organization during the tax year for contributions
for which the organization completed Form 8283, Part IV, Donee Acknowledgement

Yes

30a

During the year, did the organization receive by contribution any property reported in Part I, lines 1 through 28, that it must hold for at least three years from the date of the initial contribution, and which isn't required to be used for exempt purposes for the entire holding period? ...................

30a

If "Yes," describe the arrangement in Part II.

Does the organization have a gift acceptance policy that requires the review of any nonstandard contributions?

32a

Does the organization hire or use third parties or related organizations to solicit, process, or sell noncash

contributions? ..........................

32a

If "Yes," describe in Part II.

If the organization didn't report an amount in column (c) for a type of property for which column (a) is checked,

describe in Part II.

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990.

Cat. No. 51227J

Schedule M (Form 990) (2024)

Page 2

Part IISupplemental Information. Provide the information required by Part I, lines 30b, 32b, and 33, and whether the organization is reporting in Part I, column (b), the number of contributions, the number of items received, or a combination of both. Also complete this part for any additional information.

Return Reference	Explanation

Schedule M (Form 990) (2024)

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

- TIN:

SCHEDULE O
(Form 990)
(Rev. January 2025)
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service

Supplemental Information to Form 990 or 990-EZ

Complete to provide information for responses to specific questions on
Form 990 or 990-EZ or to provide any additional information.
Attach to Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Go to www.irs.gov/Form990 for instructions and the latest information.

OMB No. 1545-0047

Open to Public
Inspection

Name of the organization

CITIZENS FOR BALANCED USE

Employer identification number

20-2858176

Return Reference	Explanation
PART III LINE 4C (CONTINUED)	FISH CREEK WAS ORIGINALLY OWNED BY THE ANACONDA COPPER COMPANY IN BUTTE AND TIMBER WAS HARVESTED TO PROVIDE SHORING FOR THE MINES. ANACONDA COPPER SOLD THIS PROPERTY TO CHAMPION COMPANY WHO HARVEST TIMBER FOR THEIR MILL AND THE PAPER COMPANY IN MISSOULA AND BONNER. LATER, CHAMPION SOLD THE PROPERTY TO PLUM CREEK WHO CONTINUED HARVESTING TIMBER FOR THEIR MILL IN SUPERIOR, THE PAPER COMPANY IN MISSOULA, AND THE PLYWOOD PLANT IN BONNER. THIS PROVIDED GOOD PAYING JOBS AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTIONS TO MANY COMMUNITIES. PLUM CREEK FINALLY MOVED OUT OF MONTANA AND SOLD THE FISH CREEK COMPLEX TO THE NATURE CONSERVANCY WHICH TURNED AROUND AND SOLD IT TO MONTANA FWP FOR THE PURPOSE OF A WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, A STATE PARK, AND ADDITIONALLY CREATING AN OUTDOOR RECREATION MULTIPLE USE TRAIL SYSTEM USING SOME OF THE THOUSANDS OF MILES OF OLD LOGGING ROADS IN THE AREA. MINERAL COUNTY IS A DEPRESSED AREA OF MONTANA WITH HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, LOW INCOME, AND NEARLY 90% OF THE COUNTY MANAGED BY THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. OVER THE YEARS ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN SHUTTING DOWN THE TIMBER INDUSTRY AND THE MINING INDUSTRY IN THIS AREA. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS BECOME DEPENDENT ON PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES (PILT) TO SUPPORT LOCAL SERVICES. PILT FUNDS ARE NOT ALWAYS FULLY FUNDED AND IN FUNDED ARE ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT COMPARED TO WHAT PRIVATE PROPERTY AND INDUSTRIES WOULD PROVIDE. CBU SUPPORTS FULLY FUNDED PILT AS WELL AS SUPPORTING INDUSTRIES WHO USE OUR PUBLIC LANDS AND RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE ORGANIC AND THE MULTIPLE USE SUSTAINED YIELD ACT REQUIRE FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES TO MANAGE OUR PUBLIC LANDS FOR SUSTAIN YIELD OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. MANY TIME THE FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES IGNORE THE MULTIPLE USE SUSTAINED YIELD ACT AND ORGANIC ACT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS AND FOREST PLAN REVISIONS. OTHER REGULATIONS CREATED UNDER THE JOHNSON ADMINISTRATION HAVE ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECTED SMALL RURAL COMMUNITIES IN KEEPING RESOURCE INDUSTRIES ALIVE. THE CLEAN WATER ACT, THE CLEAN AIR ACT, AND THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT HAVE ADDED COMPLEX REGULATIONS AND REVIEW PROCEDURES THROUGH THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA) TO ANY PROPOSED PROJECT. THIS TANGLED WEB OF REGULATIONS HAS MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR AGENCIES TO COMPLETE PROJECTS AND IN FACT HELPED ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS SUCCEED IN STOPPING MANY PROJECTS THAT WOULD BENEFIT WILDLIFE, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE ECONOMIES OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES. SUCH IS THE CASE WITH MINERAL COUNTY. ADDITIONALLY, THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT (EAJA) HAS ENABLED ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS TO BENEFIT FINANCIALLY FROM LITIGATION. THE EAJA ALLOWS LITIGANTS TO COLLECT THEIR LEGAL FEES AND WITNESS FEES IF THEY PREVAIL. EVEN IF THEY ONLY PREVAIL ON A SINGLE POINT OF THEIR CASE, THEY CAN COLLECT THEIR ENTIRE COST THROUGH THE EAJA. CBU HAS FOUND THAT THESE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS OFTEN TIME "JUDGE SHOP" TO FIND A COURT THAT IS SYMPATHETIC TO THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. COURT CASES ARE OFTEN TECHNICAL IN COMPLEXITY WITH THE DECISION BEING MADE BY A JUDGE WHO WILL BASE THE DECISION, NOT ON THE LAW, BUT RATHER ON A BIAS AGAINST SOME INDUSTRY. ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS LOOK FOR THIS BIAS IN THEIR SEARCH FOR A COURT IN WHICH TO FILE. CBU IS IN SUPPORT OF REVISING THE EAJA TO PREVENT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS FROM USING THE EAJA AS A BUSINESS MODEL RATHER THAN ITS INTENDED PURPOSE. REPORTS HAVE SHOWN THE EAJA HAS BEEN ABUSED AND HAS COMPENSATED ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND THEIR LAWYERS TO THE TUNE OF OVER $700 PER HOUR IN ATTORNEY COST AND UP TO $1000 PER HOUR IN PROFESSIONAL WITNESS COST. TRACKING THESE FUNDS PAID TO ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS IS DIFFICULT AS THEY ARE PAID BY SMALL FS AND BLM DISTRICTS ACROSS THE NATION WHERE THE PROJECT WAS BEING PROPOSED. ESTIMATES HAVE BEEN REPORTED THAT PAYMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS THROUGH THE EAJA TO EXCEED A BILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR. CBU HAS BEEN ASKING OUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES TO REVIEW THIS ISSUE AND BRING POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM. CBU AND OUR MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN THE ANNUAL EAST WEST RIDE SPONSORED BY THE GALLATIN VALLEY SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION (GVSA) AGAIN IN 2024. THIS HISTORIC RIDE IS HELD EVERY YEAR SINCE 1967 ON THE HISTORIC BIG SKY SNOWMOBILE TRAIL IN THE GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST (GNF) FROM BOZEMAN TO WEST YELLOWSTONE. THE FOREST SERVICE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THIS HISTORIC TRAIL DURING THE FOREST TRAVEL PLANNING EFFORT SIGNED IN 2008. SADLY, IN THAT DECISION THE SNOWMOBILE COMMUNITY LOST NEARLY 70% OF OUR RIDING AREAS AND TRAILS IN THE GNF BUT BECAUSE OF THE EFFORTS BY A FEW MEMBERS OF GVSA DECADES AGO THIS TRAIL WAS LISTED ON THE HISTORIC REGISTER OF TRAILS. IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF THE PREVIOUS GENERATION TO ESTABLISH AND REGISTER THIS TRAIL ON THE HISTORIC REGISTER THAT IT REMAINS OPEN TODAY FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY. WITHOUT THIS DESIGNATION WE CAN BE ASSURED THE ANTI-ACCESS DECISION MAKERS IN THE AGENCY WOULD HAVE CLOSED IT. CBU WORKS WITH MANY CLUBS AND ORGANIZATION ACROSS THE WEST TO SAVE ACCESS TO ROADS AND TRAILS FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENJOY. MANY OR OUR ROADS AND TRAILS ARE THE ONLY WAY FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES, PHYSICAL CHALLENGED, MOBILITY IMPAIRED, OR ELDERLY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT AND ENJOY THESE LANDS. THE ANTI-ACCESS, PRO-WILDERNESS CROWD SEEM TO IGNORE THE FACT THAT PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND ABILITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY OUR PUBLIC LANDS. THESE LANDS ARE NOT ONLY FOR THE YOUNG AND FIT BUT ARE TO BE SHARED BY EVERYONE. SOME PEOPLE SIMPLY NEED HELP IN GETTING THERE, WHETHER IT BE BY MOTORIZED OR MECHANIZED USE. WILDERNESS PROHIBITS BOTH USES. CBU IS A STRONG OPPONENT OF WILDERNESS DESIGNATION. ACCORDING TO THE USER SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY THE FOREST SERVICE IN 2023 LESS THAN 6% OF THE PUBLIC RECREATE IN WILDERNESS. AND ACCORDING TO THIS SAME STUDY ON AVERAGE A HIKER WILL TRAVEL A MERE 2 MILES INTO THE FOREST AND 2 MILES BACK. MANY DESTINATIONS WITHIN OUR PUBLIC LANDS ARE LOCATED MUCH FARTHER AWAY THAN 2 MILES FROM A PARKING AREA OR TRAILHEAD. MOTORIZED AND MECHANIZED TRANSPORT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL ABILITIES TO EXPLORE MANY MORE AREAS ON OUR PUBLIC LANDS INCLUDING MOUNTAIN LAKES FOR FISHING, MOUNTAIN TOP VISTAS, AND STREAMS AND RIVERS TO ENJOY. THESE ARE THE MULTIPLE USE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES CBU IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING. CBU IS A BOARD MEMBER OF TREASURE STATE RESOURCE ASSOCIATION (TSRA) IN MONTANA. THIS ORGANIZATION REPRESENTS INDUSTRIES AND BUSINESSES THAT KEEP THE LIGHTS ON AND PROVIDE THE PRODUCTS WE USE IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES. TSRA HAS QUARTERLY MEETINGS TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES OF TSRA MEMBERS. THESE COULD BE RELATED TO NEW REGULATIONS, NEW DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, NEW TECHNOLOGIES, INNOVATIONS IN MANUFACTURING, AND STATISTICS ON FUTURE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC. CBU PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE MEMBERS OF TSRA REGARDING NEW RECREATION DEVELOPMENTS SUCH AS THE INCREASED USE OF E-BIKES AND THE BENEFITS TO THE PUBLIC USING NEW TECHNOLOGIES. E-BIKES IS A NEW TECHNOLOGY PROVIDING ASSISTED MOBILITY FOR RECREATIONALISTS COUPLED WITH THE CONVENIENCE AND EASE OF OPERATION. WE ALSO RAISE OUR CONCERNS OF LOSING ACCESS TO OUR PUBLIC LAND. ROAD AND TRAIL OBLITERATIONS HAVE BECOME MORE FREQUENT AS PUBLIC LAND MANAGERS HAVE SURRENDERED TO THE ANTI-ACCESS, PRO-WILDERNESS ORGANIZATIONS. THE 2012 PLANNING RULE USES LANGUAGE OF ROAD AND TRAIL "MINIMIZATION" WHERE LAND MANAGERS ANALYZE AND MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON THEIR MANAGEMENT NEEDS RATHER THAN WHAT THE PUBLIC DESIRES OR NEEDS. IN MARCH WE AGAIN ATTENDED THE BDWG MEETING IN BUTTE. THE CONCERNS RAISED AT THIS MEETING INCLUDED THE LACK OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE BEAVERHEAD DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST (B-D). BUDGET CUTS TO THE FOREST SERVICE HAVE REDUCED THE ABILITY OF THE FOREST SERVICE TO ENFORCE THE LAW. THE B-D HAS EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN PEOPLE LIVING IN THE FOREST AND SETTING UP CAMP. THE AREA OF PIPESTONE OUT OF BUTTE IS SEEING INCREASED AREAS OF DRUG USE AND VIOLENCE REQUIRING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO RESPOND. THE INCREASE IN VIOLENT ACTS HAS CAUSED LAW ENFORCEMENT TO RESPOND WITH MULTIPLE AGENTS FROM MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS. THIS PUTS ADDITIONAL COST ON THE LOCAL POLICE AND SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ENFORCE LAWS ON FEDERALLY MANAGED PUBLIC LAND WITH LITTLE IF ANY COMPENSATION. CBU WILL BE WORKING ON SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM. IN MARCH WE ALSO MET WITH THE MONTANA FWP TO DISCUSS THEIR NEW STATEWIDE COMPREHENSIVE OUTDOOR RECREATION PLAN (SCROP). THIS PLAN IS REQUIRED TO BE REVISED EVERY 10 YEARS IN ORDER FOR THE FWP TO ACQUIRE AND USE FUNDS DISTRIBUTED TO THE STATE THROUGH THE LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND (LWCF). THE SCORP IDENTIFIES RECREATION FACILITIES, PUBLIC NEEDS AND USER TRENDS WHICH JUSTIFY THE USE OF LWCF IN EACH STATE. CBU FOUND THE NEW SCORP TO BE LACKING IN IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC OUTDOOR RECREATION NEEDS. THE USE OF OHV AND SNOWMOBILES IN MONTANA IS THE FASTEST GROWING FORM OF OUTDOOR RECREATION. CBU PROVIDED INFORMATION TO FWP ON THE GROWTH OF THIS INDUSTRY AND REQUESTED THIS INFORMATION BE INCLUDED IN THE NEW SCORP.
PART III LINE 4C (CONTINUED)	IN MARCH CBU ATTENDED A NEW EXCLUSIVE GROUP NAMED THE BEAVERHEAD COUNTY COLLABORATIVE (BCC). THIS GROUP WAS FORMED BY THE THEODORE ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP (TRCP) AND TROUT UNLIMITED (TU). HAND PICKED MEMBERS OF OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE MONTANA WILDLIFE FEDERATION (MWF), THE NATURE CONSERVANCY (TNC), WILD MONTANA (WM), ONE BEAVERHEAD COUNTY COMMISSIONER, 3 STATE LEGISLATORS, A LAND OWNER, AND A MOTORIZED RECREATION REPRESENTATIVE. CBU WAS CONTACTED BY THE MOTORIZED REPRESENTATIVE ASKING FOR HELP FROM CBU AS THIS GROUP WAS TRYING TO DESIGNATE MORE WILDERNESS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY. EVEN THOUGH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BEAVERHEAD COUNTY PASSED THEIR COUNTY RESOURCE PLAN THAT INCLUDED LANGUAGE THAT OPPOSED ANY NEW WILDERNESS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY, THIS GROUP WOULD BE PROPOSING NEW WILDERNESS FROM THIS HAND SELECTED GROUP OF WILDERNESS PROPONENTS. THE BCC WAS HAVING MEETINGS IN WHITEHALL, 2 COUNTIES AWAY FROM BEAVERHEAD COUNTY AND UNDER THE RADAR OF THE CITIZENS OF BEAVERHEAD COUNTY. CBU ATTENDED THIS MARCH MEETING AND REQUESTED A POSITION ON THE COMMITTEE. WE WERE DENIED A POSITION YET THE GROUP CLAIMED TO REPRESENT A BROAD RANGE OF STAKEHOLDERS. BEAVERHEAD COUNTY CONTAINS 5 WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS (WSA) WHICH WERE THE FOCUS OF THIS GROUP AND THEY PLANNED TO RECOMMEND DESIGNATING THESE 5 WSAS AS NEW WILDERNESS. CBU BROUGHT THIS NEW GROUP AND THEIR INTENTIONS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PUBLIC IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY. CBU HAS HUNDREDS OF MEMBERS FROM BEAVERHEAD COUNTY AND THESE MEMBERS EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN ABOUT THE SECRET MEETINGS BEING HELD FAR REMOVED FROM THE VIEW OF BEAVERHEAD COUNTY RESIDENTS. THE BCC BEGAN GETTING PUSHBACK FROM THE RESIDENTS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY. THE CURRENT MANAGEMENT OF THESE WSAS WERE VERY RESTRICTIVE AND THE BLM WAS RESTRICTING USE OF THESE AREAS WHICH PREVENTED MANY USES. THIS ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE CITIZENS AND THE ECONOMY OF BEAVERHEAD COUNTY. ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS CONTINUE TO PUSH A FALSE NARRATIVE OF WILDERNESS BEING GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY, AND GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE. THE TRUTH IS MUCH DIFFERENT AS WILDERNESS PREVENTS ACTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE FOREST ALLOWING EXCESSIVE FUEL LOADS TO BUILD, CATASTROPHIC FIRES TO OCCUR, LIMITED ABILITY IN THESE AREAS TO FIGHT FIRES, LIMITED ABILITY TO MANAGE GRAZING LEASES, LIMITED ABILITY TO MAINTAIN WATER CONTAINMENT AND CONVEYANCE FACILITIES, OIL, GAS, AND MINERAL DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTED, MOTORIZED, AND MECHANIZED RECREATION ACCESS PROHIBITED, AND ULTIMATELY CREATING AN ECONOMIC HARDSHIP ON THE COUNTY. AS MENTIONED BEFORE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMPENSATES THE COUNTY WITH PILT PAYMENTS. IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY THIS EQUATES TO A MERE 50 CENTS PER ACRE. THE WSAS AND POTENTIAL WILDERNESS PREVENTS THE COUNTY FROM COLLECTING ANY ADDITIONAL REVENUE FROM RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. CBU REPRESENTS THE INTERESTS OF OUR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC. OUR MEMBERS WORK AND PLAY IN AREAS OF MONTANA WHERE THERE ARE LARGE AREAS OF PUBLIC LAND. MUCH OF THIS LAND IS CURRENTLY DESIGNATED AS WILDERNESS ALONG WITH MANY AREAS DESIGNATED AS WSAS. ACCORDING TO A POLL CONDUCTED BY NORTH FORTY, 58% OF MONTANA RESIDENTS OPPOSE ADDITIONAL WILDERNESS IN MONTANA. IN RESPONSE TO THIS SURVEY BY NORTH FORTY ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS CONTRACTED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA TO CONDUCT A PUSH POLL ON SUPPORT FOR ADDITIONAL WILDERNESS IN MONTANA. THEIR RESULTS WERE MUCH DIFFERENT AS THEIR PUSH POLL CREATED QUESTIONS DESIGNED TO OBTAIN A DESIRED RESULT. BECAUSE THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS CONTRACTED WITH U OF M TO CONDUCT THE POLL, THEY WERE THE ONES TO DETERMINE THE LANGUAGE IN THE QUESTIONS. THIS IS NOTHING NEW AS ENVIRONMENTAL, PRO-WILDERNESS GROUPS ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF CREATING NEW WILDERNESS. BUT WHEN PUSH POLLS ARE USED WITH DECEPTIVE QUESTIONS TO OBTAIN A PREDETERMINED OUTCOME, WE FIND THE RESULTS OF THESE POLLS TO BE QUESTIONABLE AND IN FACT FALSE. THEY USE THESE FALSE PUSH POLL RESULTS TO CLAIM LARGE SUPPORT FOR ADDITIONAL WILDERNESS IN MONTANA WHEN IN FACT THE MAJORITY OF MONTANA RESIDENTS OPPOSE NEW WILDERNESS DESIGNATION IN MONTANA. BECAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL PRO-WILDERNESS GROUPS ARE IN THE BUSINESS OF CREATING NEW WILDERNESS WE CAN BE ASSURED THESE GROUPS WILL NEVER HAVE ENOUGH. IN A MEETING IN HELENA A FEW YEARS AGO A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A WILDERNESS GROUP WAS ASKED "WHEN WILL THERE BE ENOUGH WILDERNESS IN MONTANA"? HIS ANSWER WAS ASTOUNDING BUT EXPECTED. HE SAID: "WE WANT IT ALL." THIS EFFORT CONTINUES AS EXCLUSIVE GROUPS LIKE THE BCC WILL SPRING UP EVERYWHERE TO PUSH FOR MORE WILDERNESS USING FALSE CLAIMS, BAD SCIENCE, AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES. CBU CONFRONTS THESE EFFORTS WITH TRUE SCIENCE AND FACTS WHICH EXPOSE THE FALSE PROPAGANDA OF THESE GROUPS. CBU HAS AN ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT EVER YEAR TOWARDS THE END OF APRIL AND BEGINNING OF MAY. THE 2024 TRAILRAISER BANQUET AND DINNER WAS PLANNED FOR APRIL 27, 2025. BEGINNING IN MARCH THE BOARD MEMBERS OF CBU START TO PREPARE FOR THE BANQUET. OUR BOARD MEMBERS SPEND MANY HOURS CONTACTING OUR SUPPORTING BUSINESSES TO COLLECT DONATIONS. AMY DOES THE MEDIA DIGITAL AD CAMPAIGN WITH TARGETED AUDIENCES AND SPENDS UP TO 40 HOURS ON THIS PROJECT. DONATIONS ARE GATHERED, CATALOGED, AND LABELED IN PREPARATION FOR THE BANQUET. OUR BANQUET HAS MANY FUN AND ENTERTAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDING A SILENT AUCTION, BUCKET RAFFLE ITEMS, VARIOUS GAMES, AND LIVE AUCTION. OUR GRAND PRIZE RAFFLE EVERY YEAR HAS BEEN A NEW ATV 4-WHEELER WHICH IS DONATED TO CBU BY THE MANUFACTURER. WE ROTATE BETWEEN DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS EVERY YEAR TO GIVE EACH OF THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOWCASE THEIR PRODUCTS. WE ALSO HAVE THE "OPEN GATE" AWARDS FOR PEOPLE WHO CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANT TIME AND ENERGY TO CBU DURING THE YEAR. THE MEMBER MODEL FOR CBU HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO URGE PEOPLE TO JOIN CBU WITH NO MEMBERSHIP FEE. WE BELIEVE THE MEMBERSHIP FEE TO BELONG TO CBU IS SIMPLY TO ENGAGE IN KEEPING OUR PUBLIC LANDS OPEN TO MULTIPLE USE RECREATION, SUPPORT ACTIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT, AND PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES. WE ASK OUR MEMBERS TO ATTEND A MEETING WITH THE FOREST SERVICE OR BLM, WRITE A LETTER TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES, MAKE A PHONE CALL, WRITE A COMMENT IN SUPPORT OF OUR MISSION, OR WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF A LOCAL PAPER EXPLAINING THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESS TO OUR PUBLIC LANDS. THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT OUR MEMBERS DO FOR CBU AND IT IS WHAT MAKES CBU SO SUCCESSFUL. CBU DOES NOT HAVE PAID MOUTH PIECES WITH TYPICAL TALKING POINTS. CBU IS PEOPLE THAT LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY IN AND ON OUR PUBLIC LANDS AND KNOW THE AREAS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESSING AND USING THESE AREAS. WE ATTENDED THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BDWG IN APRIL ALONG WITH THE GVSA MONTHLY MEETING. OUR CBU BOARD MEETING IS HELD ON THE FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH AND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO ATTEND. AT THE CBU BOARD MEETING THE BOARD DISCUSSES ANY NEW ISSUES AND POSSIBLE PROJECTS CBU MAY WISH TO UNDERTAKE AS IT RELATES TO ACCESS AND MANAGEMENT OF OUR PUBLIC LANDS. CBU APPLIES FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES TO BE USED FOR PROJECTS THAT MAY INCLUDE TRAIL SIGNAGE, TRAIL CONSTRUCTION, TRAIL MAINTENANCE, WEED CONTROL, AND EDUCATION. THE CBU BANQUET WAS HELD AT THE COMMONS IN BOZEMAN ON APRIL 27TH. THE BANQUET WAS SOLD OUT AGAIN IN 2024 AND WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. PRIME RIB DINNER, DRINKS, FUN AND GAMES. EVERYONE REALLY ENJOYED THE EVENT AND CBU RAISED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY FROM OUR GENEROUS MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS. IN MAY CBU ATTENDED THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BDWG AND AGAIN THE LACK OF ENFORCEMENT ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP ALONG WITH THE RELUCTANCE OF THE FOREST SERVICE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TRAVEL PLANNING ON THE B-D. CBU WAS INVITED TO BE ON THE STATEWIDE TAKE RADIO SHOW, MONTANA TALKS. AARON FLINT IS THE HOST OF THIS SHOW WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE HAPPENINGS IN MONTANA. THE SUBJECT CBU AND AARON DISCUSSED WAS ACCESS TO OUR PUBLIC LANDS AND HOW THE FOREST SERVICE AND BLM CONTINUE TO CLOSE ACCESS, INSTALL GATES, AND OBLITERATE ROADS. WE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT AND THE ABUSE BY ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS OF THE EAJA. UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION AND AGENCIES, THE PUBLIC IS BEING SHUT OUT AND OFF OUR PUBLIC LANDS.
PART III LINE 4C (CONTINUED)	THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF TSRA WAS HELD IN MAY. DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WATER QUALITY REGULATIONS AND DEQ DISCHARGE RULES WERE ALSO DISCUSSED. THESE ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES FOR CBU, FOR NOT ONLY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT BUT ISSUE AROUND SEDIMENTATION FROM ROADS AND TRAILS ARE ALWAYS BEING USED TO CLOSE ROADS AND TRAILS. AGENCIES FAIL TO RECOGNIZE THE LARGE AMOUNT OF SEDIMENTATION CREATED BY CATASTROPHIC FIRES. STERILIZED AND BAKED SOIL SURFACES ARE RIPE FOR MASSIVE EROSION DURING SPRING RUNOFF AND SNOW MELT BUT ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IGNORE THIS FACT AND INSTEAD BLAME OUTDOOR RECREATION FOR THE CAUSE OF SEDIMENTATION IN OUR STREAMS. FACED WITH THREATS OF LITIGATION THE AGENCIES CAVE TO THE THREAT AND CLOSE ROADS AND TRAILS, FORGO TIMBER HARVEST PROJECTS, REMOVE CATTLE GRAZING, AND REFUSE PERMITTING OF ANY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. ALSO, IN MAY CBU WAS INVITED TO ATTEND A MEETING IN DILLON WITH A NEWLY FORMED ORGANIZATION NAMED THE SOUTHWEST MONTANA CONSERVATION COALITION (SWMCC). LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS, LEGISLATORS, AND RESIDENTS OF BEAVERHEAD COUNTY CAME TOGETHER TO FORM THIS GROUP TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THEIR WAY OF LIFE. THEY ARE EXPERIENCING AN INFLUX OF STATE AND NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION COMING TO THEIR AREA IN AN EFFORT TO SHUT DOWN AGRICULTURE (CATTLE GRAZING AND IRRIGATION), MINING, OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT, AND MOTORIZED RECREATION. THE AREA OF BEAVERHEAD COUNTY IS RICH IN MINERAL RESOURCES AND HAS A LONG HISTORY OF MINING IN THIS AREA. IT IS NOTABLE THAT IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY THE NUMBER OF CATTLE OUTNUMBERS THE POPULATION OF PEOPLE. BEAVERHEAD COUNTY HAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF FEDERALLY MANAGED PUBLIC LAND INCLUDING STATE LAND, BLM, AND FOREST SERVICE. THE MEMBERS OF THE SWMCC EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT LOSING THEIR CULTURAL AND HISTORIC HERITAGE ALONG WITH LOSING BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES THAT PROVIDE GOOD PAYING JOBS AND SUPPORT THE ECONOMIES OF NUMEROUS SMALL TOWNS IN THE COUNTY. CBU WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS NEW ORGANIZATION AND OFFERED OUR ASSISTANCE IN MAKING THIS NEW GROUP SUCCESSFUL. WE APPRECIATE NEW ORGANIZATIONS BEING FORMED THAT REPRESENT THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES. IN MONTANA WE CONTINUE TO SEE OUT OFF STATE GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS INFILTRATE RURAL COMMUNITIES IN AN EFFORT TO STOP RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, SHUT DOWN AGRICULTURE, AND REMOVE PEOPLE FROM THE LAND. GROUPS LIKE AMERICAN PRAIRIE RESERVE, NATURE CONSERVANCY, THEODORE ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP, DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE, WILDLIFE FEDERATION, TROUT UNLIMITED, NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS COUNCIL, EARTH JUSTICE, BACKCOUNTRY HUNTERS AND ANGLERS, WESTERN WATERSHEDS, CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, MONTANA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION, MONTANA WILDERNESS SOCIETY, AND MORE, ALL HAVE A MISSION OF REMOVING PEOPLE FROM THE LAND. IT IS DIFFICULT FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS IN RURAL COUNTIES AND COMMUNITIES TO PUSH BACK ON THESE WELL-FUNDED ORGANIZATIONS. CBU PROVIDES SOUND SCIENCE AND TRUE FACTS AND INFORMATION TO GROUPS LIKE THE SWMCC IN ORDER TO HELP THEM IN PRESERVING THEIR WAY OF LIFE IN MONTANA. AS ONE OF OUR MEMBERS EXPRESSED, THESE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP'S MEMBERS ARE NOT EDUCATED IN AGRICULTURE OR OUR BASIC RESOURCE NEEDS. THEY ARE APARTMENT DWELLERS WHO SWALLOW THE PROPAGANDA FROM THESE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND DONATE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSE TO OBTAIN A GOOD FEELING OF THINKING THEY ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING WHEN IN FACT THEY ARE DONATING TO GROUPS WHO ARE HELL BENT ON DESTROYING THE VERY INDUSTRIES THAT FEED, CLOTH, AND KEEP THE LIGHTS ON. AT THE END OF MAY CBU TRAVELLED TO BOULDER, MONTANA TO MEET WITH THE JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSION TO DISCUSS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MCCARTY ROAD. THE MCCARTY ROAD IS THE HISTORIC STAGE ROUTS THAT TRAVELLED FROM BOULDER TO ELKHORN IN THE 1800S. THIS HISTORIC ROUTE WAS GRANTED TO THE COUNTY UNDER THE 1866 MINING ACT AND IS PRESERVED UNDER THE "RESERVED STATUTE 2477" (RS2477). RS2477 WAS AN ACT THAT GRANTED THOUSANDS OF ROAD RIGHTS-OF-WAY TO THE STATES WHEN THE FIRST SETTLERS RUSHED TO MONTANA IN SEARCH OF GOLD AND SILVER. THE RS2477 IDENTIFIED THESE RIGHTS-OF-WAYS AND GRANTED THEM TO THE STATES AS PUBLIC DOMAIN IN ORDER FOR MINERS AND OTHER SETTLERS TO LEGALLY ACCESS THEIR CLAIMS AND PROPERTY WITHOUT TRESPASSING. JEFFERSON COUNTY WAS ASKING CBU FOR ASSISTANCE IN SURVEYING THE MCCARTY ROAD. THE ROAD WAS IDENTIFIED ON HISTORIC MAPS BUT WAS NEVER FORMALLY SURVEY. CBU UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING ACCURATE RECORDS ON ROADS AND TRAILS. CBU AGREED TO BEGIN THE SURVEY OF MCCARTY ROAD AND ASSUME THE COST OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SURVEY. JEFFERSON COUNTY AGREED TO HELP WITH THE COST OF PHASE 2. ULTIMATELY AT THE END OF THE SURVEY PROJECT THE ENTIRE MCCARTY ROAD RIGHT-OF-WAY WILL BE SURVEYED AND RECORDED FROM THE TOWN OF BOULDER TO THE TOWN OF ELKHORN. THE MCCARTY ROAD IS A VERY POPULAR ROUTE FOR 4-WHEEL DRIVE ENTHUSIAST AND BRINGS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THE AREA YEAR-ROUND. CBU ALSO MET WITH BUSINESSES IN BIG SKY AREA AT THE END OF MAY TO DISCUSS THE BUCK CREEK TRAIL. THIS TRAIL IS USED BY MOTORIZED, MECHANIZED, AND NON-MOTORIZED USERS. THE TRAIL HAS FALLEN INTO DISREPAIR AND CBU WAS MEETING WITH THE FOREST SERVICE TO EXPRESS THE NEED TO IMPROVE THE TRAIL AND OFFER OUR ASSISTANCE IN VOLUNTEERS AND FUNDING. THE FIRST SEGMENT OF THE TRAIL PASSES THROUGH PRIVATE PROPERTY AND CBU WAS WORKING WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS TO MAKE SURE ANY IMPROVEMENTS WOULD NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THEM. CBU OFFERED EQUIPMENT AND FUNDING TO COMPLETE THE NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS. THIS TRAIL IS A WINTER SNOWMOBILE ROUTE THAT IS GROOMED BY GVSA FROM DECEMBER THROUGH APRIL. THE TRAIL NEEDED SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT AS IT WAS CURRENTLY DANGEROUS DURING THE WINTER SEASON. A COUPLE STEEP ICY SECTIONS NEEDED TO BE IMPROVED AS SEVERAL SNOWMOBILERS HAVE BEEN INJURED ON THIS TRAIL. WE TOURED THE AREA AND IDENTIFIED THE NEEDS. WE INCLUDED WITH US THAT DAY THE CONTRACTOR THAT WE SUGGESTED COULD COMPLETE THE WORK WHO WAS AN EXPERIENCED OPERATOR AND HAD THE PROPER EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE. CBU OFFERED TO PROVIDE THE FUNDS TO MAKE THE IDENTIFIED IMPROVEMENTS. MUCH TO OUR SURPRISE THE FOREST SERVICE REJECTED OUR OFFER. INSTEAD, THEY BROUGHT IN A CONTRACTOR WITH EQUIPMENT THAT WAS NOT ADEQUATE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT AND IN FACT MADE THE TRAIL EVEN MORE DANGEROUS. THESE ACTIONS BY AGENCIES ARE FRUSTRATING TO CBU AND OUR MEMBERS. OUR ORGANIZATION OFFERS TO HELP AN AGENCY AT NO COST TO THE AGENCY AND INSTEAD THEY THINK THEY HAVE A BETTER WAY OF DOING THINGS AND SPEND OUR TAX DOLLARS CREATING MORE OF A PROBLEM. THE PROPERTY OWNERS WERE NOT HAPPY WITH THE ACTIONS OF THE FOREST SERVICE EITHER. CBU WILL CONTINUE TO ATTEMPT TO IMPROVE THIS TRAIL, TO WORK WITH THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS, THE RECREATION COMMUNITY, AND THE FOREST SERVICE. THIS TRAIL BRINGS IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THIS AREA. CBU ATTENDED THE JUNE MONTHLY MEETINGS OF THE BEDRC AND BDWG. WE ALSO MET AGAIN WITH JEFFERSON COUNTY TO FINALIZE THE SURVEY ON MCCARTY ROAD. IN JUNE THE TSRA HAD THEIR ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN ANACONDA. CBU SPONSORED ONE OF THE GOLF COURSE HOLES FOR THE GOLF SCRAMBLE EVENT. CBU BROUGHT IN MARAGRET BYFIELD FROM AMERICAN STEWARDS OF LIBERTY (ASL) TO GIVE A PRESENTATION ON THE DANGERS OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. IN 2023 THE USFWS PROPOSED DESIGNATING NEARLY 6 MILLION ACRES IN SW MONTANA AS THE MISSOURI HEADWATERS CONSERVATION AREA (MHCA). THE PURPOSE OF THIS DESIGNATION IS TO RESTRICT LAND USE. 35% OF THE AREA IS IN PRIVATE OWNERSHIP. ASL HAS BEEN A CHAMPION AT EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND DECISION MAKERS ON THE DANGER OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. IN FACT, AN EFFORT TO CREATE NATURAL ASSET COMPANIES (NAC) WAS BROUGHT BEFORE THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC) TO ALLOW NACS TO BE TRADED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE (NYSE). THIS EFFORT HAS BEEN STOPPED SO FAR BUT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS LIKE THE NATURE CONSERVANCY WILL CERTAINLY KEEP TRYING TO TAKE CONTROL OF BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PROPERTY THROUGH THE USE OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS. THE USE OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS TO CONTROL PROPERTY WAS THE BRAINCHILD OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND HIS 30 X 30 PLAN TO CONSERVE 30% OF THE PROPERTY IN THE UNITED STATES BY 2030. THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT IN 2022 PUT 20 BILLION DOLLARS TOWARDS THIS EFFORT. THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS IS BEHIND THIS SCHEME TO TAKE CONTROL OF PRIVATE PROPERTY AND LIMIT THE USE. THE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL ACT IN 2022 ALSO DIRECTED FUNDS TO THIS PROGRAM. INITIATED UNDER THE GUISE OF "GLOBAL WARMING AND "CLIMATE CHANGE" THE ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FUNDED BY PEOPLE LIKE ROCKJEFELLER FOUNDATION, JEFF BEZOS EARTH FUND, BILL GATES, THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM AND OTHER GLOBAL ELITES AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS PROMULGATING THE CLIMATE CRISIS NARRATIVE ARE ACTIVELY DRIVING THIS AGENDA.
PART III LINE 4C (CONTINUED)	JUST THINK IF THESE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND CONTROL OF PROPERTY IN PERPETUITY WERE TO BE ALLOWED TO BE TRADED ON THE NYSE. THIS WOULD ALLOW INVESTORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO INVEST AND AS STOCKHOLDERS GAIN CONTROL AND THE USE OF PROPERTY IN THE UNITED STATES. EVEN UNFRIENDLY NATIONS LIKE RUSSIA AND CHINA COULD CONTROL THE USE OF OUR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS. FORTUNATELY, THE SEC DROPPED THE PROPOSAL TO ALLOW TRADING OF NACS ON THE NYSE. CBU BROUGHT MARAGRET BYFIELD FROM ASL TO PRESENT THIS INFORMATION TO THE MEMBERS OF THE TSRA. CBU CONTINUED TO MEET WITH THE SWMCC IN DILLON. THIS GROUP IS FOCUSED ON RELEASING THE 5 WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS (WSA) MANAGED BY THE BLM IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY. THEY ARE GATHERING SIGNATURES AND CIRCULATING INFORMATION ON THE HARM AND ECONOMIC HARDSHIP THESE WSAS HAVE CAUSED IN THEIR COUNTY. THE BLM MANAGES THESE WSAS FOR THEIR WILDERNESS CHARACTER AND TREAT THEM AS WILDERNESS EVEN AS THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN FORMALLY DESIGNATED AS WILDERNESS. EVEN THE WILDERNESS CHARACTER ANALYSIS COMPLETED BY THE BLM SHOWS THESE AREAS DO NOT HAVE WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS AND DO NOT QUALIFY AS WILDERNESS YET THE BLM CONTINUES TO MANAGE THEM AS SUCH. CBU HAS WORKED FOR MANY YEARS TO RELEASE ALL THE WSAS IN MONTANA. THEY WERE DESIGNATED AS WSAS IN 1977 AND WERE TO BE ANALYZED AND EITHER FORMALLY DESIGNATED OR RELEASED WITHIN 5 YEARS. CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO ACT AND AFTER MORE THAN 40 YEARS IT IS TIME TO RELEASE THESE AREAS BACK TO MULTIPLE USE AND ACTIVE MANAGEMENT. JULY WAS A MONTH OF BRINGING ATTENTION TO CBU BY ATTENDING RIDING EVENTS. CBU HAS AN ENCLOSED TRAILER WITH INFORMATION AND MAPS EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON SHARED USE, "LEAVE NO TRACE," "PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT." WE PARTICIPATED IN TRAIL MAINTENANCE PROJECTS AND CLEAN UP EVENTS. MEMBERS OF CBU AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS CLEARED TRAILS OF DOWNED TIMBER AND ENJOYED RIDING EVENTS AND THE GREAT STATE OF MONTANA. THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BDWG WAS HELD IN AUGUST WHICH CBU ATTENDED. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MONTANA SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION IN WEST YELLOWSTONE. LATER IN AUGUST CBU TRAVELED TO OREGON TO ATTEND THE MULTIPLE MEETINGS (5) BEING HELD BY THE FOREST SERVICE TO ROLL OUT THEIR NEW BLUE MOUNTAIN FOREST PLAN. THIS FLAWED PLAN AND PROCESS IS BEING PUSHED BY THE ANTI-ACCESS EMPLOYEES OF THE FOREST SERVICE IN THE WALLOWA WHITMAN, MALHEUR, AND UMATILLA NATIONAL FORESTS. THIS EFFORT IS BEING DRIVEN BY A FLAWED PROCESS AND VIOLATION OF THE FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT. THE FOREST SERVICE FORMED A COMMITTEE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES AND INCLUDED AS A VOTING MEMBER A REPRESENTATIVE OF SUSTAINABLE NORTHWEST, A WELL-KNOWN ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATION. CBU BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FOREST SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AT 5 OF THE 6 MEETINGS THEY HELD IN AREAS OF EASTERN OREGON AND WASHINGTON. OUR CONCERNS FELL ON DEAF EARS BUT REST ASSURED CBU WILL HOLD THESE INDIVIDUALS ACCOUNTABLE AS THEY IGNORED FEDERAL LAW AND VIOLATED THE PROCESS IN DEVELOPING THEIR NEW CLOSURE PLAN. CBU IS WORKING WITH FOREST ACCESS FOR ALL (FAFA) OUT OF BAKER CITY OREGON IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO KEEP AN OPEN FOREST. FROM OREGON CBU TRAVELED TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, EASTERN WASHINGTON, AND NORTHERN IDAHO TO MEET WITH AFFILIATED RECREATION GROUPS TO HEAR THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES AND THE CLOSURES THEY ARE EXPERIENCING. CLEARLY ACCESS TO OUR PUBLIC LANDS IS UNDER ATTACK. THE END OF AUGUST BROUGHT NEWS THAT CBU WOULD BE TARGETED FOR AN AUDIT BY THE IRS. WE WERE CONTACTED BY THE IRS AGENT AND HE SENT US PAGES OF REQUESTED INFORMATION. CBU IS AND HAS BEEN A LIGAMENT NON-PROFIT 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION REGISTERED UNDER AN "EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION SINCE 2006. WE BEGAN THE TEDIOUS TASK OF PUTTING TOGETHER ALL THE INFORMATION HE REQUESTED. OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WE DELIVERED PILES OF INFORMATION HE REQUESTED INCLUDING TAXES, CALENDARS, PAMPHLETS, POSTERS, RECEIPTS, MEETING MINUTES, ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, BYLAWS, MISSION STATEMENT, BOARD MEMBER NAMES AND CONTACTS, AND ON AND ON. EVERY TIME WE PROVIDED EVERYTHING HE REQUESTED, HE CAME BACK REQUESTING EVEN MORE. IT BECAME CLEAR AFTER TIME THAT THIS WAS A TARGETED MOVE ON THE PART OF THE IRS. FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE IRS WAS GOING TO FIND SOMETHING CBU DID WRONG. WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED AS TO THE OUTCOME OF THIS AUDIT BUT AS OF DECEMBER OF 2024, IT IS STILL GOING ON AND ON AND ON! ANOTHER MEETING IN BUTTE WITH THE BDWG IN SEPTEMBER AND THEN TO MISSOULA TO MEET WITH THE MONTANA FWP ON THE TRAIL DEVELOPMENT IN FISH CREEK. THE BDRC HAD ANOTHER MEETING IN HELENA IN SEPTEMBER AND THEN OFF TO NORTH DAKOTA TO MEET WITH LANDOWNERS UNDER ATTACK FROM ENERGY COMPANIES ABUSING THEIR ACCESS RIGHTS. CBU IS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS AND MINERAL RIGHT HOLDERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACCESS THEIR SUB-SURFACE MINERAL RIGHTS BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY NEED TO WORK WITH THE SURFACE RIGHT HOLDERS IN THE LOCATION OF THEIR ACCESS AND INFRASTRUCTURE. WE MET WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MCKENZIE COUNTY AND LAND OWNERS ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF STATE GOVERNMENT TO DISCUSS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS. BACK TO MONTANA TO ATTEND A BCC MEETING IN LIMA WHERE THE ANTI-ACCESS BCC WAS GOING TO TELL THE RANCHERS HOW CREATING MORE WILDERNESS NEXT TO THEIR RANCHES WAS A GREAT IDEA. THE RANCHERS AT THE LIMA MEETING WERE NOT BUYING THIS FALSE PROPAGANDA. ACCORDING TO AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS DONE BY BRIAN C. STEED, RYAN M. YONK, AND RANDY SIMMONS, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY FOUND THAT FEDERALLY DESIGNATED WILDERNESS NEGATIVELY IMPACTS LOCAL ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. SPECIFICALLY, WE FIND A SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PRESENCE OF WILDERNESS AND COUNTY TOTAL PAYROLL, COUNTY TAX RECEIPTS, AND COUNTY AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME. CLEARLY WILDERNESS HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT OF SMALL LOCAL COMMUNITIES. THE RANCHERS IN AND AROUND LIMA HAVE CONCERNS, AND RIGHTLY SO, ABOUT THE CREATION OF NEW WILDERNESS IN BEAVERHEAD COUNTY. CBU SUPPORTS THESE PROPERTY OWNERS AND THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY THEY REPRESENT. CBU ATTENDED THE OCTOBER MEETING OF THE BDWG. ANOTHER MEETING IN OCTOBER WAS HELD IN JEFFERSON COUNTY REGARDING THE NEW SURVEY AND RELOCATION OF MCCARTY ROAD. THE COUNTY ROAD DEPARTMENT HAS EXPRESSED INTEREST IN COMPLETING THE SURVEY ON MCCARTY ROAD FROM BOULDER TO ELK HORN. JEFFERSON COUNTY IS LOOKING FOR FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY. CBU OFFERED TO APPLY FOR A GRANT FROM MONTANA FWP TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY. TSRA HELD THEIR QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN OCTOBER. ONE OF THE MAIN TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION WAS THE NUTRIENT DISCHARGE PROJECT. MEMBERS OF TSRA ALONG WITH MEMBERS OF CBU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEW RULE REGULATION DISCHARGE PERMITS. ANOTHER TOPIC THAT WAS DISCUSSED WAS THE UPCOMING 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. TSRA HOLDS A LEGISLATIVE SHOWCASE AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY LEGISLATIVE SESSION TO EDUCATE LEGISLATORS ON THE ISSUES THAT FACE RESOURCE INDUSTRIES, RECREATION, AND AGRICULTURE. THEY PROVIDE INFORMATION TO LEGISLATORS THAT WILL BE HELPFUL DURING THE SESSION. CBU ATTENDED THE NOVEMBER BDWG MEETING IN BUTTE AND THE BEDRC IN HELENA. WE ALSO TRAVELLED TO DILLION TO ATTEND THE MEETING OF THE NEWLY FORMED SWMCC. THE PROPOSED MISSOURI HEADWATERS CONSERVATION AREA WAS THE MAIN TOPIC OF DISCUSSION. THIS PROPOSAL IS BEING PUT FORTH BY THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE AS DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY. IN NOVEMBER CBU ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH THE NEWLY ELECTED SENATOR TIM SHEEHY. CBU DISCUSSED OUR CONCERNS IN LOSING ACCESS TO OUR PUBLIC LANDS AND THE POOR CONDITION OF OUR NATIONAL FOREST. WE PROPOSED POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO SENATOR SHEEHY IN REVISION OF THE EAJA, ESA, AND NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA). SENATOR SHEEHY CLEARLY UNDERSTANDS THE CONTINUED LITIGATION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS AND THE OBSTACLES IT PRESENTS IN ACTIVELY MANAGING OUR PUBLIC LANDS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH SENATOR SHEEHY ON THESE ISSUES. CBU HAD OUR MONTHLY MEETING IN DECEMBER ALONG WITH THE MONTHLY MEETING OF THE BDWG AND THE BEDRC. ANOTHER MEETING OF THE SWMCC WAS HELD IN DILLON WHICH WE ATTENDED. CBU ALSO ATTENDED THE GVSA CHRISTMAS PARTY IN DECEMBER. CBU AND OUR MEMBERS WORK ON MANY ISSUES DURING THE YEAR AND SPEND COUNTLESS HOURS AT MEETINGS, WRITING LETTERS AND CONTACTING GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO EXPRESS OUR CONCERNS ABOUT LOSING ACCESS. BELOW IS A LIST OF THE PROJECTS CBU, OUR MEMBERS, AND SUPPORTERS WORKED ON IN 2024. SUPPORT ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BUCK CREEK AREA AS A NATIONAL RECREATION AREA BUCK CREEK IS AN IMPORTANT RECREATION AREA IN THE CUSTER GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST (CGNF) AND AS SUCH NEEDS TO BE DESIGNATED AS A NATIONAL RECREATION AREA (NRA). DESIGNATED BY CONGRESS. OPPOSE THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE RECREATION ENHANCEMENT AND TOURISM ACT (GALLATIN AND MADISON WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS DESIGNATION)
PART III LINE 4C (CONTINUED)	WILD AND SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATIONS ADVERSELY AFFECT THE ABILITY TO ACTIVELY MANAGE THE FOREST MUCH OF THE CGNF IS OVERGROWN, DEAD, AND DYING. FUEL REDUCTION PROJECTS IN THIS AREA ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO COMPLETELY. WILD AND SCENIC RIVER DESIGNATIONS PROHIBIT COMMERCIAL TIMBER, CUTTING AND HAULING IN CORRIDORS DESIGNATED AS WILD AND SCENIC. WILD AND SCENIC DESIGNATION NOT ONLY AFFECTS THE RIVER ITSELF BUT ALSO PROHIBITS CERTAIN ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE CORRIDOR AFFECTING MILE ON EACH SIDE OF THE RIVER. OPPOSE THE MISSOURI HEADWATERS CONSERVATION ACT SUPPORT MOTORIZED RECREATION DEVELOPMENT IN FISH CREEK SUPPORT RELEASE OF WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS IN MONTANA REVISE ESA AND DEFUND EPA REVISE EAJA (NO ACCOUNTABILITY) SUPPORTING FOREST IN FOCUS AND GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY PROJECTS TO PROVIDE MORE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS IN ACTIVE TIMBER MANAGEMENT ON FEDERAL LANDS CBU HAS BEEN A PROPONENT ON BRINGING MORE LOCAL CONTROL BACK TO LAND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS ON FEDERALLY MANAGED LANDS. THE GOOD NEIGHBOR AUTHORITY (GNA) ALLOWS STATE AGENCIES, SPECIFICALLY MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNRC), TO TAKE THE LEAD ON PROJECTS ON FEDERALLY MANAGED PUBLIC LANDS. THIS ACTION WILL REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF FRIVOLOUS LITIGATION FILED BY EXTREME ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS. WORKING WITH IDAHO STATE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION IN CREATING A MODEL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO LEAVE ROAD AND TRAIL INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE AFTER A TIMBER SALE FOR MOTORIZED RECREATION OPPOSE 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 PARK CBU MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY OUT-OF-CONTROL POPULATIONS OF WOLVES AND GRIZZLY BEARS IN MONTANA. LIVESTOCK DEPRIVATION HAS BEEN A BURDEN ON LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS ACROSS THE STATE. THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT (ESA) MUST BE REVISED TO ALLOW DELISTING OF POPULATIONS OF THESE LARGE PREDATORS WHEN POPULATION NUMBERS HAVE REACHED TARGET. PROTECTION OF VESTED WATER RIGHTS (FILED COMMENTS IN OPPOSITION TO THE BLM TAKING VESTED WATER RIGHTS FROM PROPERTY OWNERS IN NORTHEAST MONTANA) WORKING WITH COUNTIES TO IDENTIFY ROADS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY 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 ON HOW TO COORDINATE WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THE FOREST SERVICE AND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES (NACO) HAVE COMPLETED A GUIDEBOOK FOR WORKING TOGETHER. THIS GUIDEBOOK INSTRUCTS THE FOREST SERVICE ON THEIR REQUIREMENT TO COORDINATE THEIR ACTIONS WITH THE COUNTY RESOURCE PLAN OR GROWTH POLICY IN MAKING THEIR PLAN CONSISTENT AS POSSIBLE WITH THE LOCAL PLAN. MANY LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN MONTANA ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES IN BEING CONSISTENT WITH THE LOCAL COUNTY GROWTH POLICY OR RESOURCE PLAN. CBU HELPS TO EDUCATE LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ON THIS FEDERAL REQUIREMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A COMPREHENSIVE GROWTH POLICY. WORKING WITH MONTANA FWP IN MAPPING SUMMER AND WINDER MOTORIZED TRAILS ON OUR FEDERALLY MANAGED PUBLIC LANDS PROVIDED 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 THE BLM CREATED A NEW RULE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF TRACY STONE-MANNING IN ELEVATING CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION TO THE SAME LEVEL AS MULTIPLE USE. THIS RULE PUT INTO EFFECT HAS ADVERSELY AFFECTED RANCHERS AND LEASE HOLDERS ON FEDERAL MANAGED PUBLIC LAND. COMPETITION BETWEEN RANCHER OWNERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS FOR PUBLIC LAND LEASING HAS SIGNIFICANTLY ADVERSELY IMPACTED THE ABILITY OF RANCHERS IN MONTANA TO AFFORD TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS. AGRICULTURE IN MONTANA IS THE NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY AND CBU SUPPORTS THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF AGRICULTURE BUSINESSES IN THE STATE. ACCESS TO MINING CLAIMS AND SUPPORT MINING AND RESOURCE PROJECTS (TINTINA, ROCK CREEK, MONTANORE, COAL, OIL AND GAS, GRAZING, TIMBER MANAGEMENT) PERMITTING FOR RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN MONTANA ON FEDERALLY MANAGED PUBLIC LAND HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT WITH CONTINUED REGULATIONS AND LITIGATION. CBU BELIEVES THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES IS CRITICAL TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY. RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT JOBS IN MINING, OIL, AND GAS DEVELOPMENT PROVIDE GOOD PAYING, HIGH QUALITY JOBS SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE WEST. CBU SUPPORTS REVISIONS TO NEPA TO REDUCE THE COST OF PRODUCING AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS). EIS CAN TAKE UP TO A DECADE TO COMPLETE AT A COST OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THE TIME TO COMPLETED AN EIS AND THE COST ASSOCIATED MUST BE REDUCED. OPPOSE TESTER'S HEADWATERS LEGACY ACT SUPPORT RESCINDING THE CLINTON 2001 ROADLESS RULE THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS SURROUNDING THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THE CLINTON 2001 ROADLESS RULE. WHEN THE ROADLESS RULE WAS IMPLEMENTED MORE THAN 60 MILLION ACRES WERE AFFECTED. EVEN THOUGH THE ROADLESS RULE, IN ITSELF CLAIMS THESE AREAS WERE ROADLESS NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. MOST OF THESE AREAS CONSIDERED ROADLESS CONTAINED ROADS THAT WERE BEING USED TO MANAGE THE RESOURCE BUT ALSO PROVIDED RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. GOVERNMENT LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCIES HAVE USED THIS ROADLESS RULE OVER THE LAST 23 YEARS TO CLOSE ROADS AND PROHIBIT ACTIVE LAND MANAGEMENT. CBU AND OUR MEMBERS BELIEVE THAT THE ROADLESS RULE SHOULD BE RESCINDED AND THESE AREAS SHOULD BE RELEASED BACK TO MULTIPLE USE AND ACTIVE MANAGEMENT. SUPPORT RESCINDING THE BLM CONSERVATION LEASING RULE SUPPORT SOUTH BOULDER ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECT MEMBERS OF CBU HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH PARK AND SWEET GRASS COUNTIES TO REPAIR THE ROAD AND BRIDGE IN THE SOUTH BOULDER THAT WAS DESTROYED IN THE FLOOD OF 2023. BOTH PARK AND SWEET GRASS COUNTIES DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT AND HAVE APPLIED TO FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) TO ACQUIRE FUNDS TO REPAIR THE ROAD AND TWO BRIDGES IN THE SOUTH BOULDER PROVIDING ACCESS TO PROVIDE PROPERTY, CHURCH CAMP, AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES. CBU WILL BE WORKING WITH THESE COUNTIES IN APPLYING FOR GRANTS TO ASSIST IN THEIR EFFORTS. WORKING WITH FWP AND OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN GALLATIN COUNTY TO DEVELOP A SHOOTING RANGE AT LOGAN CBU UNDERSTANDS THE NEED FOR A PUBLIC SHOOTING RANGE IN THE GALLATIN VALLEY. SINCE THE FOREST SERVICE INITIATED AND IMPLEMENTED A COMPLETE CLOSURE IN THE HYALITE CANYON AREA SOUTH OF BOZEMAN RESIDENTS HAVE FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AN AREA THAT PROVIDES SAFE RECREATIONAL SHOOTING. THE PROPOSED LOGAN AREA, WHEN DEVELOPED, WOULD PROVIDE THIS RECREATIONAL SHOOTING OPPORTUNITY AND CBU IS WORKING WITH MONTANA FWP AND MONTANA DNRC TO DEVELOP THIS AREA. SUPPORTING PARK COUNTY MOTOR VEHICLE PARK IN DEVELOPING A MOTORIZED RECREATION FACILITY IN PARK COUNTY PARK COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CLOSED THE FAIRGROUNDS IN LIVINGSTON TO ALL MOTORIZED ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS. IN RESPONSE TO THIS ACTION BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION A GROUP OF CITIZENS ARE WORKING TO FIND AN AREA TO DEVELOP MOTORIZED RECREATION AND HOLD EVENTS. CBU IS HELPING THIS GROUP IN FINDING A LOCATION AND DEVELOPING THIS FACILITY. CBU AND OUR MEMBERS SPEND COUNTLESS HOURS EVERY YEAR IN AN EFFORT TO PRESERVE THE LAST REMAINING PUBLIC LANDS OPEN TO MULTIPLE USE. WHETHER IT BE MOTORIZED OR MECHANIZED USE FOR RECREATION, ACTIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT, AND TIMBER HARVEST TO REDUCE FUEL LOADS, OR RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN PROVIDING MATERIALS NEEDED IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES, CBU AND OUR MEMBERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF USING AND CARING FOR OUR PUBLIC LANDS.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION B, LINE 11B	THE FORM 990 FILING WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE MEMBERS AT THE NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING.
FORM 990, PART VI, SECTION C, LINE 19	THE GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY, AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UPON REQUEST.

For Paperwork Reduction Act Notice, see the Instructions for Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Cat. No. 51056K

Schedule O (Form 990) (Rev. 1-2025)

Additional Data

Software ID:
Software Version:

1	Briefly describe the organization’s mission or most significant activities: TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUES THAT CONFRONT OUR ABILITY TO ACCESS AND ACTIVELY MANAGE OUR PUBLIC LANDS.
2	Check this box
3	Number of voting members of the governing body (Part VI, line 1a) ........	3	7
4	Number of independent voting members of the governing body (Part VI, line 1b) .....	4	7
5	Total number of individuals employed in calendar year 2024 (Part V, line 2a) ......	5	0
6	Total number of volunteers (estimate if necessary) .............	6	7
7a	Total unrelated business revenue from Part VIII, column (C), line 12 ........	7a	0
b	Net unrelated business taxable income from Form 990-T, Part I, line 11 .........	7b	0

		Prior Year	Current Year
8	Contributions and grants (Part VIII, line 1h) .........	94,573	100,969
9	Program service revenue (Part VIII, line 2g) .........	0	0
10	Investment income (Part VIII, column (A), lines 3, 4, and 7d ) ....	0	0
11	Other revenue (Part VIII, column (A), lines 5, 6d, 8c, 9c, 10c, and 11e)	23,219	12,694
12	Total revenue—add lines 8 through 11 (must equal Part VIII, column (A), line 12)	117,792	113,663
13	Grants and similar amounts paid (Part IX, column (A), lines 1–3 )...	7,700	5,400
14	Benefits paid to or for members (Part IX, column (A), line 4).....	0	0
15	Salaries, other compensation, employee benefits (Part IX, column (A), lines 5–10)	0	0
16a	Professional fundraising fees (Part IX, column (A), line 11e) .....	0	0
b	Total fundraising expenses (Part IX, column (D), line 25) 0
17	Other expenses (Part IX, column (A), lines 11a–11d, 11f–24e)....	82,463	121,661
18	Total expenses. Add lines 13–17 (must equal Part IX, column (A), line 25)	90,163	127,061
19	Revenue less expenses. Subtract line 18 from line 12.......	27,629	-13,398
		Beginning of Current Year	End of Year
20	Total assets (Part X, line 16).............	164,595	151,197
21	Total liabilities (Part X, line 26).............	0	0
22	Net assets or fund balances. Subtract line 21 from line 20.....	164,595	151,197

Sign Here

	Signature of officer	Date

	Type or print name and title


4a	(Code: ) (Expenses $ 121,541 including grants of $ 5,400 ) (Revenue $ )
	IN 2024, CBU MARKED ITS 20TH YEAR ADVOCATING FOR MULTIPLE-USE ACCESS TO PUBLIC LANDS. THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS COLLABORATIVE GROUPS (BDWG, BEDRC, TSRA, SWMCC) AND MEETINGS ACROSS MONTANA AND NEIGHBORING STATES, PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE FOREST MANAGEMENT, TRAIL DEVELOPMENT, AND ACCESS FOR ALL USERS, INCLUDING THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED.CBU OPPOSED RESTRICTIVE DESIGNATIONS LIKE NEW WILDERNESS AREAS AND CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, CITING THEIR NEGATIVE IMPACT ON LOCAL ECONOMIES AND LAND ACCESS. THEY SUPPORTED INITIATIVES LIKE THE BUCK CREEK NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, MCCARTY ROAD SURVEY, AND FISH CREEK TRAIL DEVELOPMENT.THE GROUP RAISED AWARENESS ABOUT THE MISUSE OF THE EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE ACT (EAJA), EXCESSIVE LITIGATION, AND REGULATORY BURDENS THAT HINDER LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. CBU ALSO ENGAGED IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, FUNDRAISING EVENTS LIKE THE TRAILRAISER BANQUET, AND MEDIA OUTREACH INCLUDING MONTANA TALKS.THEY ADVOCATED FOR REVISING FEDERAL ACTS (ESA, NEPA, EAJA), SUPPORTED RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, AND WORKED WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PRESERVE CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ECONOMIC VITALITY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. CBU REMAINS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING ACCESS, PROMOTING STEWARDSHIP, AND SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE USE OF PUBLIC LANDS.

4b	(Code: ) (Expenses $ including grants of $ ) (Revenue $ )












4c	(Code: ) (Expenses $ including grants of $ ) (Revenue $ )












4d	Other program services (Describe in Schedule O.)
	(Expenses $ including grants of $ ) (Revenue $ )
4e	Total program service expenses121,541

(A) Name and title	(B) Average hours per week (list any hours for related organizations below dotted line)	(C) Position (do not check more than one box, unless person is both an officer and a director/trustee)		(D) Reportable compensation from the organization (W-2/1099-MISC/1099-NEC)	(E) Reportable compensation from related organizations (W-2/1099-MISC/1099-NEC)	(F) Estimated amount of other compensation from the organization and related organizations
(A) Name and title
(1) STACY BRAGG...................................................................... BOARD MEMBER	15.00 .................	X		0	0	0
(2) KELSEY KRISTENSEN...................................................................... BOARD MEMBER	1.00 .................	X		0	0	0
(3) LOREN BLANKSMA...................................................................... BOARD MEMBER	1.00 .................	X		0	0	0
(4) WES FEHRER...................................................................... BOARD MEMBER	1.00 .................	X		0	0	0
(5) TODD TROTTER...................................................................... BOARD MEMBER	1.00 .................	X		0	0	0
(6) BEN ERICKSON...................................................................... PRINCIPAL	25.00 .................	X	X	0	0	0
(7) AMY BREIDER...................................................................... BOARD MEMBER	1.00 .................	X		0	0	0
(8) KERRY WHITE...................................................................... EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR	30.00 .................		X	30,000	0	0

1b	Sub-Total..............
c	Total from continuation sheets to Part VII, Section A..
d	Total (add lines 1b and 1c).........	30,000	0	0

(A) Name and business address	(B) Description of services	(C) Compensation





2 Total number of independent contractors (including but not limited to those listed above) who received more than $100,000 of compensation from the organization 0

1a	Federated campaigns..		1a
b	Membership dues..		1b
c	Fundraising events..		1c	30,440
d	Related organizations		1d
e	Government grants (contributions)		1e

f	All other contributions, gifts, grants, and similar amounts not included above		1f	70,529

g	Noncash contributions included in lines 1a - 1f:$		1g	30,440

h Total. Add lines 1a-1f.......		100,969

		Business Code
2a
b
c
d
e
f	All other program service revenue.
g	Total. Add lines 2a–2f .....

3 Investment income (including dividends, interest, and othersimilar amounts) ......
4 Income from investment of tax-exempt bond proceeds
5 Royalties...........
			(i) Real	(ii) Personal
6a	Gross rents	6a
b	Less: rental expenses	6b
c	Rental income or (loss)	6c
d	Net rental income or (loss).......
			(i) Securities	(ii) Other
7a	Gross amount from sales of assets other than inventory	7a
b	Less: cost or other basis and sales expenses	7b
c	Gain or (loss)	7c
d	Net gain or (loss).........
8a	Gross income from fundraising events (not including $ 30,440of contributions reported on line 1c). See Part IV, line 18 ....
			8a	29,342
b	Less: direct expenses ...		8b	48,204
c	Net income or (loss) from fundraising events..			-18,862			-18,862
9a	Gross income from gaming activities. See Part IV, line 19 ...
			9a	48,940
b	Less: direct expenses ...		9b	17,384
c	Net income or (loss) from gaming activities..			31,556			31,556
10a	Gross sales of inventory, less returns and allowances ..
			10a
b	Less: cost of goods sold ..		10b
c	Net income or (loss) from sales of inventory..

Business Code
11a
b
c
d	All other revenue ....
e	Total. Add lines 11a–11d ......
12	Total revenue. See instructions.....			113,663	0	0	12,694

1	Grants and other assistance to domestic organizations and domestic governments. See Part IV, line 21 ....	5,400	5,400
2	Grants and other assistance to domestic individuals. See Part IV, line 22 ...........
3	Grants and other assistance to foreign organizations, foreign governments, and foreign individuals. See Part IV, lines 15 and 16. .............
4	Benefits paid to or for members .......
5	Compensation of current officers, directors, trustees, and key employees ...........
6	Compensation not included above, to disqualified persons (as defined under section 4958(f)(1)) and persons described in section 4958(c)(3)(B) .........
7	Other salaries and wages........
8	Pension plan accruals and contributions (include section 401(k) and 403(b) employer contributions) ....
9	Other employee benefits .......
10	Payroll taxes ...........
11	Fees for services (non-employees):
a	Management ......
b	Legal .........
c	Accounting ...........	8,635	7,340	1,295
d	Lobbying ...........
e	Professional fundraising services. See Part IV, line 17
f	Investment management fees ......
g	Other (If line 11g amount exceeds 10% of line 25, column (A) amount, list line 11g expenses on Schedule O)	4,616	3,924	692
12	Advertising and promotion ....	4,335	4,335
13	Office expenses .......	845	718	127
14	Information technology ......
15	Royalties ..
16	Occupancy ...........
17	Travel ............	546	546
18	Payments of travel or entertainment expenses for any federal, state, or local public officials .
19	Conferences, conventions, and meetings ....	726	726
20	Interest ...........
21	Payments to affiliates .......
22	Depreciation, depletion, and amortization ..	1,540	1,309	231
23	Insurance ...	130	130
24	Other expenses. Itemize expenses not covered above (List miscellaneous expenses in line 24e. If line 24e amount exceeds 10% of line 25, column (A) amount, list line 24e expenses on Schedule O.)
a	OUTSIDE SERVICES	43,570	43,570
b	PROJECT EXPENSES	27,879	27,879
c	WEBSITE	13,549	11,517	2,032
d	PRINTING AND PUBLICATIO	5,986	5,986
e	All other expenses	9,304	8,161	1,143
25	Total functional expenses. Add lines 1 through 24e	127,061	121,541	5,520	0
26	Joint costs. Complete this line only if the organization reported in column (B) joint costs from a combined educational campaign and fundraising solicitation. Check here if following SOP 98-2 (ASC 958-720).

1	Cash–non-interest-bearing ........			155,286	1	143,428
2	Savings and temporary cash investments .........				2
3	Pledges and grants receivable, net ......				3
4	Accounts receivable, net .............				4
5	Loans and other receivables from any current or former officer, director, trustee, key employee, creator or founder, substantial contributor, or 35% controlled entity or family member of any of these persons .......
					5
6	Loans and other receivables from other disqualified persons (as defined under section 4958(f)(1)), and persons described in section 4958(c)(3)(B) ...
					6
7	Notes and loans receivable, net ...........				7
8	Inventories for sale or use ............				8
9	Prepaid expenses and deferred charges ......				9
10a	Land, buildings, and equipment: cost or other basis. Complete Part VI of Schedule D	10a	28,510
b	Less: accumulated depreciation	10b	20,741	9,309	10c	7,769
11	Investments—publicly traded securities .				11
12	Investments—other securities. See Part IV, line 11 .....				12
13	Investments—program-related. See Part IV, line 11 ..				13
14	Intangible assets ...............				14
15	Other assets. See Part IV, line 11 ...........				15
16	Total assets. Add lines 1 through 15 (must equal line 33)...			164,595	16	151,197

17	Accounts payable and accrued expenses .....		17
18	Grants payable ...		18
19	Deferred revenue .........		19
20	Tax-exempt bond liabilities .........		20
21	Escrow or custodial account liability. Complete Part IV of Schedule D		21
22	Loans and other payables to any current or former officer, director, trustee, key employee, creator or founder, substantial contributor, or 35% controlled entity or family member of any of these persons .........
			22
23	Secured mortgages and notes payable to unrelated third parties ..		23
24	Unsecured notes and loans payable to unrelated third parties ..		24
25	Other liabilities (including federal income tax, payables to related third parties, and other liabilities not included on lines 17 - 24). Complete Part X of Schedule D		25
26	Total liabilities. Add lines 17 through 25..	0	26	0

	Organizations that follow FASB ASC 958, check here and complete lines 27, 28, 32, and 33.
27	Net assets without donor restrictions ..........		27
28	Net assets with donor restrictions ...........		28
	Organizations that do not follow FASB ASC 958, check here and complete lines 29 through 33.
29	Capital stock or trust principal, or current funds .....	0	29	0
30	Paid-in or capital surplus, or land, building or equipment fund ...	0	30	0
31	Retained earnings, endowment, accumulated income, or other funds	164,595	31	151,197
32	Total net assets or fund balances ...........	164,595	32	151,197
33	Total liabilities and net assets/fund balances ........	164,595	33	151,197