HELENA, Mont. - Gov. Brian Schweitzer wants to spend $15 million over the next two years buying new state parks and fishing access sites - and let Montana seniors and kids fish for free for a year.

"What could be more Montana than that?" Schweitzer said in a recent interview. "Tying generations together through fishing."

The governor's plans are part of his proposed 2008-09 budget, and must be approved by the 2007 Legislature.

The $15 million, outlined last week in Schweitzer's budget, would be a marked increase in money set aside to buy new parks and fishing access sites. Right now, said Ron Aasheim, a spokesman for the state Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department, there is no money specifically set aside for acquisitions.

About $3.8 million was set aside for a program called Habitat Montana, with which the agency buys critical wildlife habitat, including habitat for big game species such as deer and elk. The state's fishing access program has about $269,000, Aasheim said.

But the $15 million in Schweitzer's budget is the first major chunk of money dedicated to buying parks or access in a while, Aasheim said.

"This is certainly a great opportunity to acquire some properties and that would be welcome," he said.

Two of Montana's largest fishing and conservation groups also praised the move.

"We are really excited about it," said Craig Sharpe, executive director of the Montana Wildlife Federation, a hunting and angling group. "There are long stretches of streams and rivers where families and anglers have no access."

Schweitzer's plan would also waive fishing license requirements for Montana children up to age 15 and Montana seniors over the age of 62, for one year. Schweitzer said he likes the idea of grandparents taking their grandkids out fishing to new state parks and fishing holes.

"I want them to be able to pass that legacy on to the next generation," Schweitzer said.

The program is envisioned for one year as a celebration of the new state parks. Montana children up to age 11 already fish for free. Between ages 12 and 14, Montana children must by $8 conservation licenses, but no fishing license. Montana seniors age 62 and older must also buy $8 conservation licenses, but do not have to buy fishing licenses.

The program would not apply to nonresidents.

Aasheim estimated that if the free fishing program becomes law, the state would lose about $391,000 in license revenue. But that money will be replaced by the general state treasury, so Fish, Wildlife and Parks would not lose money through the program.

Mark Aagenes, conservation director for Montana Trout Unlimited, said he "loved the idea" of the free fishing program.

"The goal is to get grandparents and kids out fishing together," he said. "That's fantastic."

Schweitzer said one of the reasons for putting new money into buying parks and fishing sites now is the skyrocketing price of real estate in Montana. He said it only makes sense to buy some land when you've got a little money - and the state of Montana right now has an estimated $1 billion budget surplus.

Sharpe said he, too, supported the idea of buying more state parks and fishing sites while such property is marginally affordable.

"We need more of the access and we need more family fishing opportunities," he said.

Aasheim said the agency has yet to identify any new fishing sites or parks. The state last year acquired its newest park: Brush Lake in northeastern Montana. There had been some preliminary talk to acquire even more park land adjacent to the lake that would allow hiking, camping, hunting, picnicking and fish, but those talks had "come to a standstill."