Daines’ “Root and Stem Act,” “Gateway Community Recreation and Enhancement Act” also pass out of Committee
U.S. SENATE – Today, three of U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ priorities passed with unanimous bipartisan support out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Daines’ bill to fix the disastrous 9th Circuit Cottonwood decision, his bipartisan “Root and Stem Act” and his bipartisan “Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act” are now one step closer to becoming law.
9th Circuit Cottonwood Fix:
Daines’ bill to reverse the disastrous 9th Circuit Cottonwood decision will help increase active forest management by finally aligning consultation requirements in Montana and other states in the 9th Circuit with the rest of the country. It is a major win for Montana that will help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, restore Montana’s forests, and support good-paying timber jobs.
After the bill passed the committee, Daines said, “Montanans are sick and tired of breathing in smoke every year. It’s past time we fix the procedural loophole being abused by fringe groups in the courts to block commonsense forest management projects. It’s time to get my bill signed into law.”
“Root and Stem Act”:
Daines’ bipartisan “Root and Stem Act” will facilitate efficient and effective forest management by encouraging collaboration and public-private partnerships.
“This bill will encourage collaboration between Montanans and the federal government in order to find new and creative solutions to create healthier environments and economies,” Daines said following passage.
“Gateway Community Recreation and Enhancement Act”:
Daines’ bipartisan “Gateway Community Recreation and Enhancement Act” was included in the larger bipartisan America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. It will support gateway communities and address challenges facing national parks and public lands like increased visitation and housing shortages, boosting visitation at lesser-known parks and recreation areas and requires a digital version of the America the Beautiful annual pass.
“Montanans know how important our gateway communities are, and supporting the areas around our beautiful national parks and public lands is critical to Montana’s economy. I’ll keep working to get this bill across the finish line,” Daines said after passage.
Daines’ bipartisan bill the, “SOAR Act,” which streamlines the process for issuing special recreation permits for accessing public lands also passed the Committee today as part of the “America’s Outdoor Recreation Act.”
Background:
Daines has been leading the effort in the Senate to reverse the disastrous Cottonwood decision and prevent frivolous litigation from tying up Montana forest projects.
At an ENR hearing last month, U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore called Daines’ bill a high-priority and bipartisan priority for this Congress.
Earlier this year, Daines pushed for his full and permanent fix for the 9th Circuit Cottonwood decision to be included in the President’s FY24 budget.
Last year, Daines’ bill to reverse the disastrous Cottonwood decision passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with strong bipartisan support.