Daines Joins Bill to Create Whole-of-Government Effort to Mitigate Wildfires
U.S. Senator Steve Daines helped introduce bipartisan legislation to create a national Wildfire Intelligence Center between the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior. If implemented, the legislation would create a unified, streamlined federal response to wildland fires with information sharing across various federal, state and academic institutions. “As fire season rapidly approaches for Montana, we need all hands on deck to prevent catastrophic disasters. Sharing information and resources between agencies will undoubtedly help Montana communities take preventive measures and better combat fires and coordinate response efforts,” said Daines. Read the bill text HERE. Daines joined Senators
Daines Calls Forest Service Withdrawal of Old Growth Amendment “Victory for Commonsense, Local Management of our Forests”
U.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement today after the U.S. Forest Service announced it is withdrawing the National Old Growth Amendment draft environmental impact statement: “Montanans are sick of breathing in smoke and the Forest Service heard their concerns loud and clear. Today is a victory for commonsense local management of our forests. Now the folks on the ground can get back to managing our forests rather than bowing to the green lobby and getting bogged down in needless paperwork. Montana’s old growth forests are already protected by each individual Forest Plan, so this proposal would have simply delayed work
Daines Calls Out U.S. Forest Service for Lack of Fire Management Transparency
Echoes Concerns Raised by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the United States Forest Service (USFS) requesting more transparency about wildfire management strategy actions following recent concerns raised by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. More transparency will help the public better understand how USFS plans to handle wildfires and will allow for better oversight as well. “Montanans are tired of breathing in smoke and as Governor Gianforte points out, the Biden-Harris Forest Service failed Montanans in a number of areas. Specifically, the Forest Service is not being transparent with state partners and the
Daines Urges Biden Administration to Withdraw Costly, Burdensome Mandate on Montana Firefighters, Sheriffs
U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) calling for the withdrawal of its Emergency Response Standard rule which would impose more than $14,000 in unfunded mandates on volunteer fire departments in Montana. Daines emphasized the immediate negative impacts this rule will have on fire and rescue operations in Montana. Daines wrote in the letter: “Montana’s vast rural and forested landscape provides unique challenges for the small volunteer and career fire departments who serve on the frontlines every day, and especially during wildfire season. These departments, despite facing an ever-growing list of challenges, always
Daines Bill to Unlock Public Access, Improve Forest Management One Step Closer to Becoming Law
Bill improves conservation of 100,000 acres of public land U.S. SENATE – Today U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ “Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act” to return to general management three restrictive Wilderness Study Area (WSA) designations that can hinder land management and public access passed the Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support. “My ‘Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act’ will help protect our Montana way of life by promoting public access to public lands, improving the ability to restore wildlife habitat and reducing the risk of wildfire. This is a big win for Montana sportsmen and a big win for conservation, I’m glad to see my bill move
Daines Talks Montana Ag, Forestry, Tribal Priorities for Farm Bill at Indian Affairs Committee Hearing
Welcomes witness from MT association to discuss Tribal access to ag programs U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing discussed Tribal priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill, including the Good Neighbor Authority to promote Tribal involvement in forest management and Tribal access to ag programs. Abi Fain, Director of Policy and Government Relations with the Intertribal Agriculture Council headquartered in Billings, spoke before the Committee. Watch and download Daines’ opening remarks HERE. “As the Senate crafts the Farm Bill, it’s important to ensure that Montana tribal ag producers and their voices are heard so that the next farm bill works
Daines Calls on Biden Administration to Analyze Sawtimber Levels in Montana
Encourages public-private partnerships to bolster active forest management U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined a group of his colleagues in urging U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore to analyze and release standing sawtimber levels in high priority firesheds in Montana. This data is important to motivate and focus collaborative work between federal land management agencies and private forest product companies as they work to remove hazardous fuels. Active forest management is the most effective means to preventing catastrophic wildfires. Additionally, utilizing public-private partnerships can simultaneously reduce fire risk and vitalize rural communities in Montana that rely on the timber industry. “Decades of wildfire
Daines Fights for More Public Access, Better Forest Management
Promotes bill to improve conservation of 100,000 acres of public land at Senate hearing U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines, at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, announced the introduction of his “Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act” to remove certain restrictive Wilderness Study Area (WSA) designations that can hinder land management and public access. At the hearing, Biden administration officials explained that returning the WSAs to general public land management will help mitigate wildfire risk and increase public access to public lands while keeping important protections in place. Listen to Daines’ full remarks HERE. “My ‘Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act’ will improve the ability to
Daines Introduces Bill to Protect Montana Communities, Firefighters from Wildfires 
U.S. SENATE –Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the “Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act” to protect firefighters, communities and property in Montana and throughout the West from the devastating impacts of wildfires. The bill ensures the continued use of fire retardant to manage wildfires and protect communities and firefighters. “In recent years, Montana has suffered catastrophic wildfire seasons. We must do everything we can to cut bureaucratic red tape and put an end to frivolous litigation that’s preventing our brave firefighters from using all means necessary to protect our Montana families and communities from these deadly flames,” said Daines. Daines joined Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho),