Daines Calls on Forest Service to Increase Timber Harvest Volume in MT after Falling Short in 2021
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today is calling on the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to do more to reach its timber harvest goals in Montana after falling short by 30% in fiscal year 2021, due in large part to increased litigation and red tape following the Cottonwood decision. Daines stressed that Montana communities rely on the USFS to reach these goals in order to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, protect families from fires and support their economies. “I understand the backlog of consultation due in large to the precedent set by the Cottonwood decision has contributed to the shortfall in volume
Daines Introduces Bill to Promote Collaboration in Montana Forest Management Projects
U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today reintroduced the “Protect Collaboration for Healthier Forests Act” to protect much needed and collaboratively-developed forest management projects that reduce the risk of wildfire in our National Forests from court room obstructionists. “Commonsense forest management projects are too often tied up in lengthy and expensive court room battles by the same fringe environmental groups whose goal is to obstruct these projects, not follow the science or local decisions,” Daines said. “We need to be doing everything we can to support projects that will help us better manage our forests and minimize the risk of devastating wildfires like we’re seeing across Montana right now.” Daines’ bill establishes a pilot
Daines Continues Work to Pass Forest Management Reform to Prevent Deadly Wildfires in Montana
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation that would increase active forest management to prevent deadly wildfires in Montana. This legislation is in addition to several other forest management and wildfire prevention measures Daines is working to get signed into law. “Montana is battling yet another catastrophic wildfire season. We must do everything we can to manage our forests to reduce the risk of severe wildfires and protect Montana families and communities from the deadly flames,” Daines said. “This bill would allow Governors to work with the Forest Service on prioritizing areas at the highest risk of wildfire and expediting treatment to reduce this risk. The ‘FIRESHEDS Act’ responds to the crisis
Daines Secures, Advances Critical Montana Wins Including Funding for St. Mary’s Water Project, Forest Management Reforms to Prevent Deadly Wildfires, Pay Raises for Firefighters
U.S. SENATE —After securing the inclusion of major wins for Montana including and funding for the St. Mary’s Milk River Project, bipartisan forest management provisions to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and provide pay raises to wildland firefighters, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to support a bipartisan proposal out of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “After years of work, I’m glad to finally see funding advanced for the St. Mary’s Milk River water project,” Daines said. “ This funding will help repair critical water infrastructure for Montana’s Hi-Line communities and will ensure farmers, landowners and Tribes have access
Daines, Feinstein Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Wildland Firefighters
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) introduced a bipartisan bill, the “Wildland Firefighter Recognition Act,” to support wildland firefighters. The bipartisan bill would require the Office of Personnel Management to create a job series for wildland firefighters that would help with recruitment efforts and boost morale. “In recent years Montana’s wildland firefighters have faced more intense challenges,” Daines said. “This bill will strengthen our preparedness for future wildfires and ensure we are recruiting and retaining the folks who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect Montana families and communities.” “Federal wildland firefighters put their
Daines, Rosendale: Cottonwood Decision Hurts Montana Timber Jobs, Forest Management Project
U.S. CONGRESS —U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Matt Rosendale today sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service urging the agencies to address the Cottonwood decision that hurts Montana timber jobs and forest management projects in Montana and across the country. “The proposed rule will allow land managers and wildlife biologists to follow the best-available science for consultation. It will remove an ambiguity in current regulations that have led to more lawsuits than conservation work. This rule is critical to improve the health of Montana’s forest, advance wildlife and restoration projects, reduce the risk of
Following Daines’ Work, USFWS to End Burdensome Regulations Harming Montana Forest Projects, Jobs
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on their proposed rule to strike down a burdensome requirement resulting from the Cottonwood decision that yields no conservation benefit and has delayed forest projects while killing Montana timber jobs. The change comes as a result of Daines’ work and efforts. “This is a great step in reducing unnecessary red tape that has tied the hands of our land managers and diverted resources for a paperwork exercise that has no real conservation benefits,” Daines said. “This change will help improve the health of our forests,
Daines, Gianforte Urge Passage of Bipartisan Forest Management Bill
U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Greg Gianforte sent a letter urging Congressional Leadership to pass their bipartisan forest management legislation by the end of the year. The bill will protect Montana communities from deadly wildfires, promote public safety and health, stop frivolous litigation, and create good paying timber jobs. “We write to you near the end of another catastrophic wildfire year. Over 8.7 million acres have burned in the West, 2.2 million acres more than the ten-year average. Experts predict that this trend will continue, as rising temperatures lead to drier, hotter conditions in many parts of
Daines, Feinstein, LaMalfa, Panetta Urge Passage of Bipartisan Forest Management Bill
U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Dianne Feinstein and Congressmen Doug LaMalfa and Jimmy Panetta led a bipartisan group of Members in urging Congressional Leadership to pass their bipartisan wildfire prevention and forest management legislation by the end of the year. The bipartisan bill will protect Western communities from deadly wildfires, promote public safety and create good paying timber jobs. “We write to you near the end of another catastrophic wildfire year. Over 8.7 million acres have burned in the West, 2.2 million acres more than the ten-year average. Experts predict that this trend will continue, as rising temperatures