Senator wants harsher fines for helicopter landings
Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana introduced legislation Monday that would impose stiffer fines for landing unauthorized aerial vehicles in national forest wilderness areas. The proposal comes after Samuel Schwerin, 48, landed a helicopter last month in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in northwest Montana. A horseback rider alerted the Forest Service after seeing the helicopter parked alongside the Flathead River, according to a Justice Department news release. “Wilderness areas were created to be free of motorized activity, including helicopters,” U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said. The pilot was charged the maximum fine of $500. Daines’ bill, S. 4028, would raise the maximum
CSKT Water Rights Bill Gets First Hearing In Congress
The U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee held its first hearing Wednesday on the Montana Water Rights Protection Act. The legislation would settle long-disputed water rights claims of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The bill would prevent costly litigation over thousands of water rights claims filed by the tribes, and would fund the rehabilitation of the Flathead Indian Irrigation Project. Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines spent much of his time during the hearing asking U.S. Department of Interior Assistant Secretary Tim Petty about whether the department supported the bill. Petty said the department supports the bill over costly litigation, but
Daines bill would undo 9th Circuit ruling on thinning
Montana Republican Sen. Steve Daines will introduce legislation today to remove a potential roadblock to forest management projects on federal land. Daines’ bill would remove a requirement — imposed as a result of a lawsuit five years ago — that the Forest Service consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service on land management plans when “new information” emerges about potential effects on endangered species. In practice, the requirement means the Forest Service must reconsult with the Fish and Wildlife Service on forest management plans that have often been in place for years, even when a specific project isn’t in question. That takes
MT Water Rights Protection Act touted as ‘permanent solution’ to Flathead water dispute
MISSOULA — We’re still short of final action. However, that proposal for a nearly $2 billion plan to settle tribal water rights in the Flathead Basin took a major step forward on Wednesday. Trump Administration officials tell the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee the proposal could avoid decades of litigation and save taxpayers billions of dollars. It was just over a year ago Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced the Montana Water Rights Protection Act, a sweeping bill that aims to resolve decades of dispute over treaty water rights for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. It’s not cheap at $1.9
Montana businesses have received more than $2 billion in federal aid
Montana businesses have received more than $1.75 billion in mostly no-payback federal loans from the Paycheck Protection Program, according to figures released this week. The U.S. Small Business Administration reported Monday that 22,583 loans had been issued to Montana businesses. The program is by far the largest source of small business assistance offered by the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By comparison, the state government received $1.25 billion to cover COVID-19 expenses, including expenses of local governments. “Montana certainly took advantage of that program,” said Brent Donnelly, Montana district director of the U.S. Small Business Administration. “As
Daines Sends Bipartisan Letter to USDA on Regulatory Relief for the Meat Processing Industry
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue asking him to consider four areas for regulatory and programmatic reform in the meat processing industry. “When high-capacity processing facilities experienced outbreaks amongst employees, operations were forced to shut-off or slow down production, leaving the rancher with livestock they could not move and the consumer with either empty grocery shelves or overpriced products,” Daines wrote. “These pitfalls can be avoided in the future if we take action today to promote a diversified food supply chain. Regulations must be streamlined to
Daines Announces $1 Million for Montana Department of Justice to Continue Fight Against Meth Epidemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Montana Department of Justice will receive a $1 million grant as part of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Anti-Methamphetamine Program under the Department of Justice. This program provides funding to law enforcement to aid them in slowing the purchasing and distribution of meth that is ravaging Montana communities and families. “This funding will help support our law enforcement and give them resources and tools needed to protect our communities from Montana’s devastating meth crisis,” Daines said. Daines’ Work to Combat Montana’s Drug Epidemic: Last December, Daines voted for a
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Create Jobs, Support Montana Outfitters and Guides Economically Impacted by COVID-19
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill that will provide economic opportunities for Montana’s outfitters and guides impacted by COVID-19 and related travel restrictions. The bipartisan “Trail Stewardship for Economic Recovery Act” will provide funding for outfitters & guides to conduct trail maintenance projects on Forest Service lands. “Montana’s outfitters and guides have seen a drastic decline in business due to the coronavirus pandemic and the travel restrictions that have been put in to place,” Daines said. “My bipartisan bill will help our outfitters and guides make ends meet by creating jobs and new opportunities
Montana receiving health care training funds
Montana’s U.S. senators announced Monday that Montana universities are receiving nearly $1 million in federal funding for health care workforce training. Releases from the offices of Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Steve Daines, R-Mont., said University of Montana in Missoula will receive $438,278 and Montana State University in Bozeman will receive $344,880. The release from Tester’s office said UM’s funding will be for a program that trains medical residents in rural and underserved areas, and MSU’s will be for scholarships to increase diversity in the health care workforce. The funds are coming through the U.S. Department of Health and Human