Forest Service Responds to Daines’ Request to Open Public Comment Period on the Bitterroot National Forest

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) responded to his request to open a court-ordered objection period to allow all Montanans to provide public comment on the recent closure of the mountain bike uses across 62 miles of trails in the Blue Joint and Sapphire Wilderness Study areas found on the Bitterroot National Forest.

“With over 80 percent of Montanans recreating on their public lands, rivers, and lakes, and Montana’s outdoor recreation economy accounting for over $7 billion in consumer spending, we should be facilitating more participation and public input in public land management decisions, and encouraging more recreation on public lands, not less,” Daines stated.  “I am pleased the Forest Service accommodated my request on behalf of public land users in Montana that did not have an opportunity to have their voices heard. I look forward to reviewing the feedback.”

For Daines’ request letter to the USFS click HERE.

For the USFS announcement click HERE.

 

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