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Tag: Forest Management

Daines Continues Work to Pass Forest Management Reform to Prevent Deadly Wildfires in Montana

July 22, 2021

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

July 14, 2021

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

April 20, 2021

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

February 10, 2021

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

January 12, 2021

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

December 7, 2020

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

December 7, 2020

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

Daines, Feinstein Secure Hearing for Bipartisan Forest Management Bill, Urge Quick Passage

September 9, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Dianne Feinstein today announced that their bipartisan forest management reform bill has been given a hearing date in the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee next week. This announcement follows Daines’ and Feinstein’s direct request to the committee for a hearing. Daines serves as Montana’s voice on the Committee. “As deadly wildfires continue to spread across Montana and the West, it is important now more than ever that we advance this bipartisan forest management reform bill,” Daines said. “This hearing will demonstrate how our legislation will help protect at-risk communities, create jobs and

Daines Calls for Hearing on Bipartisan Forest Management Reform Bill

August 20, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee calling for a hearing as soon as possible on his bipartisan forest management reform legislation. This comes on the heels of a meeting in Kalispell where stakeholders voiced their strong support for seeing this bill signed into law. “Our states are currently experiencing severe wildfires, which have only been exacerbated by the challenges of fighting these natural disasters during COVID-19,” Daines wrote. “Given that the National Wildfire Preparedness Level has increased to Level 4, and California and Montana are in the midst

Daines Hosts Roundtable Discussion on Bipartisan Forestry Bill at Flathead National Forest

August 17, 2020

KALISPELL, MONTANA – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hosted a roundtable discussion with local Montana leaders, conservation groups, leaders in the timber industry, and fire officials on his bipartisan forest management reform bill at Flathead National Forest. Daines’ bipartisan bill will create good paying timber jobs, reduce frivolous litigation, protect air and water quality, and wildlife habitats, and reduce the risk of wildfire in at-risk communities. Daines’ bill is also critical during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic because wildfires could make conditions worse for Montanans with health risks and respiratory illnesses and wildland firefighters are at a greater risk than usual. To