Tag: Public Lands

Daines, Rosendale, Zinke Push for Local Engagement in American Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal

Call on Biden Administration to Hold Appeals Hearing in Malta, Montana U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representatives Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke today sent a letter urging the Biden administration to hold its appeals hearing concerning the American Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal in Malta, Montana, instead of Billings, which is over 200 miles away from Phillips County. This would allow Montanans most affected by the proposal to easily attend the hearing. “The American Prairie Reserve’s proposal, if implemented, will open nearly 70,000 acres in Phillips County to grazing by non-production livestock, eliminate interior fencing, and modify the season of use.

Daines’ Bipartisan Forest Management Bill Passes U.S. Senate

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the passage of his bipartisan bill to facilitate efficient and effective forest management by empowering collaboratives and public-private partnerships.  “Collaboration is key in better managing Montana’s forests—I’m glad to see this bipartisan bill to bring everyone to the table to help design, develop and implement innovative projects to create healthier environments, empower rural economies, and prevent devastating wildfires pass the U.S. Senate,” Daines said. The “Root and Stem Act” received broad bipartisan support from Montana forestry and conservation groups – see statements of support HERE.  Senator Daines introduced the “Root and Stem Act” with Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in October 2021. See the full text of the “Root and Stem Act” HERE. Senator Daines will continue fighting for

Daines Pushes for Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Complete the Continental Divide Trail

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee called for passage of his bipartisan bill to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Click HERE to watch and download the full intro. “The Continental Divide Trail Completion Act… is bipartisan, bicameral, will help spur recreation, economic development and grow jobs in Montana and local gateway communities… The tourism and recreation economy that is generated from the trail is a boon to many small towns in Montana. Shuttle services, hotels, restaurants, sporting goods stores and more all benefit from the Continental Divide Trail. In fact, if we look at the state

Daines Slams Biden Administration Over Dismissal of Montana Ag Concerns in APR Grazing Decision

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Tracy Stone-Manning demanding an explanation for the flagrant dismissal of Montana ag groups’ concerns in the decision making process for the America Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal. “On July 28, 2022, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Final Decision for the America Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal covering nearly 70,000 acres of land in Phillips County. As you know first-hand, given the unprecedented nature of this proposal—authorizing grazing by non-production livestock, eliminating interior fencing, and modifying the season of use—this proposal has garnered controversy

Daines Renews Call for Details of Biden’s Vague 30×30 Initiative

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines, who serves as the Senate Western Caucus Chairman, sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland renewing his request for details on the Biden administration’s “30 by 30” initiative, or “America the Beautiful.” “As we have warned in the past, the lack of information and transparency leads many Westerners to fear the ‘America the Beautiful’ initiative is at best, a thoughtless approach to conservation, and at worst, a top-down land-grab,” the Chairmen wrote. “Healthy and resilient landscapes are the cornerstone of our western way of life. Those who are closest to the land,

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

WASHIGNTON – Last week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation directing the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior to prioritize completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) by the trail’s 50th anniversary in 2028. The Senator introduced The Continental Divide Trail Completion Act with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). “The Continental Divide Trail provides an unmatched outdoor experience for Montanans and visitors alike,” Daines said. “My bipartisan bill ensures the trail will continue to provide public access and a continuous route will finally be completed!” “The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

Daines Introduces Bill to Improve Conservation on Over 100,000 Acres of Public Land

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced the “Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act” to restore wildlife habitats, enhance sportsmen opportunities, mitigate wildfire risk, and increase public access to public lands in Montana by removing restrictive Wilderness Study Area (WSA) designations that can hinder land management and public access. The legislation is supported by 19 local leaders and stakeholder groups. “After working with local stakeholders and county commissioners and looking at the science, I’m glad to introduce a bill that would enhance sportsmen opportunities and access, help restore wildlife habitats, and decrease the risk of catastrophic wildfires,” Daines said. “For decades, land managers have been forced to decrease public access and unable to use

Daines Announces Over $53 Million to Support Outdoor Recreation & Conservation of Montana National Forests

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced $53,639,674 will be allocated to support outdoor recreation and conservation on Montana national forests. These resources are provided through Daines’ bipartisan “Great American Outdoors Act” (GAOA). “The ‘Great American Outdoors Act’ was one of the greatest conservation victories in the past 50 years. I’m glad to see Montana national forests and public lands across the country receive important resources to support outdoor recreation and conservation through this historic bill,” Daines said. “As a fifth generation Montanan and avid outdoorsman, I look forward to seeing the continued implementation of the conservation bill to support Montana

Daines, Rosendale Slam Biden Admin for 90-Day Finding on Bison

U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representative Matt Rosendale today issued the following statements after U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced the completion of a 90-day finding on the petition to list bison Distinct Population Segment in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They determined a listing action may be warranted. “The Biden Administration’s action today demonstrates a continued trend of placing politics over science. While Governor Gianforte’s petition to delist the grizzly bear continues to go unanswered, the Administration was once again quick to respond to the requests of activists despite the absence of concrete

Daines, Peters Bipartisan Resolution to Designate “Great Outdoors Month” Passes U.S. Senate

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines, top Republican on the Senate National Parks Subcommittee, and Gary Peters’ bipartisan resolution designating June 2022 as “Great Outdoors Month” passed the United States Senate.  “As a fifth generation Montanan and avid sportsman, I’m glad to designate June 2022 as ‘Great Outdoors Month.’ From hunting, to fly-fishing, to backpacking, exploring the great outdoors is part of our Montana way of life. I encourage folks to get outside and experience everything our national parks and public lands have to offer,” Daines said. “From Sleeping Bear Dunes to Pictured Rocks, Michigan is known for its iconic natural