Tag: Public Lands

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Angus King (I-Maine), top Republican and Democrat on the Senate’s National Parks Subcommittee, introduced the bipartisan “Gateway Community and Recreation Enhancement Act” to support gateway communities and address challenges facing national parks and public lands like increased visitation and housing shortages. The bipartisan bill also aims to help boost visitation at lesser known parks and recreation areas. “Our national parks and public lands set us apart from the rest of the world, and Montana’s gateway communities know firsthand the benefits and challenges they bring. While increased recreation on our public lands and

U.S. SENATE — Today, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bill that will streamline the permitting process for outfitters and guides to help increase access to public lands and support small businesses. Watch and download the remarks HERE. “Because of Montana’s checkerboard land ownership patterns, a guided hunt often will cross into multiple land jurisdictions sometimes in just one day. Since each federal land agency has a separate permitting process, this means that guides and outfitters often have to go through multiple departments and permitting processes all for one trip. This is duplicative

U.S. SENATE — Today, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced two of Senator Steve Daines’ bipartisan bills that will improve Montanans’ access to public lands and support outdoor recreation. “I’m glad to see my two commonsense, bipartisan bills that increase access to public lands, support outdoor recreation, and ensure ski revenues are invested back in Montana forests come one step closer to Senate passage,” Daines said.  The bipartisan “Modernizing Access to our Public Land Act” (MAPLAND Act) will facilitate public access and raise awareness of outdoor opportunities on Montana public lands, while protecting private property rights.  Daines’ MAPLAND Act is supported by several Montana sportsmen groups including Theodore Roosevelt

U.S. SENATE — As the top Republican on the U.S. Senate National Parks Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a hearing to examine the effects of increased visitation at Montana’s national parks. Daines invited Whitefish Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kevin Gartland as a witness to talk about the impact gateway communities like Whitefish are seeing from the boost in tourism. Click HERE to watch and download the Senator’s opening remarks. Download TV elements HERE. “Glacier National Park is one of the Crown Jewels of the park system and a major attraction for tourists around the world who support thousands of jobs and boost the economy for our local communities. Whitefish

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the bipartisan “Modernizing Access to our Public Land Act” to facilitate access and raise awareness of outdoor opportunities on Montana public lands, while protecting private property rights.   “Technology revolutionized the ways in which Montana sportsmen navigate our lands. Public lands agencies need to modernize and catch up to the digital age by digitizing and making maps and other public health information publicly and readily accessible,” Daines said. “The MAPLAND Act will facilitate public access, raise awareness for our communities, protect private property rights, and ensure responsible, safe recreation in Montana.” Daines discussed the benefits of this bipartisan bill at a

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines led his first hearing of the year as the lead Republican of the National Parks Subcommittee, where he examined the state of the National Park System, including park readiness as they reopen for the busy summer season.  Click HERE to watch and download the Senator’s opening remarks. Download TV elements HERE. At the hearing, Daines raised the issue of challenges national parks face in upgrading and providing needed housing to hire and recruit top tier employees, as well as the lack of housing in gateway communities that are landlocked by federal land. Click HERE to watch and download the Senator’s remarks. Daines then asked famous

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ resolution marking April 17, 2021 through April 25, 2021 as National Parks Week passed the U.S. Senate today. Daines is the top Republican on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks.  “Our national parks set America apart from the rest of the world. In Montana, our parks are part of our way of life,” Daines said. “I hope that folks take this week to find their park and enjoy everything the great outdoors has to offer.”  This resolution encourages people around the country and world to spend time in America’s

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the “Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2021,” which would remove grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem from the Endangered Species List, prevent further obstruction in the courts, and return management of the species back to the hands of Montanans.     Watch and download video statement HERE. “The science is clear: the grizzly bear population has more than recovered in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Area. Wildlife management must be determined by science, not by activist judges. Montana-led management is what’s best for our communities, public safety, ecosystems, wildlife, and the grizzly bear itself. It