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Tag: Wildfire

Daines Introduces Bill to Protect Montana Communities, Firefighters from Wildfires 

March 15, 2023

U.S. SENATE –Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced the “Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act” to protect firefighters, communities and property in Montana and throughout the West from the devastating impacts of wildfires. The bill ensures the continued use of fire retardant to manage wildfires and protect communities and firefighters. “In recent years, Montana has suffered catastrophic wildfire seasons. We must do everything we can to cut bureaucratic red tape and put an end to frivolous litigation that’s preventing our brave firefighters from using all means necessary to protect our Montana families and communities from these deadly flames,” said Daines. Daines joined Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho),

Daines reintroduces Root and Stem Act

February 1, 2023

Source: Daily Inter Lake U.S. Sen. Steve Daines’ office announced Tuesday that he has reintroduced his Root and Stem Act after it passed the Senate during the last congressional session, but not the House. This time, the Montana Republican is introducing the bill with legislators from both houses of Congress in the hopes of securing its quick passage. The Root and Stem Authorization Act will codify the authority of the secretaries of the Agriculture and Interior departments to conduct forest restoration projects alongside private landowners and companies. The legislation aims to facilitate more efficient forest management efforts, supporters say. “Season

Daines Calls on Biden Admin to Address Housing Issues for Wildland Firefighters

January 19, 2023

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today led a group of bipartisan senators calling on the Biden administration to provide information on the availability and cost of federal firefighter housing. In many states, including Montana, housing issues are a key barrier to firefighter recruitment and retention. “On November 17, 2022, the Government Accountability Office published a report on the barriers to wildland firefighter recruitment and retention, and one of the primary barriers identified by the report was the cost associated with a remote duty station, including the costs for federal housing. This finding confirms the anecdotes we have heard from

Forest Service Responds to Daines’ Demands to Expedite Salvage Projects

August 6, 2018

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released comprehensive data on recent forest salvage and restoration projects that have taken place due to Daines’ efforts and the efforts of local elected officials and forest collaboratives. The projects will help reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and create jobs for Montanans. “Last year’s wildfires were devastating for Montana’s communities and forests. Our state and towns were covered with smoke for weeks at a time, and our once flourishing forests turned into tinderboxes,” Daines said. “I’m thankful that the Forest Service has responded to my request – and the request of local communities – to complete

Daines Applauds Decision to Enhance Tools to Combat Wildfires, Protect Public Safety

May 6, 2016

BILLINGS, Mont. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the federal government’s decision to work with Montana to enhance the tools necessary to combat wildfires. “It’s great to see the federal government work with Montanans to combat wildfires,” Daines stated. “While this announcement is a step in the right direction, the Forest Service needs to continue working with our state to utilize all aerial firefighting resources on federal fires at any time to protect our forests and communities.”  Last fire season, Daines urged the United States Department of Agriculture to reverse their prohibition on the use of UH-1H helicopters to combat Montana wildfires. Daines is

Daines Works to Improve Federal Cooperation with Indian Country

March 9, 2016

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today fought to improve Montana’s tribes’ sovereignty, pressing the Obama administration to work more collaboratively and efficiently with Montana’s tribes relating to health care and management of tribal forests.  During two different Senate Committee hearings today, Daines called on witnesses to improve stewardship of federal funds while working to alleviate some of the challenges associated with wildfires in Indian Country. U.S. Indian Health Service Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Request: Click here to download Daines’ remarks. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks.  During this morning’s Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies hearing on the Indian Health

Daines: We Need Forest Management Reform

November 17, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today fervently implored his Senate colleagues to take long-needed action and move forward bipartisan legislation that includes both a solution for wildfire funding and responsible forest management reforms.  Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on wildfire management strategies, Daines reiterated the need for comprehensive, bipartisan solutions that address the wildfire funding challenges facing the Forest Service, implement litigation reforms and improve the health of the National Forest system through increased active forest management.  “I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, let’s come

Daines Reiterates Call to End Fire Borrowing

August 6, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today reiterated his call for the federal government to end the practice of fire borrowing, following the U.S. Forest Service’s recent report on the rising cost of wildfire operations: “Montana has already experienced several high-intensity fires this year. The fire season thus far has been one of the worst in the past decade and has only made more evident the urgent need for a wildfire funding solution. It is critical that Congress end fire borrowing and ensure that the Forest Service can spend more of its budget on making our National Forests more resilient

Daines, Forest Service Affirm Importance of Categorical Exclusions as Forest Restoration Tool

July 16, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today pressed the U.S. Forest Service to outline reforms needed to restore the health of the National Forest system and clarify the importance of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) as utilized by the Forest Service in forest health restoration projects. Click here to download Daines’ questioning. Click here to watch Daines’ questioning. During today’s Energy and Natural Resources hearing, Daines reaffirmed his commitment to forest management reform and asked Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell about how CEs are used to expedite forest restoration projects and enhance the environment. “I’m very determined, I’m very motivated to pass

Daines: Increased Forest Management Vital to Reducing Threat of Wildfire in Montana

May 5, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today emphasized the importance of proper management of Montana’s National Forests to reduce the costly threat of devastating wildfires in Montana.  During today’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the federal government’s role in wildfire management, the impact of fires on communities and potential improvements to be made in fire operations, Daines called on Congress to find long-term solutions for funding wildfire suppression.  “I’ve spent a lot of time traveling across Montana hearing from conservation groups, sportsmen groups and the timber industry, and I think we’ve got great, broad spectrum agreement that we have to change