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 Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited, Congressional Sportsmen Foundation, and Montana Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.
The bipartisan “Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act” (SHRED Act) will invest in outdoorrecreation and forest management in mountain communities by ensuring National Forests in Montana retain a portion of the annual fees that ski areas operating within their boundaries pay to support local recreation, improve visitor experience, and advance local forest management priorities.
Daines’ SHRED Act is supported by the Montana Ski Association.
###
Contact: Katherine McKeogh, Katie Schoettler