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

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.

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To download full video statement, click HERE

“Well I’m pleased to introduce this bill with Dianne Feinstein, Democrat Senator from California working with me a Republican from Montana in a bipartisan way to address the issue of wildfire risk and reduce them,” Daines said. “This is about workers. This is about wildfires. It’s about wildlife. It’s about watersheds. It’s about protecting our jobs, our way of life here in Montana. We had a great discussion earlier today. Got to keep fighting to ensure we are managing our forests more effectively. Either we’re going to manage our forests or our forests are going to manage us.”

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TO DOWLOAD TV ELEMENTS, CLICK HERE.

Daines was joined by leaders and local officials from the Boone and Crocket Club, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Stoltze Land and Lumber Company, Montana Wood Products Association, Thompson River Lumber, Idaho Forest Group, Flathead County, Lincoln County and the City of Libby.

Earlier this month Daines introduced his major forest management reform bill after working over a year on a bipartisan product that would have strong bipartisan consensus and would be signed into law. 

Daines’ work on the this major bipartisan forestry reform bill has received significant support from Montana leaders including the Montana Wood Products Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Northwestern Energy and Montana Logging Association. For statements of support, click HERE.

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