Search Results for: forestry

Daines’ Amendment to Reduce Frivolous Lawsuits on Forestry Projects Passes Committee

Package also contains Daines-led provisions to increase hydropower development U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the passage of his forestry amendment to the “Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024” by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The amendment ensures that forestry projects under the “Healthy Forests Restoration Act” are given expedited review, ensuring that forest projects will not be delayed by frivolous lawsuits. Also included were provisions to extend hydropower licenses and study market barriers to hydropower development.  “Forestry permitting reform is permitting reform. Far too often, projects to reduce hazardous fuels and restore forest health are

Daines Talks Montana Ag, Forestry, Tribal Priorities for Farm Bill at Indian Affairs Committee Hearing

Welcomes witness from MT association to discuss Tribal access to ag programs U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today at a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing discussed Tribal priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill, including the Good Neighbor Authority to promote Tribal involvement in forest management and Tribal access to ag programs. Abi Fain, Director of Policy and Government Relations with the Intertribal Agriculture Council headquartered in Billings, spoke before the Committee. Watch and download Daines’ opening remarks HERE. “As the Senate crafts the Farm Bill, it’s important to ensure that Montana tribal ag producers and their voices are heard so that the next farm bill works

Daines Hosts Farming and Forestry Roundtable

BOZEMAN, MT —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hosted a roundtable discussion with Montana ag and forestry leaders at the Montana State University (MSU) Post Farm to discuss priorities for the upcoming farm bill. Senator Daines also took a tour of the MSU Post Farm with Dr. Sreekala Bajwa, Vice President, Dean and Director of the MSU College of Agriculture to see the exciting work MSU is doing to support ag innovation and teach the next generation of Montana ag leaders. “It was great to have ag and forestry leaders come together today to discuss Montana’s priorities in the upcoming farm bill. USDA and farm programs must work for

Daines Talks Forest Management, Forestry Jobs at Senate Hearing

U.S. SENATE – At a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines discussed his bipartisan bills that would promote active forest management by reversing the disastrous Cottonwood decision and help protect Montana from catastrophic wildfires by supporting Montana Job Corps Civilian Centers’ mission and ensuring graduates have a pipeline to wildfire and forestry jobs. Click HERE to watch and download “Sustainable forest management creates sustainable rural economies. It also leads to more carbon sequestration, important mitigation strategies that relate to warmer summers and longer fire seasons, healthier watersheds and air, and productive wildlife habitat. Better forest management can also help Montana’s housing shortage—at one time

Daines Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand and Support Forestry Programs, Job Opportunities for Job Corps Students

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bipartisan bill, the  “Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act,” with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) to expand and support specialized forestry and wildland firefighter training for Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center students and ensure a pipeline to good-paying jobs for Job Corps graduates.  “Montana Job Corps Centers help train and prepare young Montanans to enter the workforce,” Daines said. “These centers play an irreplaceable role in our communities especially as the threat of wildfires grow and the forestry sector continues to face labor shortages. Expanding the forestry curriculum, supporting these centers, and ensuring students have a

What They Are Saying: Montana Forestry and Conservation Groups Offer Broad Support for Daines’ Bipartisan Bill to Improve Forest Health and Management

U.S. SENATE – Last week, several forestry and conservation groups voiced their support for U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ new bipartisan bill that would provide for more efficient and effective forest management by empowering collaboratives and public-private partnerships. Daines introduced the bill last week with Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).   Statements of Support for the “Root and Stem Act:” “Only with the help of states and the private sector can we tackle the wildfire crisis and the 80 million acre forest-restoration backlog. Building on the success of the Colville National Forest’s “A to Z” project, the Roots and Stem Project Authorization Act of 2021 proposes to harness the power of public-private

Daines wildfire bill would speed forestry work

Smoke from the West Coast wildfires helped set the stage for a Washington, D.C., hearing on a new wildfire and forest management bill backed by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana. “The West is burning, people are dying, and the smoke is literally starting to cover our country,” Republican Daines said during a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday. “Our way of life as we know it is in danger.” California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein partnered with Daines to produce the Emergency Wildfire and Public Safety Act (S.4431). It would give the U.S. Forest Service

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. To

Daines, Feinstein Developing Major, Bipartisan Forestry Legislation

U.S. SENATE— U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following joint statement on bipartisan legislation they are developing to protect public safety by expediting and expanding the removal of dead, dying and hazardous trees in national forests: “The 2017 and 2018 fire seasons brought unspeakable loss and grief to California and Montana communities. Unfortunately, millions of acres of forests in our states and across the West remain at high risk of catastrophic wildfires, and there is strong consensus that fire seasons will only get worse. We believe additional resources are urgently needed to protect our communities

Daines Announces Chairmanship of Ag Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that his colleagues have selected him to chair the prestigious U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources. The subcommittee is responsible for oversight of the U.S. Forest Service and will play a critical role in forest management reform. It also covers the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the implementation of new regulations related to biotechnology.  “I’m honored to represent Montana’s number one economic driver and will utilize this important role to protect our natural resources and promote our farmers and ranchers,” Daines