In Montana, our public lands are a way of life. As your United States Senator, I will continue to fight for expanded access to our public lands. This includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the proper management of our forests to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.
Access to Montana’s many public lands must be properly managed in a collaborative effort. This includes by private citizens, Native American tribes, and federal and state governments. It is imperative that the federal government be good neighbors with private landowners, and I will fervently work to protect private property rights against improper government encroachment. Simply stated, I will fight to sustain our way of life in Montana for future generations.
Daines Bill to Unlock Public Access, Improve Forest Management One Step Closer to Becoming Law
Bill improves conservation of 100,000 acres of public land U.S. SENATE – Today U.S. Senator Steve Daines’ “Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act” to return to general management three restrictive Wilderness Study Area (WSA) designations that can hinder land management and public access passed the Energy and Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support. “My ‘Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act’ will help protect our Montana way of life by promoting public access to public lands, improving the ability to restore wildlife habitat and reducing the risk of wildfire. This is a big win for Montana sportsmen and a big win for conservation, I’m glad to see my bill move
Daines Celebrates 3rd Anniversary of the Signing of the Great American Outdoors Act
“The Conservative Conservationist” Announces Free Entrance in Recognition of the Anniversary U.S. SENATE – In honor of the third anniversary of the signing of his bipartisan “Great American Outdoors Act,” U.S. Senator Steve Daines released the following statement celebrating this landmark conservation bill’s lasting legacy on public lands in Montana and across the U.S. Daines also took the opportunity to remind Montanans that, in honor of the anniversary, all entrance fees for national parks and wildlife refuges will be waived tomorrow, August 4th, 2023. “The Great American Outdoors Act is a huge win for conservation, for Montana and for America. Here in the Treasure
Daines, Bennet, Marshall Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Outdoor Recreation Opportunities
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) reintroduced the “Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2023.” This bill would expand opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking and other wildlife-dependent activities in America. “As a lifelong sportsman, I grew up hunting, fishing and backpacking and it’s a family tradition that I’ll pass down to my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. It’s all part of our Montana way of life,” Daines said. “This bipartisan bill will strengthen Montana’s outdoor recreation economy and open up more space for families and sportsmen to enjoy local wildlife for generations to come.” “For years, this program has
Daines, Rosendale, Zinke Push for Local Engagement in American Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal
Call on Biden Administration to Hold Appeals Hearing in Malta, Montana U.S. CONGRESS – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Representatives Matt Rosendale and Ryan Zinke today sent a letter urging the Biden administration to hold its appeals hearing concerning the American Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal in Malta, Montana, instead of Billings, which is over 200 miles away from Phillips County. This would allow Montanans most affected by the proposal to easily attend the hearing. “The American Prairie Reserve’s proposal, if implemented, will open nearly 70,000 acres in Phillips County to grazing by non-production livestock, eliminate interior fencing, and modify the season of use.
Daines’ Bipartisan Forest Management Bill Passes U.S. Senate
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced the passage of his bipartisan bill to facilitate efficient and effective forest management by empowering collaboratives and public-private partnerships. “Collaboration is key in better managing Montana’s forests—I’m glad to see this bipartisan bill to bring everyone to the table to help design, develop and implement innovative projects to create healthier environments, empower rural economies, and prevent devastating wildfires pass the U.S. Senate,” Daines said. The “Root and Stem Act” received broad bipartisan support from Montana forestry and conservation groups – see statements of support HERE. Senator Daines introduced the “Root and Stem Act” with Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) in October 2021. See the full text of the “Root and Stem Act” HERE. Senator Daines will continue fighting for
Daines Pushes for Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Complete the Continental Divide Trail
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee called for passage of his bipartisan bill to complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Click HERE to watch and download the full intro. “The Continental Divide Trail Completion Act… is bipartisan, bicameral, will help spur recreation, economic development and grow jobs in Montana and local gateway communities… The tourism and recreation economy that is generated from the trail is a boon to many small towns in Montana. Shuttle services, hotels, restaurants, sporting goods stores and more all benefit from the Continental Divide Trail. In fact, if we look at the state
Daines Slams Biden Administration Over Dismissal of Montana Ag Concerns in APR Grazing Decision
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Tracy Stone-Manning demanding an explanation for the flagrant dismissal of Montana ag groups’ concerns in the decision making process for the America Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal. “On July 28, 2022, the Bureau of Land Management issued a Final Decision for the America Prairie Reserve Grazing Proposal covering nearly 70,000 acres of land in Phillips County. As you know first-hand, given the unprecedented nature of this proposal—authorizing grazing by non-production livestock, eliminating interior fencing, and modifying the season of use—this proposal has garnered controversy
Daines Renews Call for Details of Biden’s Vague 30×30 Initiative
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines, who serves as the Senate Western Caucus Chairman, sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland renewing his request for details on the Biden administration’s “30 by 30” initiative, or “America the Beautiful.” “As we have warned in the past, the lack of information and transparency leads many Westerners to fear the ‘America the Beautiful’ initiative is at best, a thoughtless approach to conservation, and at worst, a top-down land-grab,” the Chairmen wrote. “Healthy and resilient landscapes are the cornerstone of our western way of life. Those who are closest to the land,
Daines Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
WASHIGNTON – Last week, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced legislation directing the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior to prioritize completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) by the trail’s 50th anniversary in 2028. The Senator introduced The Continental Divide Trail Completion Act with Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.). “The Continental Divide Trail provides an unmatched outdoor experience for Montanans and visitors alike,” Daines said. “My bipartisan bill ensures the trail will continue to provide public access and a continuous route will finally be completed!” “The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail