Daines Speaks on Historic Blackfeet Water Compact Vote
U.S. SENATE – United States Senator Steve Daines today took to the Senate floor to speak on the historic Blackfeet Water Compact vote in the U.S. Senate. As a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Daines worked with Senator Jon Tester to include authorization for the Blackfeet Water Compact in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed the Senate 95-3. “Today is a good day for Montana and the Blackfeet people. With the passage of the Water Resource Development Act, the Blackfeet Water Rights Resettlement Act is one step closer to the President’s desk. Today’s action marks the first time the
Daines Announces over $1.3 Million for Yellowstone Airport
U.S. SENATE – United States Senator Steve Daines today announced $1,332,461 funding for critical upgrades at the Yellowstone Airport located just north of West Yellowstone. “This grant will help ensure that one of Montana’s top tourist destinations, Yellowstone National Park, remains easily accessible and safe for air travelers for years to come,” Daines stated. The funding will be used to rehabilitate the apron and taxiway. In August, Daines announced an additional $3.4 million in funding for critical updates at Yellowstone Airport. Daines secured the following provisions in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization: · Airport Improvement Program (AIP) dollars which build and maintain Montana’s
Montana Congressional Delegation Announces $2 Million for Whitefish Lake Watershed Project
U.S. CONGRESS — U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Jon Tester and U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke today announced $2 million in funding for the Whitefish Lake Watershed Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Project. The funding is made available through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). “It’s great news that we were able to secure additional funds to help protect Montana’s natural resources and preserve it for future generations,” Daines stated. “The Whitefish Lake Watershed Project is another example of the critical role LWCF in conservation and recreation in our local communities.” “I am thrilled that Montana’s Congressional delegation was able to
Daines Applauds House Bill to Stop Gitmo Transfers
U.S. SENATE – United States Senator Steve Daines today applauded passage of legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to temporarily ban the transfer or release of detainees from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. Daines introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate in May. “The Obama administration’s reasoning for releasing or transferring some of the most dangerous known terrorists in the world is reckless and degrades our national security. I applaud Congressman Zinke for his work to quickly put an end to this,” Daines stated. U.S. officials yesterday confirmed that additional terrorists formerly released from Guantanamo by the Obama administration have returned to fighting with militant
Tester, Daines Push Senate to Authorize Historic Blackfeet Water Compact
(U.S. Senate)—Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today pushed the authorization of the Blackfeet Water Compact through the U.S. Senate. As members of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, Tester and Daines worked together to include authorization for the Blackfeet Water Compact in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which passed the Senate 95-3. The Blackfeet Water Compact will resolve all claims to water rights on the Blackfeet Reservation and ensure access to reliable and clean water for the communities within the Reservation, as well as farms, ranches, and businesses in the surrounding area. “Today marks a major milestone for the
Daines: Obamacare Rate Increases are Unacceptable
U.S. SENATE – United States Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement upon the announcement that the average final rate filings for Obamacare insurance plans will be as high as 58 percent. “It is unconscionable that Montanans will be stuck with such astronomical increases on their individual health insurance plans because of the train wreck that is Obamacare,” Daines stated. “These rates confirm that Obamacare is broken and needs to be repealed and replaced with a Montana-driven solution.” Average increases for Montana’s top three insurance providers range from 27 to 58 percent, with the highest increase for Blue Cross
Kootenai Forest Project Blocked Days Before Logging to Begin
HELENA — Two federal appellate judges have blocked a Kootenai National Forest logging project two days before cutting was to begin. The East Reservoir Project approved by the U.S. Forest Service calls for logging 8,845 acres of forest on the east side of Lake Koocanusa, approximately 15 miles east of Libby. The timber total — roughly 39 million board feet – represents more board feet than the Kootenai National Forest typically harvests in a year. The timber harvest in 2012 was 24 million board feet. During the logging heyday of the 1980s, however, the annual Kootenai timber harvest often topped 200 million
Daines, Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Encourage Landscape Approach to Forest Management
U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-MT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today introduced legislation to encourage cross boundary management of forests to protect water resources, enhance wildlife habitat, restore forest health, and strengthen local economies. The bipartisan Environmental and Economic Benefits Restoration Act of 2016 would encourage a landscape approach to forest management. “I’ve been working closely with Montanans to make sure that we have locally-driven management of our forests,” Daines stated. “This bipartisan solution will help create healthy forests and more good-paying jobs.” The Environmental and Economic Benefits Restoration Act of 2016, a part of Daines’ effort to improve forest management: Bolsters the use of Good
Missoulian: Daines introduces good-neighbor forestry bill
State foresters would have more ways to help manage federal and private forests under a bipartisan proposal authored by senators Steve Daines and Amy Klobuchar. Daines, R-Mont., and Klobuchar, D-Minn., introduced the Environmental and Economic Benefits Restoration Act of 2016 on Monday evening. In an interview on Tuesday, Daines said the legislation would make it easier for states to help the U.S. Forest Service get hazardous fuels reduction work done. “One frustration we have as Montanans, is we see the state out managing state lands, but we don’t see our national forests getting actively managed,” Daines said. “This would allow