U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement after the U.S. Forest Service issued a draft of an Environmental Assessment supporting the proposed 20-year mineral withdrawal in the Emigrant Crevice area.
“I am glad that after an extensive process, driven by public input, the U.S. Forest Service is following the local community’s wishes to protect this area that is critical to Montana’s outdoor economy,” said Daines. “I will continue to explore opportunities to move forward with permanent protections.”
Publication of the Environmental Assessment initiates a 30 day public comment period which ends April 29th. Public comments will be considered by the Forest Service before the agency transmits a recommendation to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding whether to withdraw these areas from any new mining claims.
Background:
On July 26, 2017, Daines spoke about Paradise Valley during the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining hearing.
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