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Tag: Forest Management

Daines Introduces Major Bipartisan Forest Management Reform Bill

August 5, 2020

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) today introduced major, bipartisan forest management reform legislation. The bipartisan bill increases active management of federal forests, cuts red tape, reduced frivolous litigation and gives the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) the tools to protect communities from deadly wildfires.    “I am very happy to join Senator Feinstein in introducing this strong, commonsense forest management legislation,” Daines said. “This bill will speed up urgently needed projects to reduce wildfire risks, create good paying jobs in the forestry sector, and protect public health and safety. I look forward to working closely with

Daines Introduces Bill to Cut Red Tape to Improve Forest Health, Support Critical Timber Jobs

June 25, 2020

U.S. SENATE – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill that will address the challenges stemming from the Cottonwood decision that created a new standard for re-consultation on Forest Plans when ‘new information’ is made available. The bill will improve the health of forests, advance wildlife and restoration projects, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and support timber jobs. “Even the Obama Administration agreed that the Cottonwood decision was flawed and crippled forest management. This law has tied the hands of our land managers, prevented them from following the best available science in management decisions, and diverted resources for an paperwork exercise yielding

Daines, Feinstein Developing Major, Bipartisan Forestry Legislation

August 1, 2019

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 Helps Move Forward Key Legislation to Reauthorize LWCF, Expand Access to Public Lands

November 19, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today helped move forward critical bipartisan solutions to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and protect and preserve Montana’s outdoors heritage. The Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 passed out of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this morning on a large bipartisan vote. This bill promotes and protects access to Montana’s public lands and increases recreational opportunities for hunters and anglers. Additionally, the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 would shine a light on how the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) payments are empowering obstructionists who frequently litigate forest management projects in Montana and the

Daines: We Need Forest Management Reform

November 17, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today fervently implored his Senate colleagues to take long-needed action and move forward bipartisan legislation that includes both a solution for wildfire funding and responsible forest management reforms.  Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. During a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on wildfire management strategies, Daines reiterated the need for comprehensive, bipartisan solutions that address the wildfire funding challenges facing the Forest Service, implement litigation reforms and improve the health of the National Forest system through increased active forest management.  “I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, let’s come

Daines: Montana Counties Set to Receive $2.3 Million in Additional PILT Payments

November 4, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that the Department of Interior has allocated nearly $2.3 million in additional Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funds to Montana rural counties. The Department of Interior has issued nationwide an additional $34,484,000 in payments under the 2015 PILT program. The funds have been made available as a result of a technical fix Daines fought for in the Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2015 passed on September 30, 2015.  “These payments are welcome news for numerous Montana communities who have suffered from severe economic challenges due to declining timber harvests and natural

Tester, Daines, and Zinke meet with Canadian ambassador regarding timber concerns

October 21, 2015

Montana delegation calls for new Softwood Lumber Agreement (U.S. Senate) – Senator Jon Tester, Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke are working together with Montana’s neighbor to the north to ensure the state’s lumber mills are treated fairly. Montana’s Congressional delegation today sat down with Canadian Ambassador Gary Doer to urge him to begin negotiating a new Softwood Lumber Agreement.  The agreement expired on October 12 and is creating uncertainty for mills in Montana and across the country.  The delegation requested that the Canadians come to the table to hammer out a deal to avoid future litigation and take

Daines Works to Expand Access to Public Lands

September 17, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today sought to improve and expand access to public lands in Montana and throughout the country for sportsmen, outfitters and guides.  During an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the reauthorization of the Federal Land Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), Daines sought answers on how to streamline and improve access by cutting down red tape on public access to public lands. Additionally, Daines emphasized his work to end fire borrowing and reform federal forest management in light of one of the worst fire seasons for Montana and other western states in recent memory. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download

Daines Reiterates Call to End Fire Borrowing

August 6, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today reiterated his call for the federal government to end the practice of fire borrowing, following the U.S. Forest Service’s recent report on the rising cost of wildfire operations: “Montana has already experienced several high-intensity fires this year. The fire season thus far has been one of the worst in the past decade and has only made more evident the urgent need for a wildfire funding solution. It is critical that Congress end fire borrowing and ensure that the Forest Service can spend more of its budget on making our National Forests more resilient

Daines, Forest Service Affirm Importance of Categorical Exclusions as Forest Restoration Tool

July 16, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today pressed the U.S. Forest Service to outline reforms needed to restore the health of the National Forest system and clarify the importance of Categorical Exclusions (CEs) as utilized by the Forest Service in forest health restoration projects. Click here to download Daines’ questioning. Click here to watch Daines’ questioning. During today’s Energy and Natural Resources hearing, Daines reaffirmed his commitment to forest management reform and asked Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell about how CEs are used to expedite forest restoration projects and enhance the environment. “I’m very determined, I’m very motivated to pass