Tag: Public Lands

Daines Fights for LWCF Funding

U.S. SENATE — On the heels of House Interior Appropriations plus-up of LWCF, U.S. Senator Steve Daines wrote a letter to U.S. Senate Interior Appropriations Committee Leadership urging the full funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and to build on momentum for stronger funding in the Senate bill. The letter also highlighted the importance of the program to Montana. “Earlier this Congress, we took a historic step to permanently authorize the LWCF,” Daines said. “As we work towards full, dedicated funding for the program, I encourage you to allocate at least $600 million of LWCF in FY 2020.”

Daines Pushes for B-47 Ridge Naming in Honor of Fallen Servicemen

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today urged lawmakers for swift passage of the B-47 Ridge Designation Act in a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. Daines introduced the bipartisan bill that names the ridge after four servicemen who lost their lives in February.   Click HERE to download video “That is why I introduced the bipartisan B-47 Ridge Designation Act to tell the story of these brave men and to make sure the sacrifice is not forgotten,” Daines said. “So their families, friends and visitors to this ridge will see what happened that day. After over half a

Daines Introduces Bill to Increase Veterans’ Access to Outdoors

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced a bipartisan bill to expand opportunities for veterans recovering from trauma to access public lands for outdoor therapy and rehabilitation treatments. “In Big Sky Country, we know how important our outdoor heritage is to our Montana way of life,” Daines said. “This bill will help ensure our veterans are able to take full advantage of Montana’s and our nation’s outdoors as they recover from the trauma and injuries they experienced in combat. The therapeutic benefits the great outdoors can have on our veterans will help aide in their recovery and showcase the beauty of the

Daines Celebrates Bernhardt’s Confirmation as Victory for Montana and the West

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to confirm David Bernhardt as the 53rd U.S. Secretary of the Department of the Interior. “David Bernhardt understands the importance of protecting access to our public lands, our commitment to tribal nations, and responsible energy development,” Daines said. “As a fellow westerner, I have complete confidence in David’s ability to lead the Department of the Interior and was glad to cast my vote for him this afternoon along with a bipartisan majority on the floor of the United States Senate. I look forward to continuing to work together to advance Montana priorities.”

Daines Fights for Mandatory Funding of LWCF

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize full, mandatory funding of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). “The historic bipartisan lands package which permanently maintained our commitment to LWCF was a big win for Montana, but now we must come together again to ensure the program is fully funded,” Daines said. “Expanding access to public lands and preserving the rich outdoor heritage of Montana is one of my highest priorities in the U.S. Senate. I will not stop fighting until we get full funding of LWCF.” Daines is a member of the U.S. Senate

Daines: Bernhardt Good for Montana to Lead DOI

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today voted to advance Department of the Interior (DOI) Acting Secretary David Bernhardt to being one step closer to leading the Department of the Interior. “Bernhardt has a proven record of excellence on issues important to Montana such as his work to implement the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act and his firm commitment to the Land and Water Conservation Program,” Daines said. “I have full confidence that together we will continue to work on important Montana priorities including increasing access to public lands and fixing the maintenance backlog at our national parks.” In a hearing last week, Daines pressed Bernhardt on his

Daines Delivers Historic Conservation Win for Montana

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined President Trump at a bill signing ceremony at the White House for a bill signing ceremony of the bipartisan public lands package, which includes the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act. “What a great day for Montana, a great day for America,” Daines said. “I just came back from the West Wing of the White House, the Oval Office, where I witnessed President Trump sign the lands package. In fact, here’s one of the pens from the signing ceremony that I keep

Daines: Bipartisan Public Lands Package One Step Closer to Law

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the House passage of the bipartisan public lands package, which includes permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act. “This bipartisan public lands package is a historic win for conservation in Montana and across our nation, and after today, it’s one step closer to becoming law,” Daines said. “I’m very glad to see the House pass this important package to help protect our public lands for generations to come, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law.”Download Audio of Statement

Daines Statement on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Reaffirmation of the Removal of Greater Yellowstone Grizzly Bears from Endangered Species Act

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s announcement that its 2017 final rule to remove grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) from the Endangered Species Act’s List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife does not require modification. “It’s important to see sound science confirming the grizzly bear population has recovered,” said Daines. “I look forward to working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state as we continue to manage the population.”  Background: On June 22, 2017, Daines released a statement on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement

Daines Statement on Recovery and Delisting of Yellowstone Grizzly Bear

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s announcement that the Yellowstone population of the grizzly bear has been recovered to the point where federal protections can be removed and overall management can be returned to the states and tribes. “It will be great to see the grizzly bear recovered and off the endangered species list,” Daines stated. “I was 12 years old growing up in Bozeman when steps began to restore the grizzly bear population. As an avid backpacker, hiker and fisherman, I know firsthand the importance of conservation to