This week two of my bipartisan bills to increase commonsense forest management passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. I’m glad to see these two bills come closer to becoming law.
My first bill reverses the disastrous Cottonwood decision to prevent frivolous litigation from blocking forest management projects.
This bill ends a procedural loophole being abused by fringe groups in the courts to block important forest restoration work that is critical for what I like to call the 4 W’s: reducing wildfire, protecting wildlife, improving watersheds, and supporting workers.
My other bill that passed the committee, the “Root & Stem Act,” will increase the pace of forest management by empowering collaborative groups and leveraging private resources to complete projects more efficiently.
Dave Sheets, owner of DS Jr. Trucking in Greycliff, Montana, agrees that commonsense forest management reform will promote healthy forests and support Montana communities. Hear what Dave has to say:
As I always say, we must manage our forests before they manage us.
My “Sun River Hydropower Authorization Act” also passed the committee. This bill would authorize hydropower in the Bureau of Reclamation’s Sun River Project, including at the Gibson Dam.
The advancement of these bills is a big win for Montana and the West, and I will keep working until they become law.
It’s time we put what’s best for loggers over lawyers!
Sincerely,
Senator Steve Daines
