Townsend, MT— Representatives of Montana timber mills, conservationists and sportsmen’s groups applauded the introduction of Sen. Jon Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, calling it a bold new vision for providing jobs, while enhancing Montana’s clean water and outdoor heritage.

A broad coalition of Montanans, including Montana sawmills, business advocates, wilderness advocates, motorized riders and rod-and-gun clubs, voiced strong support for the legislation.

“Montanans share one thing in common— a passion for our national forests,” said legendary outfitter Smoke Elser, of Missoula. “This bill means a new day for Montana working families and our freedom to hunt, fish and enjoy the backcountry.”  

Senator Tester’s bill is based on local, community-driven stewardship packages developed over several years across Montana. Specifically, it brings together plans for the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Lolo National Forests and the Yaak Valley of the Kootenai National Forest.

By focusing on light-on-the-land logging, protecting Montana’s clean water, spectacular backcountry, and prime wildlife habitat, and protecting access, the bill has earned high marks from Montana conservationists, loggers, sportsmen, horsemen, mountain bikers, snowmobilers and ATV-enthusiasts.  

 “Montanans believe we can both use and take care of our forests,” said Sherm Anderson, of Sun Mountain Timber in Deer Lodge. “This bill gives us the tools we need to manage the forest, to restore healthy conditions and better protect communities from wildfire.”

The bill is supported by a host of sportsmen’s groups and rod-and-gun clubs for both enhancing and protecting habitat.

 “Our state’s hunting and fishing traditions absolutely depend on public access, clean water and healthy habitats,” said Chris Marchion, past president of the Montana Wildlife Federation. “By conserving these habitats, we will protect and preserve these traditions for our kids and grandkids.”

The bill sets aside special management areas for snowmobile riding and leaves thousands of miles of roads and motorized trails intact. The bill would also protect special places as wilderness areas, including Roderick Mountain in the Yaak, Monture Creek headwaters near Ovando, and Italian Peaks and the Pioneer Mountains in Southwestern Montana.

            The following groups helped develop each of the three components of the bill over several years of community meetings:

            • On the Lolo National Forest, Blackfoot-Clearwater Stewardship Project. Pyramid Mountain Lumber; Clearwater Resource Council; Montana Wilderness Association; The Wilderness Society; Montana Community Development Corp.

            • On the Beaverhead-National Forest, Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership: Sun Mountain Timber; R-Y Lumber; Smurfit-Stone Container; Pyramid Mountain Lumber; Roseburg Forest Products; Montana Wilderness Association; Montana Trout Unlimited; National Wildlife Federation.

            • On the Kootenai National Forest, the Three Rivers District (Yaak). Linehan Outfitters;  Kurt Rayson, Rayson Logging; Lincoln County Snow Kats; Kootenai Ridge Riders ATV Club; Yaak Valley Forest Council, Troy Snowmobile Club.

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Kate Grant

Program Administrator

Montana Council of Trout Unlimited

PO Box 7186

Missoula, MT  59807

406-543-0054

www.montanatu.org