DENVER — Following today’s Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee hearing that focused on Sen. Max Baucus’ (D-MT) Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act and Sen. Jon Tester’s (D-MT) Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, the Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Trevor Kincaid:
“Senators Baucus and Tester’s ability to develop proposals for conservation in Montana that are responsible, balanced, and bipartisan provide a model for others to follow. Combining public and private priorities with conservation and industrial development are part of an important formula that will move us closer to Equal Ground.”
Baucus’ Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act protects public access for hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts—designating of 208,000 acres of Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front as a Conservation Management Area and 67,000 acres as additions to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Baucus’ legislation also ensures that Montana ranchers can continue their tradition of responsible grazing.
Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act designates 670,000 acres of wilderness in three national forests in western Montana, creates permanent recreation areas and mandates 100,000 acres of forest restoration over 15 years.
Both bills were written with collaborative input from Montana and enjoy broad bipartisan support.