Daines bill would promote better forest management through tribal, federal cooperation

Legislation recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) would improve management of forestland through better cooperation between tribes and federal agencies.

The Tribal Forest Participation and Protection Act, S. 3014, would establish a new tool for Indian tribes and federal agencies to undertake restoration projects that help promote active management and improve forest health.

“We need commonsense forest management reform that cuts through the bureaucratic red tape, improves the health of our forests, creates good paying jobs and reduces the risk of catastrophic forest fires,” Daines said.  

Under the bill, a 10-year pilot program would authorize the secretaries of interior and agriculture to consult with state and local governments at the request of tribes to treat federal forestland as Indian forestland to expedite restoration projects.

The bill would maintain federal ownership, public access, revenue sharing with local governments, prohibitions on log exports and recognition of rights of way.

“We applaud Sen. Daines for introducing the Tribal Forestry Participation and Protection Act of 2016,” Julia Altemus, the executive director of the Montana Wood Products Association, said. “This bill will not only protect tribal forest assets through the use of Stewardship End Result contracting but will provide prompt consideration of tribal requests by the secretaries of agriculture and interior. Tools in the act will help protect tribal timberland assets, will provide economic stability to tribal members, and will increase the ability of federal agencies meet their resource management goals.”

Harry Barnes, the chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council, said that the bill would help foster cooperative forestry management and planning on tribal forestlands.

“The Tribe appreciates Sen. Daines’ efforts to bring about such cooperation which will significantly increase protections for tribal forest lands,” Barnes said.