Sen. Steve Daines
The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee on July 21 approved three bills sponsored by U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) that now advance to the full Senate for action.
The ENR Committee voted 16-4 to approve S. 2561, one of the senator’s top forest management priorities that would end unnecessary litigation from holding up forestry projects.
“My bipartisan bill would put an end to 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,” Sen. Daines said.
If enacted, S. 2561 would amend the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 to provide that a land resource management plan or land use plan approved, amended or revised under those acts will not be considered to be a continuing federal agency action or constitute a discretionary federal involvement or control for a distinct federal purpose, according to the text of the bill.
Sen. Daines introduced the bill in July 2021 to help increase active forest management by aligning consultation requirements in Montana with the rest of the country, according to his office.
“We must manage our forests before they manage us,” said Sen. Daines following committee passage of the bill. “My forest management bill passing out of committee is a big win for Montana and the West, and I will keep working until it becomes law.”
The ENR Committee also approved the bipartisan Root and Stem Project Authorization Act of 2021, S. 3046, which Sen. Daines sponsored in October 2021 with original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
If enacted, S. 3046 would codify the authority of the U.S. Agriculture Secretary and the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to conduct certain landscape-scale forest restoration projects, according to the amended text of the bill.
“Collaboration is key — when we work together to design, develop and implement forest management projects, we create healthier environments and healthier rural economies,” Sen. Daines said. “Glad to see this important bill move forward.”
Finally, the ENR Committee also passed the bipartisan Sun River Hydropower Authorization Act, S. 3450, which would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to construct, operate and maintain facilities in Montana’s Sun River project for the purpose of hydroelectric power generation, the text of the bill says. Sen. Daines sponsored the bill on Jan. 10 with original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT).
“In Montana we know the importance of an all-of-the-above energy portfolio, and that includes hydropower,” said Sen. Daines. “This bill will tap into Montana’s hydropower potential and bring jobs and revenue to our communities.”
Sen. Daines’ bills are endorsed by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber, Boone and Crockett Club, the Idaho Forest Group, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Pyramid Mountain Lumber, the Property and Environment Research Center, the Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, and the Mule Deer Foundation, among others.