Tester Announces "Forest Jobs and Recreation Act"!

On Friday, July 17 Senator Jon Tester announced his much anticipated forest bill: the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act. The Senator’s new bill will put people to work with light-on-the-land logging that restores healthy forests, and better protects communities from wildfire. Fishing, hunting, camping and hiking are important traditions for Montana families, and the Forest Jobs Heritage Act will protect our access to the Great Outdoors.   

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership is proud to be a part of Senator Tester’s vision for improving forest management in Montana.

The bill incorporates three local collaborative projects—the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership and the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Project, both in the Lolo National Forest, and the Three Rivers Challenge in the Kootenai National Forest. 

Tester has been hearing input on the legislation from dozens of Montana organizations and individuals for more than two years to build a new vision for forest management in the Kootenai, Lolo, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests. 

“This bill is a product of Montanans working together on a good compromise that will put folks back to work in the woods,” said Tester, a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee. “It will also protect our clean water and fishing and hunting habitat, while making sure our forests are an important part of Montana’s heritage for our kids and grandkids.” 

Read more about Senator Tester’s bill on our NEWS page where you will find a sampling of the great volume of interest and support the bill has generated in the media. 

Learn more about Senator Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act at www.montanaforests.org or read the bill on Senator Tester’s website.