For many years, the timber industry has faced job loss and shortage of supply. Our communities have also been threatened by wildfire and our forests by beetle kill. We need to take action, and the time is now.
Sen. Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act gives Montanans an effective way to move past the forest management stalemate. The bill makes sure that stakeholders build timber projects together. Just as the history of this bill shows us, Montanans can accomplish great things when we work together. Now we have a bill that will help Montanans work together to do what is best for our forest now and in the future.
I am happy to see Sen. Baucus co-sponsor this bill, and I would like to see Rep. Rehberg get on board too. A few weeks ago, Rehberg held meetings throughout Montana.
The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act came up at a few of these meetings. Rehberg said he would revisit the bill. I strongly encourage him to do so, and when he does, I would like him to think of Montanans of all kinds that support the bill.
This is a good bill, and it deserves support from all our delegation members.