Support Build for Daines Forest Management Bill

Press Release

The Montana Outfitters and Guide Association (MOGA) is joining Representative Steve Daines' work to improve the health of Montana's National Forests and protect Montana's outdoors heritage.

Today, in a sign of growing momentum for Daines' legislative efforts, MOGA announced their support of the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, forest management reform legislation spearheaded by Daines in the House of Representatives.

"As a fifth-generation Montanan and lifelong sportsman, I know how important the health of our forests is to Montanans' outdoors heritage and way of life," Daines stated. "I'm pleased that the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association has joined my efforts to work toward the active and responsible management of our National Forest, so that we can keep our forests and communities healthy for generations to come. The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act will help create thousands of good-paying Montana jobs, renews the federal government's commitment to our rural communities, and protects Montana's outdoors heritage."

H.R. 1526, the Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, was passed by the House in September and now awaits action in the Senate. MOGA today announced its support of Daines' bill, noting that H.R. 1526 "renews the federal government's commitment to actively managing federal forests for the benefit of all."

"As Montana's Outfitters and Guides Association, we make our livings by showcasing our forests and the wildlife they support to visitors from around the world," stated Mac Minard, Executive Director of MOGA. "We see firsthand hand how vulnerable wildlife habitat can be. Our forests are infested with beetle kill and are dry and overstocked making them susceptible to devastating wildfires. We are happy to join Congressman Daines in working toward that goal."

MOGA joins other conservation groups, including Boone and Crockett Club and the Mule Deer Foundation, in supporting H.R. 1526.

The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act, which Daines joined Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings in introducing last April, works to help revitalize Montana's timber industry and create thousands of good, long-term jobs, while addressing beetle kill, protecting the environment for future generations and reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires in Montana. It was approved by the House Natural Resources Committee in July and passed by the full House in September.

The Restoring Healthy Forests for Healthy Communities Act will cut the red tape that has held up responsible forest management and timber production and addresses the expiration of the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program by renewing the federal government's commitment to manage forest resources. It also includes comprehensive reforms to discourage and limit the flood of frivolous appeals and litigation that has long held up the responsible stewardship of our National Forests.

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