Gianforte, Westerman Discuss Forest Management Reform Ahead of House Vote

Bozeman, Mont. – Today, Congressmen Greg Gianforte of Montana and Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, strong advocates for forest management reform, met with Montanans who have been impacted by severe wildfires and a lack of meaningful forest management.

The meetings took place days before the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017. The legislation, introduced by Westerman and cosponsored by Gianforte, reforms how forests are managed, rewards collaboration, addresses frivolous litigation, and ends “fire borrowing.”

This morning, Gianforte and Westerman visited Sun Mountain Lumber in Deer Lodge with the company’s plant manager and other stakeholders. Throughout the tour, the congressmen discussed collaborative efforts, timber supply and sources, as well as forest health challenges.

Later in the morning, they toured the East Deer Lodge Landscape Restoration Project where they talked about forest health management as well as the impact of administrative and legal challenges.

This afternoon, Gianforte and Westerman participated in a forestry reform roundtable discussion with Montanans affected by severe wildfires and poor forest management. After hearing the challenges they faced, the congressmen discussed the Resilient Federal Forest Act of 2017.

Congressmen Gianforte and Westerman, local leaders, and stakeholders released the following statements after the roundtable discussion at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF):

“We had a challenging year with severe drought conditions and an intense wildfire season. Wildfires jeopardized the livelihoods of hard-working Montanans, destroyed wildlife habitats, and produced smoke that threatened our health. Reforming how we manage our forests will bring healthier forests, improve wildlife habitats, create good-paying Montana jobs, and reduce the intensity of wildfires. I appreciate that Bruce, who introduced the Resilient Federal Forests Act, visited Montana today to talk with local leaders and stakeholders about our bill. Montanans are eager for a long-term solution to reduce the intensity of wildfires,” Congressman Greg Gianforte (MT-At Large) said. “I look forward to voting on the Resilient Federal Forests Act this week to begin providing Montanans with relief, and I hope the Senate will quickly follow our lead.”

“Montana knows all too well the devastating impacts of catastrophic wildfires. Each person who participated in today’s roundtable shared personal stories which showed the devastating effect of these fires on lives, communities, and the environment,” Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) said. “As Congressman Gianforte and I return to Washington, we will bring these stories back to Congress. The voices of Montana must be heard as we vote on the Resilient Federal Forests Act in the House on Wednesday and hopefully bring it across the finish line in the Senate. I thank Greg for organizing this discussion and I thank each individual who participated.”

“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation stands in support of the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017. This comprehensive legislation would expedite forest management activities on public lands, discourage litigation that has needlessly stopped necessary forest management projects and put an end to the practice of borrowing from agency budgets to pay for wildfire suppression. We recognize Congressman Westerman for taking the lead on this important issue and Congressman Gianforte for signing on as a cosponsor and for bringing sportsmen and industry folks together to talk about the bill. Active forest management, including well-planned logging, prescribed burning, weed treatments and grazing improves forest health, creates landscape diversity, and improves forage for elk and other wildlife,” said David Allen, RMEF President & CEO.

“Ravalli County and the Montana Coalition of Forest Counties thank Congressmen Westerman and Gianforte for their leadership and support congressional efforts to provide our professional land managers the opportunity get back to actively managing our public lands,” Commissioner Greg Chilcott of Rivalli County said. “The process has been brought to a halt by delays caused by endless analysis, litigation and funding shortfalls created by fire suppression costs. The Resilient Federal Forests Acts of 2017 provides the boots on the ground necessary to enhance forest health, improve wildlife habitat, increase forest revenues, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and provide for the health and safety of the citizens living in our communities.”

Tony Colter, vice president of the board and plant manager at Sun Mountain Lumber, said, “Sun Mountain employs 175 right now in logging and the mill. If we had access to more logs, we would like to get back to two shifts which would employ another 25-30. The Westerman bill is essential to avoid losing even more jobs in our community and across rural Montana. We really appreciate the time Greg and Congressman Westerman are spending to understand the issues and urgency for getting this bill passed.”

“Federal forest reform is important to Montana's timber industry, timber dependent communities and our tourism economy,” said Julia Altemus, executive director for the Montana Wood Products Association. “We appreciate Congressman Gianforte and Congressman Westerman taking the time out of their busy schedules to tour a Montana mill and a collaboratively developed timber sale - unfortunately now in the 9th Circuit - and the very timely discussion regarding how we solve complex forestry issues in a bipartisan manner.”

“The Resilient Forests Act is so important for Montana forest jobs and our rural way of life. Lawsuits are killing small-town Montana. This bill’s our lifeline,” said Keith Olson, executive director of the Montana Logging Association. “Greg and Bruce Westerman are champions for common sense forest reform. We need them to push this bill across the finish line.”

“A confluence of factors is driving record-setting wildfire seasons, including hotter and drier conditions, longer duration fire seasons, lack of consistent active management of our national forests, litigation and inadequate funding levels for the U.S. Forest Service’s forest health and restoration accounts. The Boone and Crockett Club believes we need to take steps immediately to address these critical issues and appreciate the efforts of Congressman Gianforte and Congressman Westerman to bring Congress together in the coming weeks to adopt the sensible and well-vetted provisions in H.R. 2936 that will enhance the health of our national forests,” Tony Schoonen, chief of staff for the Boone and Crockett Club, said.

“Fire affects values differently, and all values must be respected if we are to find a durable solution. We must consider how to keep our communities and firefighters safe, have logs on trucks, and restore ecological function to forested landscapes. There is a growing interest in shaded fuel breaks and prescribed fire to help reduce the cost of fighting fire, help communities and fire fighters stage to protect high value assets like homes, and break up fuel continuity in the event of future fire. I appreciate the work that Greg and Rep. Westerman are doing to bring solutions to the table for forest communities,” concluded Gary Burnett, executive director of the Blackfoot Challenge.