Tester forest bill an opportunity for the Forest Service

After a lifetime in Montana and a career in the Forest Service, I welcome Sen. Tester's Forest Jobs and Recreation Act as a way of making our national forests and communities healthier. In 2008 I retired from the U.S. Forest Service after 33 years, 25 years on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and 19 as the District Ranger of the Madison Ranger District headquartered in Ennis. I worked with a talented crew of public-minded foresters, biologists and engineers to make wise use of that national forest. But the job carried frustrations as well. Imagine working hard for several years on a project you believe will provide raw material for local mills, help improve forest health, and improve conditions for fish and wildlife. Then, after all that work, the project is lost in litigation. My colleagues and I grappled with this challenge daily. It really doesn't matter whether the project would rehabilitate aspen stands, reduce fuel near homes and communities, or salvage bug killed trees. If the project removed trees it was destined for appeal and litigation. So I have closely followed the debate of the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act. After attending Senator Testor's meeting in Dillon, viewing the Senate Committee for Natural Resources hearing and attended Congressman Rehberg's listening session in Ennis I have drawn the following conclusions...read more