Jon Tester

We support the amended Highlands Wilderness and Special Management Area and applaud Senator Tester and the committee staff for listening and responding in a way that fully protects this majestic range of snowcapped mountains south of Butte.

This bill is a made-in-Montana solution for our economic and environmental woes.

The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act embodies this philosophy.

Please support and vote for the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act. It is indeed a jobs bill, an economic development opportunity and a responsible compromise that positively supports the west, Montana, our forests and our communities.

The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act represents a turning point in the long and tense debate over the management of federal land in Montana.

Thank you for introducing S. 233, the North Fork Watershed Protection Act of 2011.

We cannot overemphasize how important all western Montanans feel this legislation is to protecting our clean water and Flathead Lake.

I thank you for introducing S233, and are highly encouraged that this will implement an oil and gas lease and mining withdrawal for Flathead National Forest.

S. 233 represents a crucial component of this legacy.

I appreciate Senator Murkowski's openness in allowing me to be a part of this committee when I don't sit on it.

You know one of the objections that when this bill was here 2 years ago, one of the objections was why you doing this?

When these fires do occur they not only destroy the timber that we rely on for our businesses but also the habitat that is connected to it.

It is crucial to all Americans that we find ways to give the forest service the necessary tools they need to better manage our forests.

We have been working with others in our industry and also the conservation community for the past six years in a collaborative effort to develop solutions that would resolve our differences and promote better forest management on our…

I thank Senator Tester for his undying support and his effort, his willingness to give it all for the betterment of Americans.

The answer is very simple, poor forest management for a variety of reasons.

I hope we can get this bill through this committee.

I would submit that this bill, enacted properly, could actually save money.

I think that if you'd agree to support the bill I think we'll agree to drop Jefferson.

I urge the committee to permanently extend this important administrative tool.

Protecting the crown of the continent just doesn't make environmental sense, it makes economic sense.

It's an honor to work with Senator Baucus to assure that the North Fork of the Flathead is protected for future generations.

You know, there are just some places that we shouldn't develop.

We should protect some of it. Not only for today, but for future generations.

I would like to thank my friend, Senator Max Baucus, for being here earlier and his support of this bill.