Jon Tester

I just need your commitment that you will work with the State of Montana, which is the lead agency, to get these issues resolved so that we can get these projects commenced in a timely fashion.

Anecdotal and collected data show that up-front collaboration is breaking the gridlock in our forests and help to get work accomplished on the ground.

NAMI commends Congress for including Senator Tester's bill, modeled on the Montana program...

Unfortunately, what I do not see in the budget is the accountability to manage the money.

Last year my colleague, Senator Max Baucus, initiated an Inspector General (IG) investigation as to the handling of flows of water into this reservoir.

Communication, I think, is key and I think it helps your effectiveness, as well as communities understanding what is going on and why it is going on.

Thank you very much. Once again, thank you, Lisa. I appreciate your time. I appreciate your answering the questions.

Secretary Vilsack has a new vision for the USFS. In Montana just a few days ago, the Secretary talked about how a bill that I happen to have, the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, provides the tools the USFS needs to achieve that goal.

The quicker we get it cleaned up, I think the better it is for the whole country.

But when that final record of decision comes out, it has got to be based on solid science.

And I would just say that the CARD Clinic up in Libby is doing a great job and if EPA utilizes them to the best of their ability, they can be a great asset for you in that community because they are on the ground.

I appreciate that work. And quite honestly, I appreciate your openness about getting the information to us so that we know as appropriators that the money is being spent wisely and efficiently.

We need to have the best or the newest techniques.

I want to thank you for your leadership in the position you hold in the EPA.

Montana also has some other big challenges. I think we have 11 Superfund sites on the national priorities list.

I want to thank you for your work with Kathleen Sebelius and with Senator Baucus and myself in declaring the public health emergency for Libby.

The needs in Indian Country are great. The budget has to address those needs, whether it is housing or health care or schools or jails or whatever it may be.

If we don't have people within the Administration that are willing to fight for the needs in Indian Country, it puts us at a serious disadvantage in addressing the problems that are occurring in Indian Country.

I want to talk about the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) a little bit, one of my concerns, actually.

I agree the unnecessary holds on many people are getting on the verge of ridiculous from my perspective.

I think we get a big bang for the buck for it.

If there is not going to be a reduction of Border Patrol agents on the Northern and Southern Borders, where are we going to pull them out of?

I think Kansas is a great State. It is just that building a facility of this nature in the middle of Tornado Alley does not compute in my head as a production agriculture guy.

When can we anticipate that report? Because that report from your perspective and from mine is very critical as to knowing which way the agency is going to go.

With the floodgates opened to corporate spending, it will not take a Copper King to buy a $17,000 election.