Montana Forest Jobs Bill Gets Senate Time

Montana forest jobs were discussed in a senate energy and natural resources subcommittee on Wednesday, specifically the "Forest Jobs and Recreation Act," put forth by Senator Jon Tester. The committee wanted to hear from locals, and Sherm Anderson, owner of Sun Mountain Lumber, in Deer Lodge, is one of many who helped craft the bill. He says the bill has seen many new endorsers over the past few months, and, with economic uncertainty, the "jobs" portion of the bill that means logging and mill work is especially attractive.

Greg Munther, with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, in Missoula, likes that the bill sets aside special management areas for snowmobiling, and leaves many motorized trails intact, while at the same time protecting swaths of back-country terrain.

The Missoula Chamber of Commerce and the United Steelworkers have all recently added their support for the bill. Citizens for Balanced Use spokesman, Kerry White says they are not happy with the closures of the trails.