Tester sees hope for land-use bills

Democratic Sen. Jon Tester expressed some optimism that several Montana land-use bills could see passage by the end of the year.

The North Fork Watershed Protection Act, Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act and Forest Jobs and Recreation Act have languished in Congress over the past few years.

The latter two increase wilderness, including additions to the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Polls have shown the Heritage Act has 70 percent approval.

But the Watershed Protection Act has bipartisan support in Congress. The one-page bill bans any new oil, gas and mineral leases in the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Flathead River watersheds.

Sponsored by Republican Rep. Steve Daines, the bill passed in the House earlier this year but was held up by three Republican senators when Democratic Sen. John Walsh brought it to the floor.

Walsh was appointed by Gov. Steve Bullock to fill Max Baucus’ senate seat after the long-term senator left to become the U.S. ambassador to China.

At the time, Walsh was challenging Daines for the Senate seat, and Republicans apparently didn’t want him passing any popular legislation before the election. Walsh later dropped out of the race when it was revealed he allegedly plagiarized his master’s thesis.

“I think there will be an opportunity in the lame duck session (to get the bills passed),” Tester said during a conference call with reporters last week.

Tester said the Forest Jobs bill is of particular importance. That bill boosts timber sales in addition to creating new wilderness in Montana.