Tester invites Rehberg to ‘compare notes’ on Forest Jobs and Recreation Act

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –  U.S. Senator Jon Tester today invited Montana Congressman Denny Rehberg to “compare notes” on the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.

Both Tester and Rehberg have held public listening sessions on the legislation, which Tester introduced in July.  Tester wrote the bill with input from loggers, conservationists, hunters, anglers and motorized sports enthusiasts who worked together on plans to better manage Montana’s forests.

“I appreciate you holding listening sessions across Montana over the past few days,” Tester said in a written invitation to Rehberg.  “Now that we each have feedback on the bill, I think it would serve Montanans well for us to discuss the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.”

The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act will create jobs by mandating at least 100,000 acres of timber harvest in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Kootenai National Forests.  It also creates permanent recreation areas, safeguards some of Montana’s best places to hunt and fish, and cuts the risk of wildfire in areas affected by beetle-killed trees.

Tester last year held numerous public meetings and listening sessions to hear feedback from Montanans on the legislation.

The U.S. Senate held a hearing on the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act in December.  Tester plans to make several improvements to the bill based on the input he’s received.

Tester’s invitation to Rehberg appears below.

January 15, 2010

Representative Dennis Rehberg
United States Congress
2448 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.  20515

Dear Denny:

I’d like to invite you to my Senate office in the next week or so to compare notes on the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.

I wanted to extend this invitation in person, which is why I tried calling you yesterday.  I hope you and I can schedule a meeting soon because as you’ve mentioned, doing nothing about our forests is not the answer.  And Montana jobs are at stake.

I appreciate you taking an interest in the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, and I appreciate you holding listening sessions across Montana over the past few days.  As you know, I hosted a number of public listening sessions and meetings for input and feedback on the bill this past year.  Like your events, they were well attended, and I heard many different opinions on the legislation.

Now that we each have feedback on the bill, I think it would serve Montanans well for us to discuss the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
(s)
Jon