Tester statement on Nature Conservancy-Plum Creek land deal

(BIG SANDY, Mont.) – Senator Jon Tester today issued the following statement after the Plum Creek Timber Co. announced it had reached an agreement to sell 117,000 acres of forest in Montana to The Nature Conservancy:

“Plum Creek and the Nature Conservancy have demonstrated their real Montana values by coming together and making sure Montanans for generations to come will have access to one of our state’s most treasured places. I’m pleased to see these two groups working collaboratively. Because of this deal, Montana’s hunters, anglers, outdoorsmen and women will have thousands of acres to enjoy for years to come.”

Tester is the sponsor of the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act that is the product of a wide-range of Montanans, including loggers, conservationists, motorized recreationists, mountain bikers, and sportsmen and women working together. He also a co-sponsor of the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act.

The Nature Conservancy and Plum Creek have agreed upon a $134 million sales price, closing in two phases.