HELENA – U.S. Sen. Jon Tester is telling motorized off-road enthusiasts that his proposed forestry and wilderness bill affects very little riding area.
The senator is holding information sessions on the bill Saturday in Dillon and Monday in Bozeman. The bill proposes to both expand wilderness — and increase logging
Tester’s staff put up new maps Friday in Butte motorcycle, ATV and snowmobile shops that aim to ease concern from that group.
Tester says he met with the off-road vehicle business owners in Butte last month and heard worries that his proposal hurts motorized users.
The senator says just 50 miles of roads and trails — out of more than 6,000 miles in the affected areas — will be closed to summer motorized use. He says relatively small portions are closed for winter use as well.