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The State of Tester’s Wilderness Bill

By Beacon Staff

Several Republican state lawmakers and county commissioners gathered at the University of Montana Friday to oppose U.S. Sen Jon Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act. <a href="http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/article_09856d1a-9f5b-11de-b8d3-001cc4c03286.html" title="From the Missoulian:”>From the Missoulian:

“I’m basically opposed to every aspect of this bill,” Rep. Debby Barrett, R-Dillon said. “It has absolutely no tolerance for multiple use.”

Beaverhead County Commissioner Mike McGinley blamed the bill’s flaws on the “partnership strategy” of environmental, conservation and industry groups that crafted its ideas. That group was too small to represent real community perspective and didn’t let in enough outside participation, he said.

On Monday, Tester’s office sent out a press release, saying the legislation is picking “up steam.”

More than 1,000 Montanans from nearly every county in the state have signed up as ‘citizen cosponsors’ of the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act, Senator Jon Tester announced today.

Tester introduced the bill in July, asking Montanans to “put their shoulders to the wheel” to push the bill forward with their support.