Tester to host open house on Forest Jobs bill in Troy

Sen. Jon Tester will host an open house to discuss the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act in Troy on Saturday, Oct. 10.

Tester introduced the legislation in July after seeking input from stakeholders across the state and hosting listening sessions in Libby, Missoula, Deer Lodge and Townsend.

Tester’s open house is scheduled to run from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Troy High School auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

After a presentation, Tester and his staff will be on hand to gather feedback and answer questions about the legislation.

The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act is based on proposals by loggers, conservationists, motorized users, hunters and anglers with the intent of creating jobs and protecting communities from wildfire by requiring at least 100,000 acres of timber harvest over 10 years in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and Kootenai National Forest. The bill is also designed to create new opportunities for recreation and safeguard prime hunting and fishing lands.