Letter: Thankful for Tester's efforts
Dear Editor:
I’d like to thank Sen. Tester for making the recent trip to Troy, for realizing that bi-partisan efforts and solutions are still possible when making important decisions, and for having the courage to sponsor the Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.
I hope this legislation moves swiftly through Congress and believe it will be a great example and reminder to us all about how government is supposed to work. The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act is a common sense, bi-partisan, honest collaboration between taxpayers who have an equal stake in the management of our local natural resources.
This piece of legislation is good for my business and good for business in Montana. I’m excited about the timber piece since my outfitting area here in Yaak badly needs harvesting in order to improve quality big-game habitat and I’m thrilled that we’ll finally be securing a bit of backcountry protection here in Yaak as well.
I’m pleased to see that the legislation includes restoration and stewardship contracts which make it possible to keep the jobs local. Keeping jobs local is of obvious importance. And it’s good to know that access to motorized recreation areas will also be protected and provide a measure of confidence for those of us who enjoy snowmobiling and other ATV activities.
I also want to thank the brave people who have been involved in hammering out the Three Rivers Challenge portion of this bill. It was not easy. There were plenty of table poundings, lots of head banging, emotional roller coaster rides, sleepless nights, headaches, and more, but you all kept coming back to the table. Time after time, for five years you returned. And nobody can take that good work away from you. Not the naysayers, not the uncompromising extremes and not the anti’s. Nobody can take that away from you.
This legislation has a long way to go and I trust Sen. Tester will get the work done on behalf of what’s good for Lincoln County and Montana.
Tim Linehan
Linehan Outfitting Company
Yaak