Gianforte, Ravalli County commissioner pitch forest management reform

Montana Rep. Greg Gianforte addressed the need for effective forest management in a congressional hearing Sept. 27, according to a news release from his office. He was joined by Ravalli County Commissioner Greg Chilcott.

A member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Gianforte introduced Chilcott at a subcommittee hearing on “Exploring Solutions to Reduce Risks of Catastrophic Wildfire and Improve Resiliency of National Forests.”

“Our once-vibrant timber has been left in shambles, our infrastructure decimated, and our scenic beauty scarred for decades to come,” Chilcott said at the hearing. “These trends will continue unless Congress acts. Active forest management will help us achieve the healthy forests that are essential to clean air and clean water. By improving forest’s health and reducing the dead and dying timber, we can reestablish a thriving ecosystem that improves the economy and the environment.”

According to the news release, Gianforte is a co-sponsor of the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017, which addresses how federal forests are managed.