Forest Jobs and Recreation Act: For Conservation

Reasons Why Conservationists Support FJRA

As Montana's Congressman, I introduced nineteen Montana wilderness bills. Although I was not engaged in the writing of the Tester legislation (and so what?), I know that the final product has been and, I'm betting, will continue to be the most public and locally oriented legislation of its type ever presented by any Montana Senator or Congressman... and that includes me. -- Former Montana Congressman Pat Williams

"Pat Williams Speaks Out Again on Tester's Bill, Secrecy claim not true, but the bare-knuckled debate is just Montana's brand of politics" in NewWest, 24 Feb 2010

The Forest Jobs and Recreation Act:

Permanently protects nearly a million acres of spectacular backcountry throughout western Montana, including nearly 700,000 acres as wilderness. This includes some 25 spectacular places conservationists have fought hard for decades to preserve.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

• Anaconda-Pintlar Proposed Wilderness Additions—56,680 acres
• Dolus Lakes Proposed Wilderness—9,367 acres
• East Pioneers Proposed Wilderness—76,775 acres
• Electric Peak Proposed Wilderness—4,653 acres
• Lee Metcalf Proposed Wilderness Additions—18,950 acres
• Highlands Proposed Wilderness—20,392 acres
• Italian Peaks Proposed Wilderness—29,508 acres
• Lima Peaks Proposed Wilderness—35,120 acres
• Lost Cabin Lake Proposed Wilderness—5,223 acres
• Mount Jefferson Proposed Wilderness—4,465 acres
• Quigg Peak Proposed Wilderness—8,388 acres
• Sapphires Proposed Wilderness—53,327 acres
• Snowcrest Proposed Wilderness—89,798 acres
• Stony Mountain Proposed Wilderness—14,261 acres
• West Big Hole Proposed Wilderness—44,084 acres
• West Pioneers Proposed Wilderness—25,742 acres
• Blacktail Mountains Proposed Wilderness—10,667 acres
• Centennial Mountains Proposed Wilderness—23,256 acres
• Farlin Creek Proposed Wilderness—661 acres
• Ruby Mountains Proposed Wilderness—15,504 acres
• Humbug Spires Proposed Wilderness—8,892 acres

Lolo National Forest

• North Fork Blackfoot-Monture Creek Wilderness Addition—71,378 acres
• Grizzly Basin of the Swan Range Wilderness Addition—7,599 acres
• West Fork Clearwater Wilderness Addition—4,501 acres

Kootenai National Forest

• Roderick Wilderness—29,869 acres

Meanwhile, the bill steers logging to areas that are already roaded and requires habitat restoration through reduction in road densities, while also reducing fire risk near communities.

Allocates funds to improve fisheries, water quality, and wildlife habitat.

Legislation is consistent with all environmental laws, policies, and regulations including NEPA, endangered species act, habitat protections for grizzly bears, and the national roadless policies and directives.