Senator Jon Tester today issued the following statement celebrating the Tenderfoot Acquisition, opening up more public access for hunting and fishing:
"This celebration is another milestone and welcome news to the thousands of Montanans who hunt and fish. Montana's economy and our very way of life depend on preserving our treasured outdoors. Ensuring public access to the Lewis and Clark Forest guarantees that it will be enjoyed by Montanans for generations to come."
The 8,200-acre Tenderfoot Acquisition, which will become part of the Lewis and Clark National Forest, is located in the Smith River watershed near White Sulphur Springs. A celebration honoring the acquisition was held today in White Sulphur Springs.
One in two Montanans fish and one in three Montanans hunt.
Tester, Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, increased Land and Water Conservation funding in last year's budget to ensure access for sportsmen on public lands through conservation easements. LWCF funding comes solely from offshore oil and gas receipts.
Source: http://www.tester.senate.gov/Newsroom/pr_080812_tenderfoot_celebration.cfm
