Letter to Chief Tidwell and Regional Forester Weldon

Letter

Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today contacted United States Forest Service officials asking them to put an end to the bureaucratic red tape that is holding up job creation and economic development in Lincoln County. The Montanore project in the Kootenai National Forest was originally permitted in 1993, and has been in the re-permitting process since 2003. The agency has delayed the project again, and Rehberg is asking for answers. So far, the Forest Service has given no explanation.

"This is a classic case of government hindering job creation and hurting the economy," said Rehberg. "There's a great opportunity to create some really good jobs in the Libby area where we really need them. All the folks at Montanore need is for the government to give them some answers and make a final decision. That's what I told the Forest Service, and that's what I'm going to tell them until they do the right thing."

Rehberg's full letter:

Dear Chief Tidwell and Regional Forester Weldon:

I write in regards to mounting project delays associated with your agency's processing of the Montanore project in the Kootenai National Forest. As you know, this project holds the potential to provide Lincoln County with new employment opportunities, which are desperately needed in a region facing double-digit unemployment rates.

This project was previously permitted by federal and state agencies in 1993 and has been in the re-permitting process since 2003. Montanore's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was originally scheduled to be completed no later than December 2010. It has since been delayed numerous times and, just recently, the Forest Service again extended its deadline to July 2011 at the earliest. I also understand that the Forest Service is not providing adequate answers to the public as to why the permitting is stalled.

I recognize the importance of protecting our public lands from environmental degradation. In doing so, however, lawmakers and federal regulators must take a balanced approach that weighs the importance of jobs and economic prosperity. As such, I request documentation of the reasons behind this most recent delay in processing Montanore's EIS. Please make this documentation available before June 1, 2011.

Thank you for your consideration of this request, and please don't hesitate to contact my office if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg

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