This letter is in support of Sen. Jon Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Bill. I am in agreement with what our senator is proposing to do to protect our forests, our water and our way of life in Montana.
Unfortunately, I have been one that has been directly affected by the ineffectiveness of how our forests are being managed today. My wife and I ran a business that was influenced by the local mill and surrounding lumber suppliers. We had three very good workers that we had to let go, and shut the doors to our small plant. My wife found work out of town having to travel
daily. I now work for another mill and have watched as the uncertainty of its survival is by the day - layoffs, cutbacks and good people moving on.
I also enjoy the outdoors and over the last several years have watched lush green trees go to dead or dying timber where proper management would have prevented or at least slowed what has happened. Management that would have let new young healthy trees replace old growth. I ask you to consider what is happening in our forests and our communities and support a new
forest management that will work for everyone.
Shane Becker
Deer Lodge