[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 11, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5229]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BURNS:
  S. 2408. A bill to adjust the boundaries of the Helena, Lolo, and 
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests in the State of Montana; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, this bill adjusts the boundaries of the 
Helena, Lolo, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests in Montana.
  For the Helena and Lolo National Forests, these adjustments are 
necessary to continue the community-based Blackfoot Community Project. 
This community-driven project is a collaborative effort supported by 
local residents, elected officials, State and Federal agencies, and 
others who care about the future of the Blackfoot River Valley.
  The project will eventually result in the future ownership and 
management of nearly 88,000 acres of land in the Blackfoot River 
watershed. The project will protect the rural lifestyle of a large, 
intact landscape that supports agriculture, timber harvesting, 
recreation, and natural resources that are important both locally and 
nationally.
  The project will provide a model for forest management in the west, 
by creating a private-public partnership to manage a portion of the 
Blackfoot watershed as a community forest for sustainable timber 
products and other natural resources benefits. The local community has 
requested Forest Service acquisition of certain parcels outside the 
existing National Forest Boundary to ensure continued public uses of 
these lands including public access for recreation, hunting, livestock 
grazing, and watershed protection. The end result of this boundary 
adjustment Forest service will be consolidated ownership and improved 
forest management.
  The boundary adjustment on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest 
reflects changes in the Forest as a result of the Watershed 
conservation project completed in 2003. About 11,000 acres of the 
Watershed Property that is currently adjacent to the proclaimed Forest 
will be more accurately classified as existing within the Forest 
boundary. The Forest Service purchased the property in partnership with 
the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The County Commissioners, local 
public, and conservation and sportsman's groups supported the project.
                                 ______