Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week joined House colleagues in supporting critical legislation which would establish a federal grant program to provide funding for the repair and rehabilitation of publicly-owned dams.
“Dam failure is a serious threat and it’s critical the federal government takes responsibility for any maintenance that’s needed to safeguard America’s publicly-owned dams,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The grants created by this bill will ensure funds are going to the structures that need it most.”

The Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act is sponsored by Representative John Salazar (D-CO) and would create a system of grants within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grants would be awarded based on a risk-based priority system, developed by the Director of FEMA and the National Dam Safety Review Board, to identify deficient dams. The bill defines a deficient dam as failing to meet minimum dam safety standards of the State and posing an unacceptable risk to the public.

“The result of a dam collapse could be catastrophic for residents living in the area,” said Rehberg. “By addressing dam deficiencies before they get out of hand we’re helping to prevent a serious disaster.”

Montana currently has 2,880 state-regulated dams.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week contacted U.S. Forest Service Regional Forester Tom Tidwell regarding a decision to no longer allow waivers for the extension of hunting camps in the Lewis and Clark National Forest.
“For many Montanans, spending weeks in the mountains on a hunting trip is part of a long family tradition,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “However, the new Forest Service decision would limit the ability of sportsmen to spend hunting season camping on public land. I’m urging the Forest Service to take a long, hard look at how this will affect public access opportunities for Montana’s hunters.”

Recently, Forest Service officials announced a decision to end their policy of allowing waivers for extended hunting camps on Lewis and Clark National Forest beyond the usual 16 day camping limitation after this season. The decision will prevent many hunters who spend the entire hunting season on National Forest land from doing so in the future.

“As a hunter and lifelong proponent of our state’s hunting heritage, I ask you to reconsider this blanket policy that will limit hunting opportunities in the Lewis and Clark National Forest,” said Rehberg in a letter. “A site specific approach to managing long term camping during hunting season is a much more appropriate response.”

Letter:

October 26, 2007

Tom Tidwell

Regional Forester

USDA Forest Service - Northern Region One
P.O. Box 7669
Missoula, MT 59802

Dear Mr. Tidwell,

In August of this year, President George W. Bush signed an Executive Order “to facilitate the expansion and enhancement of hunting opportunities and the management of game species and their habitat.” In signing this order, President Bush asked federal agencies to recognize the importance of hunting to our nation’s heritage. It has recently come to my attention that a decision issued by the District Rangers in the Lewis and Clark National Forest will detrimentally impact this hunting heritage for several Montana families.

Since 1982, Mr. Nick Dole of Billings, along with several friends and family members, has set up camp in the Jefferson Division of the Lewis and Clark National Forest. In order to camp for longer than the 16 day camping limitation, Mr. Dole has applied for and received a waiver in order to be able to camp for the entire five week hunting season. This tradition, sanctioned for a quarter of a century by the Forest Service, has become an important part of Mr. Dole’s hunting heritage. Unfortunately, a decision by the Forest Ranger in the Jefferson District will end the policy of allowing waivers for extended hunting camps after this hunting season. I have also learned that all of the other Districts within the Lewis and Clark National Forest have adopted the same policy, impacting many Montanans like Mr. Dole who have enjoyed extended hunting camps for years.

As a hunter and lifelong proponent of our state’s hunting heritage, I ask you to reconsider this blanket policy that will limit hunting opportunities in the Lewis and Clark National Forest. It is my belief that managers of our public lands should take an active role working to increase hunting opportunities for our citizens. With recent evidence indicating a drop in the number of hunters across the country, the need for this role has become increasingly apparent. Reversing this decision would be another small, but important step in promoting hunting here in Montana. Instead of a blanket policy, a site specific approach to managing long term camping during hunting season is a much more appropriate response.

Thank you for your timely consideration of this request.

Sincerely,

Denny Rehberg

Member of Congress

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today contacted House Committee on Education and Labor Chairman George Miller and Ranking Member Howard P. “Buck” McKeon requesting a hearing on legislation that would clear the way for greater small business access to affordable health care.
“Providing additional health care options for Montanans is a top priority for me,” said Rehberg in a letter. “The Small Business Health Fairness Act allows associations to purchase group plans across state lines. By creating these small business health plans, which would be strictly regulated by the Department of Labor, small businesses could pool their resources and increase their bargaining power. This power will allow them to negotiate better rates and purchase quality health care at a lower cost.”

The state of Montana has made several attempts at increasing healthcare access for Montana’s small businesses. However, these attempts, such as Insure Montana, while helpful, still do not provide coverage for all of Montana’s small businesses. In his letter, Rehberg states that “Insure Montana has a long waiting list for enrollees in addition to a recently announced potential premium increase of an astonishing 32% next year. While this increase will be difficult to absorb for those lucky enough to be enrolled in Insure Montana, it’s even more frustrating to be one of the 600 small businesses stuck on a lengthy waiting list.”

“The troubling increase in costs for the Insure Montana plan, points to the need for a hearing on H.R. 241, the Small Business Health Fairness Act,” said Rehberg. “We can either leave these hardworking individuals out in the cold without healthcare coverage, or we can open the market and let them band together to form low-cost association health plans.”

Letter:

October 25, 2007

Dear Chairman Miller and Ranking Member McKeon:

I am writing to request a House Committee on Education and Labor hearing on H.R. 241, the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2007. With health care costs continuing to rise sharply across the country, employers and workers alike are sharing the burden of increased premiums. The overwhelming majority of uninsured Americans work for a small business. Many small businesses would like the opportunity to provide health care and compete with large corporations for the most qualified employees.

The Small Business Health Fairness Act allows associations to purchase group plans across state lines. By creating these small business health plans, which would be strictly regulated by the Department of Labor, small businesses could pool their resources and increase their bargaining power. This power will allow them to negotiate better rates and purchase quality health care at a lower cost. It comes as no surprise that small business owners all across Montana have been urging me to support this important legislation.

Providing additional health care options for Montanans is a top priority for me, however, this issue has recently become clouded by a turf war between small business owners and state insurance commissioners who are unwilling to cede any regulatory ground. In response, legislators in Montana chose to create a program entitled Insure Montana, which is a taxpayer subsidized program designed to help small businesses have better access to insurance plans. This program provides $11 million in tax credits and premium subsidies for small businesses.

Despite these generous government benefits, Insure Montana has a long waiting list for enrollees in addition to a recently announced potential premium increase of an astonishing 32% next year. While this increase will be difficult to absorb for those lucky enough to be enrolled in Insure Montana, it’s even more frustrating to be one of the 600 small businesses stuck on a lengthy waiting list. We can either leave these hardworking individuals out in the cold without healthcare coverage, or we can open the market and let them band together to form low-cost association health plans.

One doesn’t have to look very long to find examples on how a market oriented approach to provide health insurance can be successful. For instance, state association health plans, such as the Montana Chamber of Commerce’s 9,000 member plan Montana Chamber Choices will only see premium increases in the low single digits compared with Insure Montana’s potential steep increase. The success of the Chamber’s plan can be attributed to competition in a transparent, open marketplace, something that is not did not occur in the Insure Montana plan.

The success of the Montana Chamber Choices plan, and the troubling increase in costs for the Insure Montana plan, points to the need for a hearing on H.R. 241, the Small Business Health Fairness Act. Health care is a priority for the forty-five million uninsured Americans struggling to keep their families healthy and it should be a priority for Congress. Injecting competition into the market and giving small business owners the same kind of health care choices enjoyed by corporations and labor unions alike.

Please contact myself or Brent Mead of my staff at 225-3211 for further details. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
Denny Rehberg

Member of Congressman

Ground-Breaking Saturday in Missoula

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, will join Peggy Grimes, Executive Director of the Montana Food Bank Network, Missoula Mayor John Engen, and Missoula County Commissioner Larry Anderson, in a ground-breaking ceremony for a vital expansion of the Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) warehouse facility in Missoula. The ceremony will take place Saturday, October 27, at 1:30 p.m., at 5625 Expressway.
“This project will enable the Montana Food Bank Network to expand their storage facility to take in and distribute more food,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “The warehouse is having difficulty storing goods, and must either expand or turn food away. It’s important to utilize every resource available to help battle hunger in Montana.”

Plans call for virtually tripling the capacity of the current 8,000 square foot MFBN warehouse in Missoula with the new 16,965 square foot expansion. Additionally, 45,900 cubic feet of total refrigerated capacity will be vital to distributing highly nutritious, but perishable foodstuffs that require refrigeration or freezing.

Site work began last month on the three-phase, $1.425 million project. Construction and fund-raising will continue well into 2008. Rehberg secured a $495,000 appropriation for the expansion project in the 2006 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) appropriations bill.

“Without Denny’s help, we would have never been able to break ground on this project,” said Grimes. “Our fund-raising efforts are continuing, and the fact that we’re underway hopefully encourages others to step up. Our whole food bank network will be able to operate more efficiently with the added space in Missoula.”

The Montana Food Bank Network secures and distributes nearly 3.5 million pounds of donated and low cost food and grocery products annually to 189 hunger relief agencies throughout Montana.

*****************************************

Montana Food Bank Network Expansion Ground-Breaking

Saturday, October 27, at 1:30 p.m. at 5625 Expressway

Scheduled to Attend:

Congressman Denny Rehberg

MFBN Executive Director Peggy Grimes

Missoula County Commissioner Larry Anderson

Missoula Mayor John Engen

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined House colleagues in contacting House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey and Ranking Member Jerry Lewis urging them to oppose anti-hunting language included in the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.
The language included in the bill would prohibit any U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funds from going to Africa for “programs that support or promote recreational, sport, or trophy hunting as a conservation tool.” USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance to countries around the world.

“Hunting has been proven to be both an effective means of conservation and an economic stimulus for communities across the African continent,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “It’s critical that as part of our international support of wildlife conservation abroad, we continue to utilize this tool. This language would allow the anti-hunting political ideology of a few member of Congress to get in the way of the effective wildlife management being done in Africa.”

“We disapprove of this language because hunting is, in fact, a proven and useful tool for wildlife conservation,” said Rehberg in a letter. “Hunting operations conserve wildlife on 540,000 square miles, which is 22 percent more land than is found in the national parks of Africa. Trophy hunting by 18,500 hunters generates $200 million annually for remote rural areas in the 23 African countries that allow hunting. This revenue funds local, national, and international conservation efforts, but also flows to the local people and economy.”

Letter:

Dear Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis:

We write in opposition to language included in the committee report for H.R. 2764, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008, and ask that it not be included in any future conference committee report or omnibus legislation.

The language we refer to prohibits the use of funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to support conservation programs in Africa that utilize hunting as a conservation tool, and begins at the end of page 61:

The Committee is concerned about reports that USAID directly and indirectly supports recreational, sport and trophy hunting in its assistance programs in Africa. The Committee directs USAID to provide no funds to programs that support or promote recreational, sport, or trophy hunting as a conservation tool.

We disapprove of this language because hunting is, in fact, a proven and useful tool for wildlife conservation. Hunting operations conserve wildlife on 540,000 square miles, which is 22 percent more land than is found in the national parks of Africa. Trophy hunting by 18,500 hunters generates $200 million annually for remote rural areas in the 23 African countries that allow hunting. This revenue funds local, national, and international conservation efforts, but also flows to the local people and economy.

U.S. federal law recognizes the value of hunting to conservation, as evidenced by the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1996 and the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. Furthermore, a series of laws passed since 1987, beginning with the African Elephant Conservation Act, provide funding for foreign activities that benefit wildlife, including hunting.

These U.S. statutes, along with non-governmental organizations around the world and the African governments and people who benefit from such programs, all acknowledge that hunting provides an economic incentive for wildlife and habitat conservation in areas where no other means of conservation have succeeded. Therefore, we urge you to reject the above language and ensure that it remains out of future reports and legislation.

Sincerely,

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today joined House colleagues in approving legislation to help reduce the number of veteran suicides.
“The effects of war can sometimes linger for years after a soldier returns home,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “It’s critical we have the ability to properly monitor these effects over the years as well as to provide a place for these brave men and women to turn to for any problems down the road. This bill will require the Veterans Affairs Department to implement some very specific policies to help prevent veteran suicides.”

The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, introduced by Representative Leonard Boswell (D-IA), directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive program designed to reduce the number of suicides among veterans. The bill will require the creation of a toll-free hotline, an outreach and education program for veterans and families of veterans, and a peer support counseling program, among other things.

“We need to be more vigilant in regards to our veterans after deployment in the Global War on Terror,” said Joe Underkofler, Director of the VA Regional Medical Center at Fort Harrison. “Many times, there are the obvious post deployment issues, but we must also be able recognize these issues when they develop months and even years after the deployment. As opposed to a temporary measure, this bill establishes a more permanent system of care and awareness training for the VA staff.”

“It’s unacceptable that our veterans to have limited access to the help they need,” said Rehberg. “This legislation will hold the VA accountable for providing 24-hour-a-day care to those who have served abroad.”

Earlier this month, Rehberg met with General Randy Mosley, Montana National Guard, to the discuss implementation of the Guard’s new mental health evaluation plan

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week joined several members of Congress from western states in meeting with Office of Management and Budget Director Jim Nussle to discuss reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.
“This legislation is critical for Montana’s rural communities,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “In many of Montana’s western counties, the Secure Rural Schools Act provides vital funding for local schools and transportation projects. So, one of my top priorities is to get this legislation reauthorized long term before Montana counties are impacted.”

The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act expired at the end of 2006. However, earlier this year, Rehberg fought to include a one-year extension of the program in the 2007 emergency supplemental. Signed into law in 2000, the bill provides an alternative source of funding to counties that were once dependent on timber sales from federal lands. At the time the law was passed, it was estimated to provide assistance to 700 counties in 39 states. Montana currently ranks seventh among all congressional districts in payments received from the Secure Rural Schools program.

During the meeting, Rehberg explained to Director Nussle the critical role Secure Rural Schools funding plays in Montana counties as well as emphasized the strong support the program has from the local communities.

“This legislation is a proven and effective way of giving back to local communities dependent on the timber industry by making sure they receive the essential services they deserve,” said Rehberg.

by Denny Rehberg

One of the best qualities of Montana’s diverse landscape is our ability to access the outdoors. Millions of acres of public land provide a variety of unique and exciting recreational experiences. Whether it’s snowmobiling through the woods or hiking into the mountains for a hunting or fishing trip, these are some of the opportunities Montanans cherish the most and the activities that have defined our state as “The Last Best Place”.

Montana’s long tradition of protecting public access to public land has been built upon the principle that sound land management decisions are best achieved through cooperation. Montanans understand that decisions affecting our lands must be consensus driven, local efforts that balance the protection of our natural resources, recreation, and economic development.

One of the best examples of this is the Blackfoot Challenge. Over the past two years, this proposal has made great strides toward creating thousands of acres of wilderness in the Seeley Lake Ranger District of the Lolo National Forest and balancing it with a reasonable plan for sustaining timber harvest and motorized access. Most importantly, it has brought diverse groups such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pyramid Lumber, Montana Wilderness Association, Rolling Stone Ranch, and the Wilderness Society together, at the same table, to hammer out a consensus agreement.

On a larger scale, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Proposal recommends that more than 500,000 acres of public land be designated as wilderness. Every acre has been negotiated and scrutinized, in Montana, by organizations like Sun Mountain Lumber, Montana Trout Unlimited, and the National Wildlife Federation. In Montana, consensus approaches created by local groups have shown to be the most effective way of managing our natural resources.

Unfortunately, legislation in Congress is threatening the Montana way of making land management decisions. Since 1992, several of my urban colleagues in the House have attempted to pass a bill which would convert millions of acres of western public land into Wilderness areas. The bill, entitled the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act (NREPA), would affect 23 million acres of land in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The members of Congress involved in creating this bill hail from eastern states where increasing populations have limited access to quiet backwoods. They believe that turning Montana and several surrounding states into wilderness will lock up the west in a mythical “the way it was” image so they can have a getaway spot for their weekend vacations.

What they don’t understand is that this bill is a truly bad way of managing our nation’s public lands and it’s not the way we do things in Montana. In essence, it would undercut much of the “on the ground” work that is already being done. Cooperative approaches, such as the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Partnership and the Blackfoot Challenge, are, while not perfect, a much more thoughtful and inclusive way of building consensus among diverse interests.

The 7 million acres of public land that would be impacted by NREPA include many areas where some of the best local, cooperative agreements are being negotiated. It would replace these local agreements with a top down directive from Washington, DC. Before we triple the amount of wilderness that currently exists in our state, we should rely on input from the people it would affect most, Montanans. A cooperative approach will ensure we address the needs of everyone from our hard-working firefighters who require better access for forest fire management to the elderly and handicapped who can’t access the wilderness on foot. This way, in the end, we can truly accomplish public access for all.

Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives held a hearing on this legislation. On my website and in the news, I asked for your feedback and Montanans responded in overwhelming opposition to this bill. Thousands of Montanans contacted my office to let me know they think this bill, this idea, this plan, is wrong. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues and encourage them to approach land management decisions in Washington, DC the same way we do it in Montana, through local input and consensus building.

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, called for a renewed focus on American energy independence as the House passed a Rehberg-sponsored resolution promoting renewable energy.
“Expanding America’s use of renewable resources to meet our needs is an important step in achieving energy independence and energy security for our country,” said Rehberg. “We must continue to encourage the development of new domestic resources and technologies at every turn in order to end our dependence on foreign energy.”

On Monday, the House passed House Concurrent Resolution 25. The resolution, which is known as the “25 x ‘25” initiative, states:

“….that it is the goal of the United States that not later than January 1, 2025, U.S. agricultural, forestry, and working land should provide from renewable resources not less than 25% of total U.S. energy consumption and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.”

The measure has the support of nearly 400 agricultural, environmental and industry groups, including the Montana Farmers Union.

“Montana’s farmers and ranchers are eager and willing to help address our nation’s energy needs,” said Montana Farmers Union President Alan Merrill. “We thank Congressman Rehberg for his tireless work for Montana agriculture, and for supporting the 25×25 renewable energy initiative, which recognizes the role that fuel from the farm can play in our country’s energy independence.”

In May, Rehberg, and 14 other members of Congress, sent a letter urging House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) to adopt renewable energy policies in the new Farm Bill to help meet the goals of “25 x ’25.”

“Renewable energy is one of my top priorities when it comes to finding a common sense solution to our energy crisis,” said Rehberg.

Commissioner Johnson Says Local Residents “Need Not Worry”

WASHINGTON, DC - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, this week contacted Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) Commissioner Robert Johnson and was informed that BOR had incorrectly notified Nelson Reservoir Cabin Owners about potential impacts a new proposed rule would have on their cabin leases.
“It’s important BOR clears up any confusion over the use of these cabin sites on Nelson Reservoir,” said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Montanans have a vested interest in the state’s federal lands, and it’s vital that we protect those interests.”

The controversial proposed regulation states BOR will not generally renew permits for private or residential exclusive uses of reclamation land, facilities, and water bodies. This would cause problems for residents living around Nelson Reservoir who are required to renew their BOR site leases every five years.

Rehberg sent a letter to BOR Commissioner Robert Johnson earlier this month asking the agency to examine the revisions and clarify “… how this proposed rule will impact current and future Nelson Reservoir cabin owners. Specifically, before any decision is made, I ask that the families with cabin sites on Nelson Reservoir be informed immediately as to whether or not their permits will be revoked if this rule is adopted.”

Yesterday, in a phone call, Commissioner Johnson told Rehberg that BOR made a mistake when it previously contacted cabin owners on the reservoir to inform them of the changes. Johnson assured Rehberg that the cabin owners wouldn’t be affected by the regulation. In his conversation, Commissioner Johnson stated cabin owners “need not worry” and would be protected against any “one size fits all” regulation. Additionally, Rehberg was assured the necessary flexibility would be provided to ensure no harm would come to the family’s who own cabins on the reservoir.

“I’m pleased that Commissioner Johnson took our concerns to heart, and has agreed to clarify any confusion,” Rehberg said. “Montana families have not only invested their time and their money into Nelson Reservoir, but it’s also a place where generations of families share good memories.”

Additional information:

Rehberg Contacts BOR Regarding Cabin Site Permits on Nelson Reservoir, (10-1-07)