Congressman Denny Rehberg

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, joined House colleagues from both parties in supporting passage of a resolution honoring the service of America’s air traffic controllers. The resolution is notable in Montana for its specific mention of a Montana air traffic incident.

“Montanans can feel safe in the air because of the quality, professionalism, and dedication of our outstanding air traffic controllers,” said Congressman Rehberg, a member of the House General Aviation Caucus. “Their services have helped open Montana to trade, commerce and tourism, all of which are essential to the growth of our economy.”

The resolution contains specific mention of a March 29, 2009 incident in Butte, Montana, in which air traffic controller Troy Decker at the Salt Lake Center facility guided a Piper Aztec aircraft with engine trouble to a safe landing, providing detailed weather reports for several possible landing options.

“Nearly 1.5 million people commercially flew in and out of Montana in 2009,” said Rehberg. “These passengers, in addition to the countless general aviators who use Montana’s airspace for transportation and recreation, are fundamental to Montana’s modern economy. It’s our job to ensure these folks are provided with the safest, most reliable and professional air traffic control network in the world.”

“We are deeply honored by this resolution and thank Congressman Rehberg and each of the co-sponsors for their support of air traffic controllers, aviation safety and the National Airspace System” said Todd Knowles, Montana State Legislative Representative, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA). “Air traffic controllers are proud of the work that we do in ensuring the safety of every aircraft, and our mission is to provide a high level of safety, skill, dedication and professionalism in our jobs. We will continue to do all we can to make today’s system safe and efficient while working to bring new technologies and procedures on board safely and effectively.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, has contacted the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator, John Pistole, urging a decision on the application of three Montana airports to participate in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). This program allows small airports to contract with private security screeners instead of TSA officials in order to save money and improve service. Airports in Butte, Kalispell and West Yellowstone have been waiting for Homeland Security approval for too long. The Missoula airport has also applied to join SPP, though their application is more recent.

“Sometimes it takes a little nudge to get the federal government moving on something they should be doing on their own,” said Rehberg, a member of the House General Aviation Caucus. “In this case, these airports have been waiting for far too long to know whether or not they’ve been approved. A favorable decision to allow these airports to employ private security screeners will save money and create private sector jobs. Frankly, it’s time for Homeland Security to make a decision.”

In 2004, the TSA established a program to allow small airports to employ private security screeners instead of TSA officials if the Department of Homeland Security deemed it more cost effective to do so. This program was based on a pilot program started in 2001.

Since then, 17 airports and one heliport have been approved to join the program including seven EAS airports in Montana.

Four other Montana airports – Missoula, Butte, Kalispell, West Yellowstone – have submitted requests to join the Screening Partnership Program, but none of these airports has received a final decision. Butte has been waiting since Spring 2009 and West Yellowstone and Kalispell have been waiting since Fall 2009.

“The Flathead Municipal Airport Authority, following a considerable amount of due diligence, submitted an application to participate in the SPP program in October 2009,” said Glacier Park International Airport Director Cindi Martin. “The Authority firmly believes that this program will meet our customer service and security staffing needs - now and in the future. But because of lengthy and unexplained delays on TSA’s part, we are unable to move forward. We thank Denny for his attention to this matter, and we hope that TSA will finally address this issue.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today posted a list of verbal and written comments he heard from Montanans during the 22 public meetings he held regarding Sen. Jon Tester’s Wilderness bill. The comments are posted in the “Transparency Center” portion of Rehberg’s congressional website. Last week, Rehberg promised to take this action in a letter to Senator Tester and asked the Senator to join him in doing so in order to maximize transparency in the legislative process.

“I heard from hundreds of Montanans, each with their own ideas and opinions,” said Rehberg, “While ideas will vary in merit, each deserves to at least be heard and considered in a public forum. That’s what I’m trying to do – put them all in the bucket and see which ones end up floating.”

Rehberg has laid out a number of these comments as examples of what he’d like to see changed in the underlying legislation. One proposal, addressing an overriding concern heard in 22 listening sessions, is the notion of a wilderness ‘phase-in’ that would time the creation of new wilderness to the active management of other lands. This solution would alleviate the concern that as soon as the bill becomes law, the wilderness designations are immediate, while there is no assurance that stewardship components would not be infinitely delayed by litigation.

Rehberg, who relayed multiple suggestions in real-time to the public and the press during the course of his listening tour, has gathered a wide array of additional ideas for changes to the legislation including boundary line concerns from farmers and ranchers, preservation of recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and maintaining the ability to accurately inventory natural resources like molybdenum.

“There’s no silver bullet here,” warned Rehberg. “There are a lot of very good ideas that should each be considered on their own merit. While I appreciate the buy-in from the partnerships that helped draft the bill, this legislation affects all Montanans who deserve the right to be heard. In addition to some other fixes, an incremental phase-in would help ensure logging isn’t bogged down by lawsuits after new wilderness areas are designated.”

Comments can be found online at http://rehberg.house.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today sent a response to Senator Jon Tester (MT) regarding his request for a meeting to discuss his wilderness bill. Senator Tester sent a letter to Rehberg late last week asking the Congressman to meet him in his Senate office in Washington, DC to discuss the issue. Rehberg recently completed 22 public meetings in Montana on the subject of Senator Tester’s wilderness bill.

“While it’s clear that some fortunate interest groups have been very involved in writing this bill from the beginning, my goal is to include all Montanans who are impacted by this legislation,” said Rehberg, a member of the Congressional Sportsman’s Caucus. “Each of my twenty-two meetings has been open to the public. I certainly don’t see a reason why a meeting with Senator Tester should be any different.” Rehberg asked Senator Tester to meet with him in Montana, rather than in his Washington, D.C. office, and that the meeting be open to the public and the press.

In his letter, Rehberg also asked Senator Tester to join him in posting the individual comments Senator Tester heard from Montanans at his “open house” meetings on his website. “As Montana’s representatives to the U.S. Congress, we have the honorable distinction of setting for ourselves a higher standard of openness and transparency,” wrote Rehberg in his letter.

Finally, Rehberg noted that all of Senator Tester’s “open house” meetings took place after his bill had been written and introduced. Since Senator Tester’s most recent meeting was more than two months ago, Rehberg asked to see the most recent working draft of his wilderness bill that contained any changes resulting from the input he received at those meetings.

“I think Montanans would like to see how their ideas are being implemented in the bill,” said Rehberg. “Seeing what progress has already been made would certainly make our meeting more productive since we could avoid concerns that have already been addressed.”

Complete Letter Below:

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced the nomination of twenty-five Montana students for appointments to America’s service academies for 2010. Although some students may already be in various stages of the acceptance process, a congressional nomination is necessary for students to be admitted to one of the five service academies.

“These accomplished young men and women represent a bright hope for our future, and are truly leaders in so many ways,” said Rehberg, a member of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. “Montanans can take pride in knowing that our best and brightest are willing to serve their nation, and I’m honored to nominate them to the Military Academies.”

Rehberg appoints and works with a volunteer Academy Review Board consisting of military and civilian personnel to ensure that Montana students are afforded the maximum opportunity to receive one of the highly sought after nominations. Each candidate for nomination is interviewed by the Board and scored according to academic performance, leadership qualities, and community involvement.

Students may receive multiple nominations based on their academy preferences. There are five U.S. Service Academies: Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT; Merchant Marines Academy, Kings Point, NY; Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; and U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY. Entrance to the Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination.

Following is a list of those candidates who have received nominations:

Seth Adams, MSU-Bozeman (Bozeman): West Point
Christopher Allen, Billings Senior: Air Force
Bentley Alsup, Missoula Sentinel: Air Force, Naval, West Point
Dustin Beck, New Mexico Military Institute (Whitefish): Merchant Marine
Daniel Becker, Billings Senior, Naval
McKay Blackford, Missoula Hellgate: Naval
Thomas Bonogofsky, Belfry: Merchant Marine
Andrew Bovard, Missoula Loyola: Merchant Marine, West Point
Dillon Burke, Missoula Hellgate: Naval, West Point
Jesse Burroughs, Lavina: Naval
Samantha Clement, Carroll College (Great Falls): Naval
Ashley Crowe, MSU-Billings (Billings): Air Force
Jason Dark, New Mexico Military Institute (Missoula Big Sky): Air Force
Seth Donahue, Kalispell Flathead: Air Force
Brice Grotbo, Shelby: West Point
Stefan Hickethier, Great Falls Central: West Point
Kevin Jagoda, Helena High: Air Force
John Joern, Whitefish: Air Force, Naval
Scott Kelleher, Shelby: Air Force
Emily Kreyenhagen, Frenchtown: Naval
Kevin O’Brien, Billings Central: Naval
Taylor Purchio, Billings Central: Air Force
Kasey Smith, Billings Senior: Air Force, Merchant Marine
Haley Sobrero, Columbus: Naval
Jacob Washer, Whitefish: Merchant Marine

BUTTE, MT – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, is continuing his wilderness listening tour in order to hear from the stakeholders about proposed wilderness legislation. Below are some the comments and ideas he heard at the public listening session in Butte and various meetings in Southeastern Montana.

“The input I’m hearing from Montanans is proving to be invaluable,” said Rehberg. “It’s my job to listen to all Montanans and do my best to find workable solutions we can all live with.  The people who have spoken on either side of this issue have been courteous and knowledgeable.  Many have strong feelings, which is understandable, but I truly appreciate their willingness to participate in the process.  I definitely do not feel that any of those commenting should be labeled as extremists or at the fringes, as some have said, simply because they disagree with the bill or some of its aspects.”

• A member of the Jackpine Savage Snowmobile Club echoed support for including “trigger” language in any wilderness bill.  Such language would designate wilderness recommendations only after a certain amount of acreage is harvested, guaranteeing jobs in addition to new wilderness designations.
• One attendee described the current situation as “perpetuity wilderness.”  He stated, if stewardship mandates are set to expire after 10 to 15 years of the bill’s passage, the bill’s wilderness proposals should also expire at that same time.
• One resident asked why wilderness must be a conditional means for legislating timber harvests.  He proposed restoring local control by electing range officers to manage Montana’s federal lands.  He also proposed that Senator Tester’s bill be placed on the ballot for a referendum.
• A representative of the Montana Backcountry Horsemen expressed his strong support for Senator Tester’s bill, saying that it would afford many benefits to the ailing timber industry while improving fish and wildlife habitat.  He also expressed appreciation for Rehberg’s co-sponsorship of the Right-to-Ride Livestock on Federal Lands Act of 2005, which aimed to preserve the use and access of pack and saddle stock animals on public lands, including wilderness.
• An outdoors shop owner suggested that small boundary adjustments could save many miles of trail, but these requests were yet to be considered.

Includes five public listening sessions: Ennis, Dillon, Butte, Philipsburg, Deer Lodge

BILLINGS, MT – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, will be in Western Montana from January 4-8 to hold public listening sessions on Senator Jon Tester’s wilderness proposal being considered in Congress.

“Before Congress decides how this land should be managed, it’s important to give a voice to the folks who work, hunt, fish, hike, camp and enjoy this land,” said Rehberg, a member of the Congressional Western Caucus and the House Appropriations Committee.  “That means public meetings with an open mic where anyone can come and ask questions.”

Rehberg has scheduled five listening sessions, which will be held in counties impacted by the proposed legislation.  All meetings are open to the public for comments and questions.

They are:

Madison County – Ennis
Monday, January 4, 2010 at 10 AM
Madison Valley Rural Fire Station 1
537 US HWY 287

Beaverhead County – Dillon
Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 12:30 PM
University of Montana Western, Auditorium Main Hall
710 South Atlantic

Butte-Silver Bow County – Butte
Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 9:30 AM
Montana Tech – SUB Copper Lounge
1300 West Park Street

Granite County – Philipsburg
Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 2:30 PM
Taylor-Knapp Building, Sapphire Gallery, Banquet Room
212 E. Broadway

Powell County – Deer Lodge
Friday, January 8, 2010 at 10 AM
William K. Kohrs Library, Meeting Room
501 Missouri Avenue

In 2009, Rehberg held 36 listening sessions on a broad range of issues from energy policy to health care reform.  At each, he invited the public through press releases, his website and various forms of social media, and then answered their questions and listened to comments from Montanans.

“As Montanans, the land we live on is our most valuable resource,” said Rehberg.  “The question isn’t whether it’s worth protecting, but how we can best do that.  The one-size fits all approach of federal management doesn’t always work, and I want to listen to the folks on the ground before deciding whether I can support any proposal to expand wilderness.”

BILLINGS, MT. - Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, is inviting area residents to share their thoughts during a series of public listening sessions to be held in Madison and Broadwater Counties on Tuesday, November 24, and in Powell and Deer Lodge Counties on Wednesday, November 25.

“I visit each of Montana’s 56 counties every congressional term so I can hear directly from Montanans.  I encourage everyone to join me to discuss the important issues facing Montana and the nation,” said Rehberg, a Montana rancher and member of the House Appropriations Committee.  “These public listening sessions are geared toward exchanging ideas and gathering input that I take to Washington D.C.  I’m looking forward to my visits.”  Rehberg has held eighteen public listening sessions around the state since the beginning of summer.

Congressman Denny Rehberg Public Listening Sessions

Tuesday, November 24

Ennis – 10:00 a.m.
Madison Valley Rural Fire Station #1
537 U.S. Hwy. 287

Townsend – 2:30 p.m.
Broadwater County High School, Community Room
201 N. Spruce

Wednesday, November 25

Deer Lodge – 10:30 a.m.
William K. Kohrs Memorial Library, Meeting Room
501 Missouri Avenue

 Anaconda – 1:30 p.m.
Community Service Center, Conference Room #1
118 East 7th Street

WASHINTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced funding in the final FY10 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. The bill must now be passed by the Senate before being sent to the President. Rehberg is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

“Protecting Montana’s families is one of my most important responsibilities in Congress,” said Rehberg. “Whether disasters are natural or man-made, the last several years have underscored the necessity for preparedness at every level of government. Funding projects in Montana that advance our ability to respond quickly and effectively will save lives.”

The projects receiving funding through this year’s legislation are listed below:

Butte-Silver Bow Emergency Operations Center - $800,000

A formal analysis of the existing Emergency Operations Center by the Department of Homeland Security indicated deficiencies in all critical areas: the physical facility lacks adequate space, sustainability, survivability, and a lack of interoperable communications equipment.

Montana’s rural nature doesn’t inoculate it from large-scale natural disasters. Located in an earthquake prone region of the country, Butte-Silver Bow is in the Intermountain Seismic Belt. In addition, Butte-Silver Bow has one of the largest Superfund sites in the United States. The combination of these two factors puts Butte-Silver Bow at an elevated risk for a catastrophic disaster, which would necessitate an effective government response.

“I cannot thank Congressman Rehberg enough for all his efforts to make our appropriation request for our Emergency Operation Center (EOC) a reality,” said Paul Babb, Chief Executive in Butte-Silver Bow. “It is our goal to be as well prepared as possible to deal with emergencies and disasters in our County. The appropriation for the construction of a new EOC will support effective EOC operation and assist in achieving compliance with federal guidelines. Without this funding, our local government will not be able to move forward this project. I believe it is the strong relationship that we have developed with Congressman Rehberg and his staff that has put us one step closer to making this project a reality.”

Essential Air Service Airport Security

This legislation provided funding to several airports that have opted out of federal screening and chosen to participate in the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). Currently, seven airports in Montana have requested permission from TSA to join the SPP and hire private security firms to conduct passenger screenings. The seven airports are Frank Wiley Field (MLS); Sidney Richland Regional (SDY); Dawson Community Airport (GDV); L.M. Clayton Airport (OLF); Wokal Field (GGW); Havre City County Airport (HVR); and Lewistown Municipal Airport (LWT). The private screeners are required to follow the same protocols and procedures as the federal screeners.

Also Receiving Funding:

Whitefish Emergency Operations Center - $900,000

WASHINTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced funding in the final Agriculture Appropriations Bill which will now go to President Obama for his signature. Rehberg is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

“Agriculture remains Montana’s largest and most important industry,” said Rehberg. “As a rancher, I understand the challenges facing Montana’s producers and I’m proud to fight for their interests in Congress.”

The projects are listed below:

Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) $2,800,000 Butte - Silver Bow County

The National Committee for Appropriate Technology is a national nonprofit organization located in Butte. It has more than 30 years of experience in helping people learn more about technologies and practices that save energy and resources in the home, farm workplace and community.

Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) provides information, educational resources and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers across the U.S., with a special focus on sustainable ag technologies, farm energy, and information on marketing and adding value to farm products. In Montana last year, ranchers and farmers from 72 communities submitted 3,091 individual requests for technical assistance and downloaded 44,896 publications off the ATTRA website. Funding for this project will be spent on salaries for staff who provide in-person educational presentations at state, regional and national meetings as well as other related costs.

“The National Committee for Appropriate Technology was delighted to learn that the House Agriculture Appropriations Committee has provided funding for our Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Project (ATTRA),” said Kathleen Hadley, the organization’s Executive Director. “The staff and board of NCAT are grateful to Congressman Rehberg, who worked hard to help obtain funding for our national program.”

Animal Biosciences Facility (MSU) $3,654,000, Bozeman - Gallatin County

The construction of an Animal Biosciences Research Facility will benefit Montana’s livestock industry. This state-of-the-art facility will help improve economic and environmental sustainability in the production of safe, high quality and consistent beef products. Rehberg secured $2.192 million for this project last year.

“I appreciate the support of Congressman Rehberg and his effort toward ag research and education, in particular the range-livestock industry,” said Jeff Jacobsen, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station. “The federal building monies bring us that much closer to construction of the USDA ARS building which will be ‘catching up’ to the MSU academic building currently being built through private donations. This partnership will create untold developments for the Montana seedstock industry and the livestock industry in general.”

Barley for Rural Development $547,000 Bozeman - Gallatin County

Funding for Barley for Rural Development supports research directed at improving malt, feed, biofuel, and food barley varieties for growers and value added end-users in rural communities in Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota. As U.S. barley production declines, development research creates new technologies for increasing yields and improving the quality of the barley crop thus, enhancing competitiveness and improving profitability.

“Wheat and barley production systems in Montana, Idaho and North Dakota are changing more rapidly than ever before, said professor Tom Blake from Montana State University. “Thanks to the support of Representatives Rehberg (MT) and Simpson (ID), the ‘Barley for Rural Development’ project enables researchers in these three key barley producing states to develop and release new barley varieties for food, malt, livestock feed and for straw-based ethanol production. These new varieties improve barley growers’ profitability and help maintain barley’s position in American agriculture.”

Brucellosis Vaccine $305,000, Bozeman - Gallatin County

The presence of Brucellosis in the wildlife of Yellowstone National Park poses a continuous threat to livestock production in the states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Recent outbreaks of brucellosis and the loss of Montana’s brucellosis-free status underscore the need for an effective brucellosis vaccine. This appropriation will have a tremendously positive impact on Montana’s cattle and tourism industries by funding MSU Bozeman’s efforts to find a brucellosis vaccine that protects both wildlife and cattle.

“Vaccine development takes time and we have made good advancements in creating new vaccines with stronger efficacy than currently available ones,” said Jacobsen. “Better tools for disease management in wildlife, and livestock and humans will be the result.”

Sustainable Beef Supply $682,000, Bozeman - Gallatin County

The Montana Beef Network (MBN) helps Montana beef producers improve best-practices for raising and marketing their products. MBN also ages and source verifies calves from birth until harvest to ensure quality and increase profitability. This integrated approach to quality management helps Montana’s producers grow a sustainable beef supply to increase income for the individual and the State.

“Connecting ranch and livestock management practices to the entire meat supply chain with the customer, the consumer, in mind creates a modern and dynamic network,” said Jeff Jacobsen, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station. “Stewardship practices, quality assurance, biosecurity, animal ID, food security and other food system issues are researched, tested and outreach is provided tailored to each ranch.”

Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee $650,000, Helena - Lewis and Clark County (MT/ID/WY)

The Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee conducts brucellosis prevention, surveillance, control and herd management in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Area. These activities mitigate the danger that brucellosis poses to Montana’s beef industry by detecting the disease in wildlife and preventing its spread to cattle. Working with state and federal jurisdictions, the ultimate objective of the GYIBC is to use sound science and factual information to eliminate transmission risks and eradicate the disease for healthy wildlife and livestock. The program officially began in 1995 with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture and the Governors of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.

“Brucellosis funding in the greater Yellowstone area is vital as we work on the control and eventual eradication of this disease,” said Christian Mackay, with the Montana Department of Livestock. “We welcome these resources. They help fund our ongoing efforts, and demonstrate that Congress wants to be part of the solution.”

Other Montana Projects receiving funding include:

Tri-State (MT, ID, WY) Predator Control, Aphis $926,000
Invasive Plant Management at MSU $270,000
Upper Clark Fork Watershed, Watershed Restoration Coalition $200,000