{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-bill-to-improve-access-to-montanas-outdoors-heads-to-presidents-desk", "Daines Bill to Improve Access to Montanas Outdoors Heads to Presidents Desk", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "MT", "Steve Daines", "D000618", "www.daines.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.17.16\n\t\t\t Daines' Bill to Improve Access to Montana's Outdoors Heads to President's Desk \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tU.S. SENATEU.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the U.S. Senate's unanimous passage of his legislation to improve maintenance of Montana's National Forest trails.\r\nTheNational Forest System Trails Stewardship Actwould ensure existing Forest Service resources are better used to maintain National Forest trails. It would also significantly increase the role of volunteers and local partners in maintaining the usability and sustainability of the National Forest trail system.\r\nToo many of our National Forest trails are left unmaintained, making it difficult for Montanans to enjoy our state's treasured lands,Daines stated.This bill will make incremental progress in protecting and maintain our nation's trail system so Montanans can continue to enjoy and appreciate our public lands for generations to come.\r\nOnly one-quarter of the 158,000 miles of National Forest trails are actively maintained by the Forest Service, preventing Montanans from using many designated trails for hiking, hunting, mountain biking, motorized vehicle use, horseback riding and other outdoor activities. TheNational Forest System Trails Stewardship Actrequires the development of a national strategy to maximize the use of volunteers and local partners in trail maintenance, while also addressing liability concerns that restrict outside groups and individuals working on National Forest trails.\r\nThis legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives with Congressman Ryan Zinke's support on September 26, 2016. It now heads to President Obama's desk for his signature.\r\nThe bill is supported by dozens of sportsmen, recreation, conservation, and governance groups in Montana and across the country. Below is a partial list:\r\nGovernmental Organizations\r\nWestern Governors' Association\r\nMontana Association of Counties\r\nRecreation Organizations\r\nAmerican Council of Snowmobile Associations\r\nAmerican Motorcyclist Association\r\nAmerican Whitewater\r\nAgricultural Organizations\r\nRural and Agricultural Council of America\r\nUnited States Cattlemen's Association\r\nOutfitters and Guides\r\nAmerica Outdoors Association\r\nMontana Outfitters and Guides Association\r\nProfessional Wilderness Outfitters Association\r\nBack Country Horsemen of Montana\r\nHunting and Fishing Organizations\r\nMontana Wildlife Federation\r\nNational Wild Turkey Federation\r\nNational Wildlife Federation\r\nRocky Mountain Elk Foundation\r\nTheodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership\r\nTrout Unlimited\r\nConservation Organizations\r\nMontana Wilderness Alliance\r\nNatural Resources Defense Council\r\nThe Wilderness Society\r\nWyoming Outdoor Council\r\nTrails Organizations\r\nAmerican Hiking Society\r\nContinental Divide Trail Coalition\r\nCorvallis-to-the-Sea Trails Partnership\r\nNational Coast Trail Association\r\nOther Organizations\r\nAssoc. of Outdoor Recreation and Education\r\n###\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n  \n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.daines.senate.gov/news/press-releases/daines-bill-to-improve-access-to-montanas-outdoors-heads-to-presidents-desk"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3012508861720562, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}