BILLINGS, MT – Later this week, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will join U.S. Senator Jon Tester on a multi-day swing across the state of Montana. While there, Jewell and Tester will meet with local leaders and stakeholders to discuss issues important to the state, including the economic benefits of hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation and tourism on public lands, balanced energy development, and upholding trust responsibilities to American Indians. This will be Jewell's first visit to the state as Secretary of the Interior.
“I look forward to getting out to Big Sky Country and having the opportunity to learn more about the issues that matter most to the people of Montana,” said Jewell. “I know that Montanans care deeply about their lands and outdoor heritage, and this state is a leading example of how public-private partnerships can produce strong outcomes for healthy lands and a healthy economy.”
On Friday, Jewell and Tester will meet with Tribal leaders and travel to the Crow Indian Reservation, where they will tour the site where the Tribe plans to develop a hydropower project as part of the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement. That evening, Jewell and Tester will participate in a public discussion at Montana State University.
On Saturday, Jewell and Tester will tour the Rolling Stone Ranch near Ovando, Montana, where they will meet with ranchers from the Rocky Mountain Front and Blackfoot Valley who are leading collaborative efforts to conserve the Crown of the Continent ecosystem and maintain working lands. The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has played a key role in establishing conservation easements that preserve the area's rural heritage and natural resources. The President's budget requests that Congress fully fund LWCF at $900 million in fiscal year 2015 in order to support additional local conservation priorities across the country.
On Sunday, Jewell will visit Glacier National Park. A new report shows that visitors to the park generated $172.4 million in economic activity in 2012, supporting 2,754 jobs in the community. Jewell and Tester will end the trip at the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.
CROW NATION HYDROPOWER VISIT
WHO:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Jon Tester, U.S. Senator from Montana
Lawrence S. Roberts, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs
Darrin Old Coyote, Chairman, Crow Nation
Dana Wilson, Vice-Chairman, Crow Nation
WHAT:
Media availability and tour of Crow Nation's Hydroelectric Project
WHERE:
315 13th Street West
Hardin, MT
WHEN:
Friday, March 14
11:00 a.m. MT – Media check-in
11:15 a.m. MT – Tour & media availability
MEDIA:
Media interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP here by 6:00 p.m. MT on Thursday, March 13
Additional logistical information will be provided to those who RSVP
BURTON K. WHEELER CENTER LECTURE
WHO:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Jon Tester, U.S. Senator from Montana
WHAT:
Moderated discussion on conservation, public lands and natural resources
WHERE:
The Burton K. Wheeler Center
Montana State University
1102 South 6th Avenue
Bozeman, MT
WHEN:
Friday, March 14
5:15 p.m. MT – Media check-in
5:30 p.m. MT – Lecture begins
MEDIA:
Media interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP here by 6:00 p.m. MT on Thursday, March 13
CROWN OF THE CONTINENT EVENT
WHO:
Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Jon Tester, U.S. Senator from Montana
Jim Stone, Rancher and Chair of the Blackfoot Challenge
WHAT:
Meeting on collaborative conservation efforts around the Blackfoot Challenge
WHERE:
Rolling Stone Ranch
43800 Hwy 200
Ovando, MT
WHEN:
Saturday, March 15
9:15 a.m. MT – Media check-in
9:30 a.m. MT – Meeting
MEDIA:
Media interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP here by 6:00 p.m. MT on Friday, March 14
Source: Department of Interior
