Bill Naming Peak in Diekmann’s Honor Heads to President Trump

Tester, Daines, Gianforte Sponsored Legislation to Designate Wilderness Moves Forward

(U.S. Captiol) – A bill honoring the life of a renowned Montana conservationist today passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a vote of 400-3.

Sponsored by U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines, and Congressman Greg Gianforte, the legislation would designate an unnamed 9,765-foot peak the “Alex Diekmann Peak.” The peak is in the Madison Range, 2.2 miles west-northwest of Finger Mountain on the western boundary of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.

“Alex Diekmann was a champion for Montana,” Tester said. “Alex will forever be remembered for his contribution to conservation and Diekmann Peak will be a destination for sportsmen and women to celebrate our outdoor heritage. This was truly a bipartisan effort by the entire Montana congressional delegation to get this bill on the President’s desk.”

“Alex Diekmann leaves a legacy of conservation across Montana and the Northern Rockies that will continue to benefit the United States for generations to come,” Gianforte said. “The designation of this peak in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness will honor his life. I thank Alex for his work and look forward to paying tribute to him by hiking Alex Diekmann Peak with Susan and our family.”

“Alex Diekmann’s work will have a lasting impact on conservation and outdoor recreation in Montana,” said Daines. “Now to the President’s desk for signing. I look forward to climbing Alex Diekmann Peak in Alex’s honor.”

The Alex Diekmann Peak Designation Act of 2017 has passed the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill now goes to the president for his consideration.

Text of the bill may be found HERE.

Background:

Alex Diekmann worked for 16 years with the Trust for Public Land. As a senior project manager with the organization, Diekmann led efforts to protect thousands of acres in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.

While with the Trust for Public Land, Diekmann’s work involved more than 55 projects, and he helped to conserve more than 100,000 acres. His conservation efforts led to protections for the Taylor Fork in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, river access at Glacier National Park, and wildlife corridors in the Cabinet-Yaak Ecosystem. His work also involved the Haskill Basin near Whitefish, the Whitefish Lake Conservation Project, Three Dollar Bridge, and the restoration of O’Dell Creek in the Madison Valley.

Timeline of Legislative Action:

January 12, 2017 – Daines and Tester introduce the Alex Diekmann Peak Designation Act of 2017 (S. 117) in the U.S. Senate.

March 30, 2017 – The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passes S. 117, reporting it to the Senate.

September 28, 2017 – Gianforte introduces the Alex Diekmann Peak Designation Act of 2017 (H.R. 3873), a companion bill to S. 117, in the U.S. House of Representatives.

December 20, 2017 – The Senate passes S. 117 under unanimous consent.

January 10, 2018 – The House Committee on Natural Resources passes the bill, reporting it the House.

January 16, 2018 – The House of Representatives passes S. 117 on a vote of 400-3.