President signs bill naming Alex Diekmann Peak

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a bill sponsored by Montana’s federal delegation to name a 9,765-foot peak in honor of renowned Treasure State conservationist Alex Diekmann.

The bill crossed party lines as it was sponsored by Republican Sen. Steve Daines, GOP Rep. Greg Gianforte and Democratic Sen. Jon Tester.

Diekmann worked as a senior project manager for the Trust for Public Land in Bozeman for 16 years to protect the Madison and Greater Yellowstone Area, which includes the Taylor Fork in the Gallatin Canyon, Three Dollar Bridge, Chestnut Mountain and Frog Rock, and the restoration of O’Dell Creek in the Madison Valley.

He also worked on more than 55 projects and helped to preserve more than 100,000 acres.

Some of his accomplishments include conserving 23,000 acres of forested lands surrounding Whitefish. In addition, he sought to protect of The Offline Ranch, The Sun Ranch, The Granger Ranches, The Boltz Ranch, The Gecho Ranch and The Crumley Ranch.

Diekmann had cancer and died Feb. 1, 2016, at his home in Bozeman. He was 52.

Survivors include wife, Lisa, and sons, Logan and Liam.

Alex Diekmann Peak” is in one of the areas he worked to secure a conservation easement. The peak straddles the boundary between the Sun Ranch and the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and is 2.2 miles west-northwest of Finger Mountain.

Dick Dolan, Northern Rockies director of the Trust for Public Land, described Diekmann as a “great friend, an exceptional colleague, and an admired conservationist.”

“It is only fitting that a sentinel peak in an area that he did so much to protect now bears his name,” Dolan said via email.

The lawmakers said in a news release that “Alex Diekmann Peak” was a fitting memorial.

“Alex Diekmann Peak will now forever remind Montanans and visitors of the lasting impact Alex had on local communities and protecting Montana’s public lands,” Daines said.

Tester also said Diekmann was a champion for Montana’s public land.

“Getting this bill signed into law ensures that his spirit will live on …” he said.

Gianforte said the honor was a tribute to a man who united people to protect public land.

“Alex embodied the spirit of working together that defines our state,” he said.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/2018/01/31/president-signs-bill-naming-alex-diekmann-peak/1085080001/