Tester posts full draft Interior memo to his website

(BILLINGS, Mont.) – In the name of transparency, Senator Jon Tester has posted to his website all pages of the U.S. Interior Department’s draft “Treasured Landscapes” document, part of which was leaked earlier this year.

The entire 21-page draft memo, released Friday, is available online HERE.

Tester spokesman Aaron Murphy released the following statement:

“Jon had an opportunity to read the whole draft memo after seeing it for the first time Friday and he’s pleased that it mentions the importance of public support and participation for future land planning.  This is in line with what Secretary Salazar told Jon directly—that any plans from the Interior Department need broad public support before moving forward.”

Following his testimony at a committee hearing in June, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told Tester that “there will be no recommendation for designation of national monuments in Montana unless there is significant public involvement, discussion, and debate over any such proposal.”

Salazar’s letter to Tester is available online at tester.senate.gov/letter.