Tester Turns Up Heat to Pass Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act

Senator Reintroduces Landmark Bill to Protect Montana's Economy

(U.S. Senate) – After securing a guarantee for a Senate vote late last year, U.S. Senator Jon Tester is turning up the heat to ensure his measure to permanently protect the front porch of Yellowstone National Park is signed into law.

Tester is once again working with local businesses to reintroduce his bipartisan Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, which will permanently protect 30,000 acres of the Custer Gallatin National Forest by withdrawing federal mineral rights and eliminating the ability for proposed mines to expand onto unclaimed public land.

“Protecting the Yellowstone Gateway will give certainty to hundreds of businesses and families who rely on this special area, and preserves Montana’s outdoor way of life,” Tester said. “It’s time to hold Congress accountable to its responsibility to protect the Yellowstone Gateway for years to come.”

Last month Tester fought to include the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act in an end of year public lands legislative package, but the bill was blocked by Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) from receiving a vote. Tester then secured a promise from Senate leadership that the landmark bill will receive a Senate vote early in the 116th Congress.

Tester has been working with local residents and business owners to build collaborative legislation that prevents mines from expanding onto public lands in the region since 2015. He introduced the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act in April 2017, and it received a Senate hearing in July 2017.

Tester’s bipartisan bill is supported by Montana’s entire Congressional delegation.