New law benefits small timber projects
The F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber mill, located between Columbia Falls and Whitefish, processes timber from logging projects. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
For landowners, loggers, sawmills and those who manage the state’s natural resources, Montana House Bill 79 is an all-around win. Passed in April, this new bill creates a small timber sale exemption primarily for property owners to clear landings for a homesite, reduce wildfire risk by thinning, or clean up damage after wind events.
The bill was sponsored by newly elected Rep. Curtis Cochran (R), from the Montana House of Representatives for District 90.
He mentioned, “I talked with the Department of Natural Resources, who came up with the exact wording, and they asked me to carry it, in partnership with the Montana DNRC Forestry Division. They all knew I was an old logger, so they figured I was a good one to do it.”
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