Model forest project in Colville

Who says Congress is so gridlocked that nothing is accomplished?

Consider what happened last December when the U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation streamlining regulations for projects reducing wildfire risk, restoring healthy forests, and removing diseased and dead trees.

The Senate passed the “Root and Stem Project Authorization Act.” It is co-sponsored by Steve Daines (R-MT) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA) who often disagree on key issues. Feinstein is a former San Francisco mayor and Daines was a Montana businessman.

Earlier this month, congressmen Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Scott Peters (D...