When You Go Missing In The Backcountry, Senator Tester Wants You To Be Found

Tester fights to reduce red tape for search-and-recovery missions

When folks go missing in national parks, forests or other federal lands, Senator Jon Tester wants search-and-recovery teams to be able to deploy as quickly as possible.

Tester is backing a bipartisan bill to expedite the permitting process that gives qualified search-and-recovery teams faster access to federal public lands.

“Accidents happen, and families shouldn’t have to wait over a year to find out what happened to their loved ones,” Tester said.  “This common-sense bill will remove red tape so search parties can locate folks missing on federal lands as quickly as possible.”

Tester’s bill also allows search-and-recovery teams to waive liability insurance coverage, a U.S. Forest Service requirement that can also delay missions.