This bill removes three named wilderness study areas in the State of Montana from their wilderness study area designations and directs that those lands be managed under the land and resource management plans that already apply to them.
Specifically, it: (1) releases about 81,000 acres making up the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area from the Montana Wilderness Study Act requirement and directs management under the most recently adopted Forest Service land and resource management plan; and (2) releases about 11,380 acres (Hoodoo Mountain) and about 11,580 acres (Wales Creek) from the Federal Land Policy and Management Act wilderness study area status and directs management under the applicable BLM land management plans.
The bill text says prior Forest Service and BLM studies and recent plan revisions found these three areas unsuitable for formal wilderness designation and that managing them under existing plans would allow continued conservation while providing for activities such as enhanced sportsmen opportunities, improved public access, and wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects. The bill also states that after release, agencies must continue to manage the areas in accordance with environmental and administrative laws, local input, multiple-use and sustained-yield principles, and adopted land management objectives.
If you use or live near these areas, the bill would stop holding them as wilderness study areas and would place them under the applicable Forest Service or BLM management plans already in place. The bill says this change is intended to let managers carry out projects for wildlife habitat, wildfire mitigation, and to improve public access and sportsmen opportunities. The lands would still be managed under existing environmental and administrative laws and according to local input and multiple-use goals.
No publicly available information. The bill text does not include cost estimates, appropriations, or an analysis of fiscal effects.
The bill presents findings that earlier studies and recent planning processes (by the Forest Service and the BLM) determined the three named areas are unsuitable for wilderness designation. Proponents say releasing the areas from wilderness study status will let land managers better conserve and manage the areas under current plans while providing enhanced sportsmen opportunities, improved access, and space for wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects, all while following applicable environmental and administrative laws.
No publicly available information. The bill text and provided metadata do not include statements from opponents or opposing arguments.