Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill proposes to release three specific wilderness study areas (WSAs) in Montana from their current designations, totaling over 100,000 acres. These areas are the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area , the Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area , and the Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area . The legislation highlights that federal agencies, including the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, have repeatedly determined these WSAs unsuitable for wilderness designation through extensive studies and collaborative processes spanning decades. Despite these findings, the areas have remained under wilderness study area status, which the bill argues restricts effective land management. By removing these designations, the bill mandates that the land be managed according to existing, collaboratively developed land and resource management plans. This change is intended to facilitate improved public access, enhance sportsmen opportunities, and enable critical wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects. Future management will continue to adhere to applicable environmental laws, local input, and principles of multiple-use and sustained yield.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchLand use and conservationMontanaWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act
USA119th CongressS-3527| Senate
| Updated: 3/4/2026
This bill proposes to release three specific wilderness study areas (WSAs) in Montana from their current designations, totaling over 100,000 acres. These areas are the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area , the Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area , and the Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area . The legislation highlights that federal agencies, including the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, have repeatedly determined these WSAs unsuitable for wilderness designation through extensive studies and collaborative processes spanning decades. Despite these findings, the areas have remained under wilderness study area status, which the bill argues restricts effective land management. By removing these designations, the bill mandates that the land be managed according to existing, collaboratively developed land and resource management plans. This change is intended to facilitate improved public access, enhance sportsmen opportunities, and enable critical wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects. Future management will continue to adhere to applicable environmental laws, local input, and principles of multiple-use and sustained yield.