This bill would remove the wilderness study area designation from three specific areas in Montana and direct that those lands be managed under the current Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management plans. The areas named are the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area (about 81,000 acres), the Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area (about 11,380 acres), and the Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area (about 11,580 acres). After removal, the bill requires the Forest Service or BLM to manage each area according to the most recently adopted land management plans and to follow applicable environmental and administrative laws.
If you use or visit these lands, management direction could change from wilderness study status to the rules and activities described in the applicable Forest Service or BLM plans. The bill says that managers could, under those plans, support more backcountry sportsmen access, improve public access, and carry out wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects. The bill also says agencies must continue to follow environmental laws and consider local input and multiple-use principles.
No publicly available information.
The bill cites Forest Service and BLM studies and plan revisions that found these three areas unsuitable for wilderness designation. Supporters say releasing the areas from wilderness study status will allow land managers to apply the most recent, locally developed management plans and enable improved sportsmen opportunities, better public access, and wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation work.
No publicly available information.