Sponsors
The bill trades long-term wilderness protections on roughly 104,000 acres for more flexible multiple-use management that enables wildfire mitigation, local economic activity, and expanded public access — at the cost of reduced conservation safeguards, potential habitat degradation, local environmental impacts, and some taxpayer exposure to development-related costs.
Nearby rural communities and local governments can use about 104,000 acres removed from Wilderness Study Area status for active wildfire mitigation projects, reducing wildfire risk to people, homes, and infrastructure.
Rural communities, small businesses, utilities, and local governments can pursue timber, grazing, recreation, or energy projects on formerly restricted lands, supporting local jobs and economic activity.
Local governments and energy/utilities companies get clearer, predictable permitting and management because the lands will be managed under existing Forest Service and BLM plans that authorize multiple-use activities.
Rural communities, recreationists, and businesses that rely on wilderness tourism will lose long-term wilderness protections and primitive character on roughly 104,000 acres, reducing conservation and scenic values.
Wildlife and ecological values could be degraded if multiple-use activities (timber, roads, energy) are allowed, harming habitat and biodiversity in the affected areas.
Nearby residents and rural communities could face increased noise, traffic, and localized environmental impacts if released lands are developed for extraction, roads, or other intensive uses.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Removes wilderness study area status for three Montana WSAs (Middle Fork Judith, Hoodoo Mountain, Wales Creek) and directs management under existing Forest Service or BLM land-use plans.
Introduced December 17, 2025 by Troy Downing · Last progress December 17, 2025
Removes wilderness study area (WSA) status for three specified Montana WSAs and directs that those lands be managed under the applicable Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management land-use plans. The bill does not create new programs or funding; it changes the statutory designation so the Middle Fork Judith (≈81,000 acres), Hoodoo Mountain (≈11,380 acres), and Wales Creek (≈11,580 acres) areas are no longer WSAs and will be managed for multiple use under existing management plans. The text notes agency findings that these and many other WSAs were previously determined unsuitable for wilderness. The change is intended to allow improved access, sportsmen opportunities, wildlife and wildfire mitigation, and management consistent with local input and existing environmental laws. Agencies continue to be bound by applicable environmental and administrative requirements while managing the released lands.