I want to publicly and sincerely thank Senator Steve Daines for addressing Wilderness Study Areas in Montana that are not recommended for wilderness designation. The Protect Public Use of Public Land Act (text found here – https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2206/text) is honoring the desires of the 65th Montana Legislature though the passage of our HJ9, which requested a decision from Congress on seven Wilderness Study Areas. It’s encouraging to have one of our Senators working in harmony with the state legislature to support the will of Montanans that support removing restrictions on lands not deemed suitable for Wilderness protections.
Congress passed the Montana Wilderness Study Act in 1977 which required the Secretary of Agriculture to review over 950k acres of land within five years to determine suitability for preservation as wilderness and report the findings to the President.
That was 40 years ago. We’re now 35 years overdue, and still waiting for a final decision from Congress.
Currently, these lands are in legal limbo, the focus of many lawsuits and susceptible to restrictions that reduce a majority of users from accessing public land. This directive by perpetuity in areas not suitable for wilderness has resulted in a waste of forest assets, poor public planning, and a harmful reduction in forest road construction and multiple-use access improvements. The long-term sustainability of public lands depends on good stewardship and professional scientific site-specific management of forest resources. Montana’s historic heritage, customs, and culture are linked to the proper stewardship and use of the state’s natural resources.
The failure of Congress to remove designations in non-suitable areas as determined by the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977 severely harms multiple-use interests and other forest users as well as Montana communities and Montana families economically supported by those activities. National forest lands released from wilderness study would still be subject to the National Forest Management Act, which requires extensive public involvement as the Forest Service agency develops and updates plans for the management and use of resources in each forest.
Senator Daines’ bill would be a big and long overdue step in the right direction toward correction, and I urge your support.
Rep. Theresa Manzella
HD 85