Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02), together with U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, has introduced the “Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act.” The proposed legislation would remove the Wilderness Study Area (WSA) designation from three areas in Montana: Hoodoo Mountain, Wales Creek, and Middle Fork Judith. These changes follow recommendations from agency land and resource management plan revisions.
According to Downing, the current designations are not suitable for these lands. “Land management must be fit for purpose, and the science shows that the Hoodoo Mountain, Wales Creek, and Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Areas would be better served without their WSA designations. I’m proud to lead the effort in the House to return these lands to general management, unlocking public access and breaking down barriers preventing effective stewardship. I look forward to working with Senators Daines and Sheehy to get this commonsense measure across the finish line,” said Downing.
Senator Daines highlighted the importance of outdoor access for Montanans. “As a lifelong sportsman, increasing access to Montana’s great outdoors is one of my top priorities. The ‘Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act’ promotes our outdoor way of life by returning restrictive WSA’s to general public land management, which will improve wildlife habitat restoration, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, and unlock better access to public lands. I look forward to working with Senator Sheehy, Representative Zinke, and Representative Downing to get this bill across the finish line,” said Daines.
Senator Sheehy emphasized conservation efforts tied to public land use. “Increasing access to our public lands and conserving the open spaces that we all enjoy, define our way of life, and create our shared heritage is something we can all agree on, and that’s exactly what the Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act delivers. Working to combat wildfire risk, better steward our lands, improve wildlife habitat, and continue to protect our right to hunt, fish, and recreate on our public lands is Montana common sense, and I’m proud to stand with Senator Daines in this critical mission,” said Sheehy.
The three WSAs affected by this bill—Middle Fork Judith WSA, Hoodoo Mountain WSA, and Wales Creek WSA—would move from their current status back into general public land management if the act passes.
The proposal has received support from several groups across Montana including county commissioners from Judith Basin County and Powell County as well as organizations such as Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife; Montana Farm Bureau Federation; Great Falls Bicycle Club; Montana Outfitters and Guides Association; Montana Logging Association; and Montana Snowmobiles Association.
