Daines Introduces Legislation to Protect Public Use of Public Lands
Press Release
U.S. Senator Steve Daines today introduced legislation, the Protect Public Use of Public Lands Act, to protect public access and use of Montana's public lands by implementing the Forest Service'srecommendation to release 449,500 acres of Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) in Montana.
"As a fifth-generation Montanan and an avid outdoorsman, I know how important public use of our public lands is to Montanans," Daines stated. "Forty years of DC paralysis has frozen our access and use of public lands. It's time to keep public lands in public hands."
This bill follows bottom-up requests from the state legislature and local communities. Implementing the Forest Service recommendation for these WSAs will increase the value of public lands for Montana outdoor recreationists of all ages and across the board--hunters, anglers, snowmobilers, mountain bikers, off-road vehicles users and more, bolstering Montana's $6 billion outdoor economy and balancing our iconic wildlife populations. The Protect Public Use of Public Lands Act enhances Montana's outdoor heritage and agriculture economies.
WSAs included in this legislation to protect public access and use are:
1) Supported for address by the local community;
2) Not Recommended for wilderness by the Forest Service in a final plan,
3) Included in the State Legislature Resolution that passed in 2017 (H.J.Res. 9 Passed 60-40 in House, 33-17 in Senate) asking the U.S. Congress to address Montana's seven WSAs on National Forest System Lands.
Improperly managed public lands and statements of support to protect public use of public lands:
1. West Pioneer Wilderness Study Areas
The West Pioneer WSA comprises approximately 151,000 acres in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest just east of Wisdom, Montana. The West Pioneer WSA was recommended to be managed as non-wilderness by the Forest Service as a part of the 1981 Forest Plan. In a recent letter from the Beaverhead County Commissioners, the commissioners outlined the need for the U.S. Congress to act on the Forest Service's decision to manage as non-wilderness and to release the West Pioneer WSA.
In the northern half (Lacy Creek north) of the WSA, 19.8 miles of single-track trails and 4.25 miles of roads have been closed to motorized wheeled travel since 1977. All roads, trails, and areas in the southern half of the WSA are closed to motorized wheeled vehicle use yearlong. These uses may be increased in the public planning process with the WSA release. This WSA was among the seven WSAs requested by the Montana Legislature to be addressed.
2. Sapphire Wilderness Study Area
The Sapphire WSA comprises approximately 94,000 acres in the Bitterroot National Forest and parts of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge Forest just east of Hamilton, Montana. The Sapphire WSA was recommended to be managed as non-wilderness by the Forest Service as part of the 1987 Forest Plan. The Ravalli County Commissioners recently sent a letter in support of releasing both WSAs in the Bitteroot Forest.
Per the 2016 Travel Management Plan, all motorized and mechanical uses have been closed in the Bitterroot portion of the Sapphire WSA. With the WSA released, these uses could be reconsidered.
In the Beaverhead, since 1977 the Forest Service has closed approximately 30 miles of trails and three miles of road to motorized wheeled vehicles yearlong. These trails remain open for foot, stock, and mountain bike use. These uses could be reconsidered with the WSA released.
3. Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area
The Middle Fork Judith WSA is comprised of approximately 81,000 acres in the Lewis and Clark National Forest just south of Stanford, Montana. The Middle Fork Judith WSA was recommended to be managed as non-wilderness by the Forest Service in 1982 and 1986. Instead, it recommends for primitive recreation, wildlife management and development/timber management along Harrison Creek drainage. This area is well-known for multiple use, including: hunting, motorcycling and snowmobiling.
The 2007 Travel Management Plan reduced the number of motorized routes and restricted season of use within the WSA. There was a reduction in acres available to snowmobiles from 100% to one approximately 8-mile route. Twelve motorized routes (4 full size, 1 ATV, 12 motorcycle) were reduced to four routes (2 full size, 1 ATV, 4 motorcycle). These uses can be reconsidered without a WSA designation.
4. Big Snowies Wilderness Study Area
The Big Snowies WSA comprises approximately 91,000 acres in the Lewis and Clark National Forest just south of Lewistown, Montana. The Big Snowies WSA was recommended to be managed as non-wilderness by the Forest Service in 1982. We have received extensive feedback and support from the Judith and Fergus County Commissioners, sportsmen's groups and constituents for the release of the Big Snowies WSA. This area is well-known for multiple use, including: hunting, motorcycling and snowmobiling.
The Travel Management Plan reduced the number of motorized routes within this WSA. There is a reduction in acres available to over snow vehicles by approximately 60%. Nine motorized routes open to full size vehicles, were reduced to three open to full size vehicles. These uses can be reconsidered without a WSA designation.
5. Blue Joint Wilderness Study Area
The Blue Joint WSA comprises approximately 61,000 acres in the Bitterroot National Forest south of Hamilton on the Idaho/Montana boarder. The Forest Service recommended in its 1987 Forest Plan to add 28,500 acres (of the 61,000 acres) to the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness or designate it as a separate unit. The remaining 32,500 acres were recommended to be managed as non-wilderness. This bill would release these 32,500 acres. The area is well known for multiple use, including: hunting, motorcycling, mountain biking and snowmobiling.
Per the 2016 Travel Management Plan, all motorized and mechanical travel have been closed in the Blue Joint WSA. These uses can be reconsidered with the WSA release.
Background:
These Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) were designated by Congress in the 1970's to be researched by the U.S. Forest Service on whether they should or should not be included in the National Wilderness Preservation System. In the 1980's the Forest Service made their recommendations to Congress and this resulted in a non-wilderness recommendation or a partial non-wilderness designation for all of the WSAs. It has since the 1980's been the responsibility of Congress to release the WSAs.
Montana Wilderness Facts and Findings:
3,443,038 acres of designated Wilderness
1,104,874 acres in Wilderness Study Areas
902,304 Forest Service Recommended Wilderness acres
6,290,437 acres designated as roadless areas in Forest Service lands
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