Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02), alongside U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, introduced the "Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act." The bill returns three Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) to general management. Each WSA is recommended for release by their respective agency's land and resource management plan revisions and retains certain protections for these WSA's while providing more flexibility for land managers to mitigate wildfire risk, restore wildlife habitat, and increase sportsmen access.

"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.

"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.

"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.

Read the bill text HERE.

Background:

The three Wilderness Study Areas Daines' bill would return to general public land management are the Middle Fork Judith WSA, the Hoodoo Mountain WSA, and the Wales Creek WSA.

The bill has garnered support across the state- read letters of support below.

• Judith Basin County Commissioners
• Powell County Commissioners
• Montana Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife
• Montana Farm Bureau Federation
• Great Falls Bicycle Club
• Montana Outfitters and Guides Association

This bill is also supported by Montana Logging Association and Montana Snowmobiles Association.

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