Congress·Reported·S. 3527

Montana Public Lands: Remove Wilderness Study Status for Three Areas

Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Congress would end “wilderness study area” rules for about 81,000 acres in Middle Fork Judith in Montana.
It would also end that status for about 11,380 acres at Hoodoo Mountain and about 11,580 acres at Wales Creek.
After the change, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management would manage these lands under their most recent local land plans instead of extra wilderness-study limits.
Supporters say this could allow better public access, more hunting and fishing opportunities, and more wildlife habitat work and wildfire risk projects.
The bill says normal environmental and public-input laws would still apply, but the areas would no longer be managed as potential future wilderness.

EnvironmentAgricultureInfrastructure

3 milestones4 actions

Mar 4, 2026Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Feb 12, 2026Senate

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.

Dec 17, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

Bill NumberS 3527

Congress119th Congress

ChamberSenate

Latest ActionCommittee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

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R: 1

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

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