H.R. 6788 — Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

This section states congressional findings regarding wilderness study areas (WSAs) in Montana, including that the Forest Service determined 608,700 acres (of 973,000 acres originally studied under the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977) unsuitable for wilderness designation—including the Middle Fork Judith WSA (81,000 acres)—and reaffirmed that determination in 2021; the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) determined 273,828 acres (of 447,327 acres studied under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976) unsuitable—including the Hoodoo Mountain WSA (11,380 acres) and Wales Creek WSA (11,580 acres)—and reaffirmed that in 2020; over 700,000 acres of WSAs have been deemed unsuitable but remain designated pending congressional action; and releasing WSA status for the three specified areas would enable management under applicable plans (developed collaboratively using best available science) to enhance backcountry sportsmen opportunities, public access, and wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects while retaining certain protections.

This section releases approximately 81,000 acres comprising the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area from management under section 3(a) of the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977 and directs management in accordance with the applicable land and resource management plan under the National Forest Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1604). It also releases approximately 11,380 acres comprising the Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area and 11,580 acres comprising the Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area from management under section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c))—which requires wilderness study areas to be managed to preserve wilderness characteristics pending congressional action—and directs management in accordance with applicable Bureau of Land Management land use plans.