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S. 3527 would change the management status of three Montana Wilderness Study Areas: Middle Fork Judith, Hoodoo Mountain, and Wales Creek. These areas have been designated as potential wilderness since the 1970s and 1980s, but the bill would return them to general public land management. Supporters argue this change would allow land managers greater flexibility to reduce wildfire risk, restore wildlife habitat, and increase hunting and fishing opportunities. The bill retains certain environmental protections while removing restrictions on motorized access and other uses that apply to wilderness study areas.
The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote. Federal land management agencies including the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have expressed support. However, conservation groups and some Montanans oppose the change, arguing these areas should remain protected as potential wilderness and that decisions about their future should involve more local stakeholder collaboration. A 2024 survey found 75 percent of Montana voters wanted to continue protection for these wilderness study areas.
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Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Feb 12, 2026
Feb 12, 2026 · 15:00
On February 12, 2026, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining held a legislative hearing to examine 23 bills addressing public lands management, conservation, and resource development. The bills covered diverse topics including economic development and conservation in Nevada, mineral withdrawal protections in Nevada and Utah, wildfire mitigation through grazing, offshore critical minerals development, and land conveyances to local governments in Colorado and Utah. The hearing examined legislation with varying policy approaches. Some bills sought to withdraw federal lands from mineral leasing and development, such as S. 1349 to protect the Ruby Mountains and Ruby Lake areas in Nevada. Others focused on land management tools, including S. 1981, the Strategic Grazing to Reduce Risk of Wildfire Act, which would authorize grazing as a wildfire prevention strategy. Subcommittee Chairman Barrasso highlighted his Grasslands Grazing Act, noting that "Federal grazing is a necessary tool for wildfire prevention and promoting rangeland health." Additional bills addressed land conveyances to municipalities, access to public lands, and modernization of federal land acquisition authority. The hearing did not result in immediate action on the bills. A legislative hearing allows committees to gather information and perspectives before deciding whether to advance legislation, but the hearing itself does not guarantee that any of the bills will move forward.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Mar 4, 2026
Mar 4, 2026 · 09:30
On March 4, 2026, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a business meeting in Room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to consider multiple pieces of legislation and executive nominations. The bills addressed a range of land management and conservation issues, including measures to release Montana land from wilderness study area designation, establish a national historic site in Georgia, study the feasibility of designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Utah, authorize grazing for wildfire risk reduction, and convey federal lands in various states including Nevada, Utah, California, and Kentucky. The committee also considered bills requiring accurate reporting on hazardous fuels reduction activities and addressing grazing agreements on national grasslands. In addition to the legislation, the committee considered three nominations: Stevan Pearce of New Mexico to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management, David LaCerte of Louisiana to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Kyle Haustveit of North Dakota to be Under Secretary of Energy. No witnesses were listed for this business meeting, which is typical for such sessions where the committee votes on whether to advance bills and confirm nominees. A business meeting is a procedural step where the committee decides whether to report bills to the full Senate for consideration and whether to recommend confirmation of nominees. The holding of a business meeting does not guarantee that bills will advance or that nominees will be confirmed.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Feb 12, 2026
Feb 12, 2026 · 15:00
On February 12, 2026, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining held a legislative hearing to examine 23 bills addressing public lands management, conservation, and resource development. The bills covered diverse topics including economic development and conservation in Nevada, mineral withdrawal protections in Nevada and Utah, wildfire mitigation through grazing, offshore critical minerals development, and land conveyances to local governments in Colorado and Utah. The hearing examined legislation with varying policy approaches. Some bills sought to withdraw federal lands from mineral leasing and development, such as S. 1349 to protect the Ruby Mountains and Ruby Lake areas in Nevada. Others focused on land management tools, including S. 1981, the Strategic Grazing to Reduce Risk of Wildfire Act, which would authorize grazing as a wildfire prevention strategy. Subcommittee Chairman Barrasso highlighted his Grasslands Grazing Act, noting that "Federal grazing is a necessary tool for wildfire prevention and promoting rangeland health." Additional bills addressed land conveyances to municipalities, access to public lands, and modernization of federal land acquisition authority. The hearing did not result in immediate action on the bills. A legislative hearing allows committees to gather information and perspectives before deciding whether to advance legislation, but the hearing itself does not guarantee that any of the bills will move forward.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Mar 4, 2026
Mar 4, 2026 · 09:30
On March 4, 2026, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a business meeting in Room 366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building to consider multiple pieces of legislation and executive nominations. The bills addressed a range of land management and conservation issues, including measures to release Montana land from wilderness study area designation, establish a national historic site in Georgia, study the feasibility of designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Utah, authorize grazing for wildfire risk reduction, and convey federal lands in various states including Nevada, Utah, California, and Kentucky. The committee also considered bills requiring accurate reporting on hazardous fuels reduction activities and addressing grazing agreements on national grasslands. In addition to the legislation, the committee considered three nominations: Stevan Pearce of New Mexico to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management, David LaCerte of Louisiana to be a Member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Kyle Haustveit of North Dakota to be Under Secretary of Energy. No witnesses were listed for this business meeting, which is typical for such sessions where the committee votes on whether to advance bills and confirm nominees. A business meeting is a procedural step where the committee decides whether to report bills to the full Senate for consideration and whether to recommend confirmation of nominees. The holding of a business meeting does not guarantee that bills will advance or that nominees will be confirmed.
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Dec 17, 2025
No CBO cost estimate has been published for this bill.
