WASHINGTON – Congressman Greg Gianforte today introduced
legislation, the Protect Public Use of Public Lands Act and
the Unlocking Public Lands Act, that will increase access to public
lands, empower local communities, and do the work Congress should have
taken care of nearly 40 years ago. The bills implement
recommendations by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S.
Forest Service (USFS) to release more than 690,000 acres of Wilderness
Study Areas (WSAs) in Montana that the agencies found not suitable for
wilderness designation. “Nearly 700,000 acres of Montana’s public
lands have been in limbo for as long as 40 years, stuck in a perpetual
study that was actually completed years ago. Congress didn’t act then
like it should have, and it’s about time we did,” Gianforte
said. “Unlocking these lands and returning them to Forest Service and
BLM management will increase Montanans’ access to their public lands.”
U.S. Senator Steve Daines, who introduced the Protect Public Use of
Public Lands Act in the Senate, welcomed Gianforte’s action. “Thanks
to Greg for introducing the Protect Public Use of Public Lands Act in
the House. I’ve heard from county commissioners, outdoor recreationists,
Montana families and the Montana state legislature — they are tired of
Washington, D.C. paralysis locking up access to their public
lands,” said Daines. “It’s time Washington, D.C. listen to Montanans and
keep public lands in public hands.” Gianforte introduced
legislation to unlock Montana’s public lands and increase public access
after hearing from local leaders, state legislators, key stakeholders,
and impacted communities who endorsed the decades-old USFS and BLM
recommendations.
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