“At the encouragement of state and local leaders, I introduced legislation to restore public lands, which have been found unsuitable for wilderness designation, to the active management of the U.S. Forest Service and BLM," Gianforte said last week when questioned about the fate of the bills.

"I appreciate the ongoing feedback I’ve received from county commissioners and Montanans, from private meetings to public forums, on how to improve the legislation. As the new Congress approaches, I’m looking for ways to work with the Montana delegation and members of Congress from both parties to advance Montana’s interests.”

The next Congress could be tougher for those trying to remove wilderness designations. In the November midterm elections, Democrats — generally less likely to loosen environmental restrictions — picked up 40 seats in the House of Representatives and gained the majority.

Daines said he would continue to coordinate with Gianforte in the next Congress "on what to do with the areas not deemed suitable for wilderness to protect Montanans from losing access to their public lands.”

Conservation groups, meanwhile, mostly applauded the demise of the WSA measures.