Montana's public land lead topic at House candidates meetings

Phil Drake | Great Falls Tribune

Bill killing wilderness study areas prompts passionate debate A meeting to take public input on a bill that would remove wilderness study act designations in five areas of Montana drew more than 130 people and strong views on both sides.

Democratic and Republican candidates for Montana's lone House seat are having meetings Wednesday to discuss Wilderness Study Areas.

Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont., will hold a roundtable discussion 10 a.m. Wednesday in Lewistown about public land legislation that would impact Wilderness Study Areas that he has introduced.

Democratic challenger Kathleen Williams is holding an event on the same topic at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Missoula.

At Gianforte’s event, participants will discuss his Protect Public Use of Public Lands Act and the Unlocking Public Lands Act. The bills, House Resolution 5148 and H.R. 5149, restore more than 690,000 acres of public land, which the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management studied and determined unsuitable for wilderness designation, to the active management of the federal land management agencies, Gianforte’s staff said.

The meeting will be 10 a.m. at the Fergus County Complex, 121 8th Ave. S., Lewistown.

Gianforte said he introduced the measures after the Montana state Legislature passed a resolution in 2017 urging Congress to act and after receiving letters regarding Wilderness Study Areas from county commissioners in impacted communities.

Among those participating are Fergus County Commissioner Carl Seilstad, Citizens for Balanced Use, Montana Association of Counties, Montana Backcountry Hunter and Anglers, Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, Montana Stockgrowers Association, Montana Wild Sheep Foundation, Montana Wilderness Association, Montana Wildlife Federation, Montana Wood Products Association, Outdoor Alliance, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Teddy Roosevelt Conservation.

Williams will also have a meeting Wednesday on Wilderness Study Areas, but in Missoula.

The public may attend the free event. Williams, who touts her work on natural resource issues, is not expected to propose legislation or argue for specific policy positions, organizers said.



The round table will begin with information from experts and include time for public comment.

It is 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 330, Student Center, University of Montana.

Williams said she has heard existing legislation may go too far or not address the right issues.

With 44 WSAs in Montana managed by either the Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Forest Service, any changes to the status of WSAs should include significant public comment, Williams said.

Reach Phil Drake at 406-422-0772 or pdrake@greatfallstribune.com





