US HB6788

Releases approximately 103,960 acres across three Montana wilderness study areas from their protected designation: Middle Fork Judith (81,000 acres), Hoodoo Mountain (11,380 acres), and Wales Creek (11,580 acres)

Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management previously determined all three areas unsuitable for wilderness designation through studies completed between 1979-2021

Transfers management of released lands to standard land management plans, allowing for wildlife habitat projects, wildfire mitigation, improved public access, and enhanced hunting/fishing opportunities

Over 1.1 million acres of Montana public land currently remain in wilderness study area status despite agency recommendations against wilderness designation for more than 700,000 of those acres

Middle Fork Judith area will be managed under Forest Service planning rules, while Hoodoo Mountain and Wales Creek areas will be managed under Bureau of Land Management plans