PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Congressional Research Service
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People & committees
Rep. Zinke, Ryan K. [R-MT-1] · R–MT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We also preserved the text version used in the PlainBill explanation below.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Oct 6, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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PlainBill explanation
Based on the full Introduced in House · 2026-09-21 text. This explanation has not received human editorial review. This overview describes the proposal’s major provisions; it does not establish what its real-world effects would be.
This proposal would set different management rules for federal lands in Montana, prioritizing forest restoration in some places, recreation in others, and wilderness protection in others. It would affect how visitors use trails and vehicles and how federal agencies manage forests. Existing livestock grazing could continue under conditions, including in the proposed wilderness areas.
The term State means the State of Montana.
the Secretary shall ensure the implementation of restoration activities are a management priority in the restoration areas.
The purpose of the recreation areas is to preserve and enhance the recreational opportunities within the recreation areas (including opportunities for mountain bike and off-highway vehicle recreation, where appropriate), while conserving the wildlife, cultural, and other natural resource values of the recreation areas.
Beginning on the date on which the management plan developed under paragraph (2) takes effect, except as necessary for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, the use of motorized vehicles in the recreation areas shall be permitted only on roads and trails designated by the management plan for motorized use.
In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System:
The grazing of livestock and the maintenance of existing facilities relating to grazing in the wilderness areas, if established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be permitted to continue in accordance with— (1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)); and (2) the guidelines set forth in the report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H. Rept. 96–617).
The bill would designate six restoration areas, subject to valid existing rights: Ogden Mountain, approximately 42,764 acres; Lincoln Gulch, 26,495; Marsh Creek, 32,256; Coopers Lake, 20,481; Seeley Lake, 37,541; and Clearwater, 24,096. Their boundaries would follow the referenced map.
Subject to valid existing rights, there are designated as restoration areas in the State the following: (1) Ogden mountain restoration area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 42,764 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Ogden Mountain Restoration Area. (2) Lincoln gulch restoration area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 26,495 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Lincoln Gulch Restoration Area. (3) Marsh creek restoration area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 32,256 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Marsh Creek Restoration Area. (4) Coopers lake restoration area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 20,481 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Coopers Lake Restoration Area. (5) Seeley lake restoration area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 37,541 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Seeley Lake Restoration Area. (6) Clearwater restoration area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 24,096 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Clearwater Restoration Area.
The Agriculture Secretary would make restoration a management priority under applicable law and consult interested collaborative groups. Stated purposes include forests better able to withstand fire, reduced wildfire threats, and protection of water and wildlife habitat; these are objectives, not demonstrated results.
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
The purposes of the restoration areas are— (1) to establish, restore, and maintain fire-resilient forest structures; (2) to enhance the restoration of Federal land; (3) to reduce the threat of uncharacteristic wildfire; (4) to restore historical forest patterns and fire regimes; (5) to protect and restore aquatic habitat and watershed function; (6) to protect and restore wildlife habitat, migration corridors, and connectivity pathways
Consistent with applicable law and this section, the Secretary shall ensure the implementation of restoration activities are a management priority in the restoration areas.
In developing and implementing restoration projects in the restoration areas, the Secretary shall consult with collaborative groups with an interest in the restoration areas.
Restoration-area rules would allow preventive and responsive wildfire operations consistent with the areas’ purposes and require planned burning where practicable. Vegetation projects would remain subject to applicable law, agency policies, the restoration purposes, and applicable endangered-species recovery or conservation plans.
Nothing in this section prohibits the Secretary, in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local agencies, as appropriate, from conducting preventative or responsive wildland fire operations in the restoration areas, consistent with the purposes described in subsection (a). (B) Prescribed fire To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall use prescribed burning to achieve the purposes described in subsection (a).
A vegetation management project within a restoration area shall be carried out— (i) subject to— (I) such policies and practices as the Secretary determines appropriate; and (II) applicable law (including regulations); and (ii) in a manner consistent with— (I) one or more of the purposes described in subsection (a); and (II) any applicable recovery plan or conservation plan under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Permanent roads in restoration areas could be built only where construction was permitted at enactment. New temporary roads would have to be necessary for qualifying vegetation projects, closed to the public, and decommissioned within three years after project completion. Projects would assess existing roads’ effects on aquatic ecosystems; removal of unneeded roads and unauthorized routes would depend on practicability, appropriations, and applicable law. Needed existing permanent roads could be relocated for specified resource protections.
The construction of permanent roads within a restoration area shall be allowed only in areas in which permanent road construction is permitted as of the date of enactment of this Act.
The construction of temporary roads within a restoration area shall be allowed only as necessary to implement a vegetation management project carried out in accordance with this section.
The Secretary shall ensure that temporary roads constructed in a restoration area under this section are closed for public use.
Not later than 3 years after the date on which the applicable vegetation management project is completed, the Secretary shall decommission any temporary road constructed to implement the vegetation management project under clause (i).
the Secretary shall assess the effect of existing roads (as of the date of enactment of this Act) within the project area on aquatic ecosystems.
To the extent practicable, within the restoration areas, the Secretary shall decommission National Forest System roads that the Secretary has determined are unneeded, temporary roads no longer being utilized for project purposes, and unauthorized routes— (I) subject to the availability of appropriations; and (II) in accordance with applicable law.
Nothing in this section prevents the Secretary from rerouting, realigning or relocating a needed permanent road in existence as of the date of enactment of this Act to protect natural resources within a restoration area from degradation, reduce sedimentation, or protect streams.
Existing livestock grazing in restoration areas would continue, subject to reasonable agency rules, applicable law, and the areas’ purposes. Motor vehicles would be permitted only on designated roads, trails, and areas.
The grazing of livestock in restoration areas, where established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be permitted to continue— (A) subject to— (i) such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary considers necessary; and (ii) applicable law; and (B) in a manner consistent with the purposes described in subsection (a).
The use of motorized vehicles in the restoration areas shall be permitted only on roads, trails, and areas designated for such use.
Within 18 months after enactment, the Secretary would have to change the official maps of inventoried roadless areas to exclude portions inside the restoration areas, following the cited regulation and other applicable law.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in accordance with section 294.11 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations), and other applicable law (including regulations), shall modify the maps of inventoried roadless areas to exclude the portions of inventoried roadless areas within the restoration areas.
The bill would designate the Hoodoo Mountain and Wales Creek Backcountry Areas on approximately 17,083 and 13,667 acres of Bureau of Land Management land, respectively, subject to valid existing rights. The Interior Secretary would manage them under the specified 2021 Missoula plan and applicable laws, with restoration as a priority and purposes including habitat protection and wildlife-related and quiet recreation.
In sections 103 and 104, the term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
Subject to valid existing rights, the following areas in the State are designated as backcountry areas: (1) Hoodoo mountain backcountry area Certain Federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, comprising approximately 17,083 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Hoodoo Mountain Backcountry Area. (2) Wales creek backcountry area Certain Federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management, comprising approximately 13,667 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Wales Creek Backcountry Area.
to protect and restore wildlife habitat, migration corridors, and connectivity pathways
to provide for wildlife dependent recreations opportunities, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and photography, and quiet recreation
in accordance with— (i) the 2021 Missoula Field Office Resource Management Plan (as in effect as of the date of enactment); (ii) the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.); (iii) this Act; and (iv) any other applicable law (including regulations).
Consistent with applicable law and this section, the Secretary shall ensure the implementation of restoration activities are a management priority in the backcountry areas.
The bill would declare the Hoodoo Mountain and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Areas adequately studied and end their coverage under section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The supplied text does not reproduce that existing provision’s requirements.
Congress finds that, for the purposes of section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)), the public lands within the Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area and Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area in the State have been adequately studied for wilderness designation and shall no longer be subject to section 603(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1782(c)).
Four recreation areas would be designated, subject to valid existing rights: Bartlett Creek, approximately 6,619 acres; Sandbar Creek, 4,012; Lodgepole Creek, 24,058; and Rice Ridge, 10,958. Their purpose would combine recreation, including mountain biking and off-highway vehicles where appropriate, with conservation of wildlife, cultural, and natural resources.
Subject to valid existing rights, there are designated as recreation areas in the State the following: (1) Bartlett creek recreation area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 6,619 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Bartlett Creek Recreation Area. (2) Sandbar creek recreation area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 4,012 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Sandbar Creek Recreation Area. (3) Lodgepole creek recreation area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 24,058 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Lodgepole Creek Recreation Area. (4) Rice ridge recreation area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 10,958 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Rice Ridge Recreation Area.
The purpose of the recreation areas is to preserve and enhance the recreational opportunities within the recreation areas (including opportunities for mountain bike and off-highway vehicle recreation, where appropriate), while conserving the wildlife, cultural, and other natural resource values of the recreation areas.
Within three years after enactment, the Secretary would develop a recreation-area management plan after consulting State, Tribal, and local governments and the public. It would identify opportunities for motorized loop trails and varied riding challenges in Bartlett and Sandbar Creeks, and mountain-bike trails in Lodgepole Creek and Rice Ridge. It would also include habitat and cultural-resource protections, education, and enforcement.
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act and in accordance with subparagraphs (B) and (C), the Secretary shall develop a comprehensive plan for the long-term management of the recreation areas.
the Secretary shall consult with— (i) appropriate State, Tribal, and local governmental entities; and (ii) members of the public.
identify opportunities to establish new motor vehicle trails in Bartlett and Sandbar Creek Recreation Areas that— (I) create challenging riding opportunities for riders of varying skill levels; and (II) create loop trails; (ii) identify opportunities to establish new mountain bike trails in Lodgepole Creek and Rice Ridge Recreation Areas
include measures necessary to protect natural and cultural resources, including wildlife and aquatic habitat; and (v) emphasize the education of users of recreation areas, through signage, visitor contacts, and enforcement, of the important values of, and regulations governing, the recreation areas.
Once the recreation management plan took effect, motor vehicles generally would be restricted to its designated roads and trails. Lodgepole Creek snow vehicles would be limited to designated areas, adequate snow, specified seasonal restrictions, applicable laws, and agency conditions. Necessary administrative and emergency use would be excepted from the designated-route and designated-area restrictions.
Beginning on the date on which the management plan developed under paragraph (2) takes effect, except as necessary for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, the use of motorized vehicles in the recreation areas shall be permitted only on roads and trails designated by the management plan for motorized use.
allow the use of over-snow vehicles in Lodgepole Creek Recreation Area— (I) during periods of adequate snow coverage; (II) in accordance with— (aa) this section; and (bb) the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the National Forest System; (III) according to the seasonal use restrictions on over-snow vehicles contained in the United States Forest Service Seeley Lake Ranger District Over-The-Snow Motor Vehicle Use Map, dated December 1, 2014 (as amended); and (IV) subject to any terms and conditions determined to be necessary by the Secretary.
Except as necessary for administrative purposes or to respond to an emergency, the use of over-snow vehicles shall be permitted within the Lodgepole Creek Recreation Area only in areas designated by the management plan developed in accordance with section 201(c)(2), and in accordance with section 202(b)(2).
The bill would designate Copper Bowls and North/Elsina Bowls winter recreation areas, approximately 5,182 and 6,932 acres respectively, subject to valid existing rights. Snow vehicles would be allowed with adequate snow, subject to specified seasonal restrictions, applicable law, and agency conditions. Management would have to protect resources and prevent entry into adjacent wilderness, including Tribally managed wilderness.
Subject to valid existing rights, there are designated as winter recreation areas in the State the following: (1) Copper bowls winter recreation area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 5,182 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, is designated as the Copper Bowls Winter Recreation Area. (2) North/elsina bowls winter recreation area Certain Federal land in the State, comprising approximately 6,932 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, is designated as the North/Elsina Bowls Winter Recreation Area.
The use of over-snow vehicles shall be allowed in the winter recreation areas— (A) during periods of adequate snow coverage; (B) in accordance with— (i) this section; and (ii) the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the National Forest System; (C) consistent with the seasonal use restrictions on over-snow vehicles contained in the United States Forest Service Lincoln Ranger District Over-The-Snow Motor Vehicle Use Map, dated November 8, 2018 (as amended); and the United States Forest Service Seeley Lake Ranger District Over-The-Snow Motor Vehicle Use Map, dated December 1, 2014; (D) other applicable laws (including regulations); and (E) subject to any terms and conditions the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
The Secretary shall manage motorized recreation activities in the winter recreation area— (1) to prohibit degradation of natural and cultural resources in the winter recreation area; and (2) to prevent intrusion into adjacent wilderness areas, including Tribally managed wilderness.
Within two years after enactment, the Secretary would designate a mapped snow-vehicle connector corridor around the eastern boundary of the Mission Mountains Wilderness Additions, no wider than 200 feet. It would retain wilderness character without being designated wilderness. Commercial timber harvest and new roads would be prohibited; the motor-vehicle exception would allow snow vehicles less than 60 inches wide with adequate snow and agency conditions. Management would have to prevent resource damage and intrusion into adjacent wilderness.
To provide for over-snow vehicle access between the North/Elsina winter recreation area around the eastern boundary of the Mission Mountains Wilderness Additions designated by section 301, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall designate an over-snow vehicle connector trail corridor as generally depicted on the map (hereafter in this section referred to as the trail corridor), which shall not exceed 200 feet in width.
to maintain their wilderness character, notwithstanding that the lands are not designated as wilderness
Commercial timber harvests shall be prohibited within the trail corridor.
Except as provided in paragraph (4), the use of motorized vehicles within the trail corridor is prohibited, and no new permanent or temporary roads shall be allowed within the trail corridor.
The use of over-snow vehicles shall be allowed in the trail corridor— (i) only for use by over-snow vehicles with a width of less than 60 inches; (ii) during periods of adequate snow coverage; and (iii) in accordance with— (I) this section; and (II) subject to any terms and conditions the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
The Secretary shall manage the use of over-snow vehicles within the trail corridor— (i) to prohibit degradation of natural and cultural resources in the trail corridor; and (ii) to prevent intrusion into adjacent wilderness areas, including Tribally managed wilderness.
Construction of mapped motorized, mountain-bike, and other nonmotorized trails would be required only if appropriations were available and the Secretary determined construction could comply with the bill and applicable National Forest System laws. The Secretary could modify the trails and accept volunteer work and nonfederal contributions. This is a conditional construction direction, not an appropriation of money.
Subject to the availability of appropriations, and in accordance with subsection (b), if the Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, determines that the construction of the trails described in paragraph (2) may be carried out in accordance with subsection (b), the Secretary shall provide for the construction of the trails.
the recreational trails for motorized uses and the recreational trails for mountain bicycling and other nonmotorized uses generally depicted on the Map.
As the Secretary determines to be necessary, the Secretary may modify the trails constructed under this subsection.
To reduce or eliminate the need for Federal expenditures to construct a route under this subsection, the route may be constructed through the acceptance of volunteer services and contributions from non-Federal sources.
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall comply with— (1) the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the National Forest System; and (2) this Act.
Three mapped motorized connecting trails would receive a specific exception: the Secretary could not treat their establishment as changing trail density in the Lincoln Ranger District for an applicable Endangered Species Act biological opinion—a review under that law. The text does not waive all endangered-species requirements.
The Secretary shall not consider the establishment of three new motorized connecting trails in the areas generally depicted on the Map to impact the trail density on the Lincoln Ranger District for purposes of an applicable biological opinion prepared under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536).
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall comply with— (1) the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the National Forest System; and (2) this Act.
A local collaborative group could trigger agency consideration by submitting a recreation proposal within five years after enactment. The process would have to involve diverse interests and be transparent and open to participation. The Secretary would promptly begin consideration and finish the required analysis within three years after receipt; construction would remain discretionary and subject to appropriations.
The term collaboratively developed means a proposal that is developed and implemented through a collaborative process that— (A) includes multiple interested persons representing diverse interests; and (B) is transparent and nonexclusive.
If a local collaborative group submits to the Secretary, by not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, a collaboratively developed proposal to improve recreational opportunities, including motorized and nonmotorized trails, the Secretary— (A) shall promptly initiate a decision making process in accordance with applicable laws (including regulations) to consider the proposal; and (B) subject to appropriations, and in accordance with subsection (d), may provide for the construction of any recreational infrastructure included in the proposal.
The Secretary shall complete the analysis required by paragraph (1)(A) by not later than 3 years after the date on which the Secretary receives the applicable collaboratively developed proposal.
Within 18 months after enactment, the Agriculture Secretary, consulting the Interior Secretary, would assess whether shooting ranges identified under the cited EXPLORE Act provision include sites reasonably accessible from Lincoln, Montana. Section 205 requires an assessment, not construction of a range.
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Agriculture.
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, shall assess whether the shooting ranges identified in section 123 of the EXPLORE Act (Public Law 118–234; 16 U.S.C. 8423) include sites that are reasonably accessible from Lincoln, Montana.
The bill would add approximately 48,930 acres to Scapegoat Wilderness, 49,736 acres to Bob Marshall Wilderness, and 2,878 acres to Mission Mountain Wilderness. It would also designate approximately 28,871 acres as Nevada Mountain Wilderness. These Forest Service lands would join the National Wilderness Preservation System under the Wilderness Act.
In accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), the following areas in the State are designated as wilderness areas and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System: (1) Scapegoat wilderness additions Certain Federal land administered by the Forest Service in the State, comprising approximately 48,930 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Scapegoat Wilderness designated by the first section of Public Law 92–395 (86 Stat. 578; 16 U.S.C. 1132 note). (2) Bob marshall wilderness additions Certain Federal land administered by the Forest Service in the State, comprising approximately 49,736 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness designated under section 3 of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1132). (3) Mission mountains wilderness additions Certain Federal land administered by the Forest Service in the State, comprising approximately 2,878 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be added to and administered as part of the Mission Mountain Wilderness designated by the second section of Public Law 93–632 (16 U.S.C. 1132). (4) Nevada mountain wilderness Certain Federal land administered by the Forest Service in the State, comprising approximately 28,871 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Nevada Mountain Wilderness.
The proposed wilderness areas would be administered under the Wilderness Act, subject to valid existing rights, using this bill’s enactment date for that law’s effective-date references. Livestock grazing and maintenance of existing grazing facilities established before enactment would continue under the specified Wilderness Act provision and congressional guidelines.
Subject to valid existing rights, the wilderness areas shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.), except that any reference in that Act to the effective date of that Act shall be considered to be a reference to the date of enactment of this Act.
The grazing of livestock and the maintenance of existing facilities relating to grazing in the wilderness areas, if established before the date of enactment of this Act, shall be permitted to continue in accordance with— (1) section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4)); and (2) the guidelines set forth in the report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H. Rept. 96–617).
The Secretary could take measures considered necessary to control fire, insects, and disease in the proposed wilderness areas, consistent with the cited Wilderness Act provision. Designation would create no surrounding buffer zone, and visibility or noise from an outside activity would not by itself prevent that activity.
In accordance with section 4(d)(1) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(1)), within the wilderness areas, the Secretary may take any measures that the Secretary determines to be necessary to control fire, insects, and diseases, including, as the Secretary determines appropriate, the coordination of the activities with a State or local agency.
The designation of a wilderness area shall not create any protective perimeter or buffer zone around the wilderness area.
The fact that non-wilderness activities or uses can be seen or heard from areas within a wilderness area shall not preclude the conduct of those activities or uses outside the boundary of the wilderness area.
The bill would designate the Continental Divide and Stonewall Conservation Management Areas on approximately 31,653 and 13,089 acres of Forest Service land, respectively, subject to valid existing rights. Uses would be allowed only when the Secretary determined they furthered the areas’ recreation, cultural, wildlife, roadless, and other conservation purposes.
Subject to valid existing rights, there are designated as conservation management areas in the State the following: (A) Continental divide conservation management area Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service in the State, comprising approximately 31,653 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Continental Divide Conservation Management Area. (B) Stonewall conservation management area Certain Federal land managed by the Forest Service in the State, comprising approximately 13,089 acres, as generally depicted on the Map, which shall be known as the Stonewall Conservation Management Area.
The purposes of the conservation management areas are to conserve, protect, and enhance for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations the recreational, scenic, historical, cultural, fish, wildlife, roadless, and ecological values of the conservation management areas.
The Secretary shall only allow such uses of the conservation management areas that the Secretary determines would further the purposes described in paragraph (2).
In the new conservation management areas, motor vehicles generally would be limited to routes and areas designated at enactment, and new permanent system roads and temporary roads would be prohibited. Exceptions would permit protective rerouting or closures, administrative vehicle use, and emergency responses. The designations would create no buffer zone or bar outside activities merely because they could be seen or heard inside.
The use of motorized vehicles in the conservation management areas shall be permitted only on roads, trails, and areas designated for use by motorized vehicles as of the date of enactment of this Act.
Except as provided in subclause (III), no new system roads or temporary roads shall be constructed within the conservation management areas.
Nothing in subclause (I) or (II) prohibits the Secretary from— (aa) rerouting or closing an existing road or trail to protect natural resources from degradation, as determined to be appropriate by the Secretary; (bb) authorizing the use of motorized vehicles for administrative purposes (including noxious weed eradication or grazing management); or (cc) responding to an emergency.
The designation of the conservation management areas shall not create a protective perimeter or buffer zone around the conservation management areas.
The fact that activities or uses can be seen or heard from areas within the conservation management areas shall not preclude the conduct of the activities or uses outside the boundary of the conservation management areas.
Grazing established at enactment in the new conservation management areas would be permitted under reasonable agency rules, applicable law, the areas’ purposes, and specified congressional guidelines. Vegetation management projects would also remain permissible under agency rules and applicable law when consistent with those purposes.
The Secretary shall permit grazing within the conservation management areas, if established on the date of enactment of this Act— (I) subject to— (aa) such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary determines appropriate; and (bb) all applicable laws; and (II) in a manner consistent with— (aa) the purposes described in paragraph (2); and (bb) the guidelines set forth in the report of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives accompanying H.R. 5487 of the 96th Congress (H. Rept. 96–617).
Nothing in this section prohibits the Secretary from conducting vegetation management projects within the conservation management areas— (I) subject to— (aa) such reasonable regulations, policies, and practices as the Secretary determines appropriate; and (bb) all applicable laws (including regulations); and (II) in a manner consistent with the purposes described in paragraph (2).
Land or land interests acquired by the United States inside a recreation area or either new conservation management area would become part of that area. Management would follow the corresponding bill provisions, the Weeks Law, National Forest System laws, and other applicable laws.
Any land or interest in land that is located in a recreation area that is acquired by the United States shall— (A) become part of the recreation area; and (B) be managed in accordance with— (i) the Act of March 1, 1911 (commonly known as the Weeks Law) (36 Stat. 961, chapter 186; 16 U.S.C. 552 et seq.); (ii) the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the National Forest System; (iii) this section; and (iv) other applicable laws (including regulations).
Any land or interest in land that is located in a conservation management area that is acquired by the United States shall— (i) become part of the conservation management area; and (ii) be managed in accordance with— (I) the Act of March 1, 1911 (commonly known as the Weeks Law) (36 Stat. 961, chapter 186; 16 U.S.C. 552 et seq.); (II) any laws (including regulations) applicable to the National Forest System; (III) this subsection; and (IV) any other applicable law (including regulations).
In consultation with Tribal Nations, the Secretary would incorporate education about cultural significance, Native American history, and other historical uses into management of the new conservation areas, along with Native American place names.
In consultation with Tribal Nations, the Secretary shall incorporate into the management of the conservation management areas— (i) public education and interpretation regarding the cultural significance, Native American history, and other historical uses of the conservation management areas; and (ii) Native American place names within the conservation management areas.
The bill would replace the Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Management Area’s statutory land description with one listing approximately 195,073 Forest Service acres and 13,087 Bureau of Land Management acres, plus approximately 18,126 Forest Service acres shown on the September 2026 map. The surrounding existing management statute is not reproduced.
Section 3065 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. Buck McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (16 U.S.C. 539r) is amended in subsection (b)(1), by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) Area included The Conservation Management Area shall consist of— (i) approximately 195,073 acres of Federal land managed by the Forest Service and 13,087 acres of Federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in the State, as generally depicted on the map; and (ii) approximately 18,126 acres of Federal land managed by the Forest Service in the State, as generally depicted on the map entitled A River Runs Through It Act and dated Sept 2026.
Subject to valid existing rights, federal lands in the backcountry areas, recreation areas, snow-vehicle corridor, and two new conservation management areas would be withdrawn from specified public-land and resource-development laws. This would close them to the listed processes for obtaining public land, establishing mining claims or obtaining mining title, and mineral leasing, mineral-materials development, and geothermal leasing.
Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land located within a backcountry area is withdrawn from— (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patent under the mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land located in the recreation areas is withdrawn from— (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patenting under the mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land within the trail corridor is withdrawn from— (1) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; (2) location, entry, and patenting under the mining laws; and (3) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
Subject to valid existing rights, all Federal land located in the conservation management areas is withdrawn from— (A) all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws; (B) location, entry, and patenting under the mining laws; and (C) operation of the mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing laws.
As soon as practicable after enactment, the Secretary would prepare maps and legal boundary descriptions for the listed restoration, recreation, winter recreation, conservation, and wilderness areas, the Rocky Mountain Front addition, and any shooting-range land described in section 401. These documents would have statutory force, with corrections allowed for typographical errors, and would be available for public inspection at appropriate agency offices.
As soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare maps and legal descriptions of— (1) the restoration areas; (2) the recreation areas; (3) the winter recreation areas; (4) any Federal land used for a shooting range on which a shooting range is established under section 205; (5) the conservation management areas; (6) the addition to the Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Management Area designated by clause (ii) of section 3065(b)(1)(B) of the Carl Levin and Howard P. Buck McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (16 U.S.C. 539r(b)(1)(B)) (as added by section 303(b)(1)); and (7) the wilderness areas.
The maps and legal descriptions prepared under subsection (a) shall have the same force and effect as if included in this section, except that the Secretary may correct typographical errors in the maps and legal descriptions.
The maps and legal descriptions prepared under subsection (a) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
The bill would preserve ownership, management, and other rights in nonfederal land. It would neither require private owners to allow public or government access nor change existing laws governing access to or use of private land.
Nothing in this Act— (1) affects the ownership, management, or other rights relating to any non-Federal land (including any interest in any non-Federal land); (2) requires any private property owner to allow public access (including Federal, State, or local government access) to private property; or (3) modifies any provision of Federal, State, or local law with respect to public access to or use of private land.
Montana’s authority and responsibilities concerning fish and wildlife would remain unchanged by the bill.
The term State means the State of Montana.
Nothing in this Act affects the jurisdiction or responsibilities of the State with respect to fish and wildlife.
The bill would preserve Tribal treaty rights, including reserved rights outside reservations, and would not affect Tribally managed lands.
Nothing in this Act alters, modifies, enlarges, diminishes, or abrogates the treaty rights of any Indian Tribe, including off-reservation reserved rights, or affects tribally managed lands.
The supplied official-actions snapshot, updated October 6, 2026, records introduction in the House and referral to the House Committee on Natural Resources on September 21, 2026. This snapshot does not establish any later legislative action or enactment.
Source snapshot updated 2026-10-06T08:05:33Z. 2026-09-21: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. 2026-09-21: Introduced in House
A closer look
Reviewed version: Introduced in House · 2026-09-21. These findings describe provisions and who may benefit; they are not judgments of waste, corruption, or motive.
This review covers the supplied bill text. “None identified” does not rule out provisions in later versions or accompanying reports and disclosures.
Provisions outside the bill’s main subject, or policy changes attached to appropriations.
None identified in the reviewed text
No unrelated provision was identified in the supplied complete introduced text. Its provisions concern the bill’s federal-land management, recreation, and conservation subject. This conclusion does not establish the absence of riders in other versions or accompanying materials.
Spending directed to particular recipients or places outside ordinary competitive or formula-based allocation.
None identified in the reviewed text
No congressionally directed spending allocation qualifying as an earmark was identified in the supplied complete introduced text. Geographic designations and conditional project authorizations alone do not establish earmarks. This conclusion is limited to this version and does not resolve formal status in absent accompanying materials.
Narrow exceptions, exemptions, or preferential treatment that warrant a closer look.
Findings to examine
The supplied introduced text contains a narrow project-specific exception within its recreation policy. Classification identifies special treatment, not improper purpose or a guaranteed outcome.
The three mapped motorized connecting trails in the Lincoln Ranger District would receive special treatment in the trail-density component of an applicable Endangered Species Act biological opinion. The Secretary would have to disregard their establishment as affecting trail density. This favors those particular trail projects within the bill’s recreation policy, while leaving the section’s general compliance requirements in place; it is not a blanket exemption from endangered-species law.
The Secretary shall not consider the establishment of three new motorized connecting trails in the areas generally depicted on the Map to impact the trail density on the Lincoln Ranger District for purposes of an applicable biological opinion prepared under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536).
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall comply with— (1) the laws (including regulations) generally applicable to the National Forest System; and (2) this Act.
Full text preserved for this analysis. Legislative record snapshot: Oct 6, 2026. How PlainBill uses AI