Senate Joint Resolution No. [insert number] proposes to release certain wilderness study areas in Montana from consideration for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. The resolution highlights that the Montana Wilderness Study Act of 1977 mandated a review of specific lands for their suitability as wilderness, a review period that has long since expired. It notes that many of the identified lands have not been formally recommended for wilderness designation, leading to legal ambiguities and federal litigation regarding their management. The resolution emphasizes the need for Congress to take action to release these lands, which would allow for multiple uses and better management of public resources, thereby supporting local economies reliant on agriculture and timber harvesting.

The resolution calls on Congress to enact legislation that would release all wilderness study areas and inventoried roadless areas, ensuring that these lands can be utilized for public purposes unless specifically designated as wilderness. It also urges the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate the impacts of land management alternatives on watersheds in these areas, which is crucial for informing Congress's decisions. The resolution reflects the Montana Legislature's consensus that sufficient time has passed for the study of these lands, advocating for a final resolution to their status to promote sustainable land use and management.