Rocky Mountain Heritage Act Moves Forward In Congress

Montana Outfitters and Guides Association is pleased with recent Senate action that has ensured the passage of the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act. In Senate action taken yesterday, the Heritage Act is one step closer to becoming law and we applaud the bipartisan effort that has brought this landmark legislation forward.

Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act: Adds approximately 67,000 acres to the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness Areas and designates roughly 208,000 acres of adjacent federal land as a Conservation Management Area. The bill protects existing agricultural uses, prohibits management of a buffer zone to the Conservation Management Area, and protects valid and existing mineral rights. Additionally, the bill will release the Buffalo Creek and Zook Creek Wilderness Study Areas, approximately 14,000 acres. Finally, the bill would require a new assessment of oil and gas potential in the Bridge Coulee and Musselshell Breaks Wilderness Study Areas.

The Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act coupled with further improvements to be made in the 114th Congress as well as the newly enacted Grazing Improvement Act will ensure grazers long-term certainty they need to continue ranching along the Rocky Mountain Front.

The passage of the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act is the culmination of hard work done by local stakeholders dedicated to conserving a cherished area in Montana and will mark the first time since 1983 new areas have been added to the Wilderness Preservation System.

“With the Rocky Mountain Front Heritage Act and the North Fork Watershed Protection Act enacted, Senator-elect Daines, Senators Walsh and Tester have demonstrated leadership and a willingness to work in a bipartisan manner to increase multiple-use and responsible natural resource development in Montana. Passage of the Heritage Act marks the first time new wilderness has been aided by a Montana Republican Representative in Congress” said Mac Minard, Executive Director of the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association.

Of the recent action Minard went on to say, “We are delighted with the outcome and appreciate the work of so many who have made this day possible. Senator-elect Daines decision to support passage of the Rocky Mountain Heritage Act, once long-term grazing concerns were addressed, was pivotal and we applaud him for his leadership on this and the North Fork Watershed Protection Act.”