# Montana public lands legislation introduction

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/montana-public-lands-legislation-introduction
> Updated: 2026-09-21T19:00:00.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Montana Representative Ryan Zinke introduced the ‘A River Runs Through It Act’ (ARRTI), a public lands management package covering approximately 430,000 acres across the Blackfoot and Clearwater Valleys. The legislation seeks to balance conservation with economic interests by expanding recreation, supporting the timber industry, and mitigating wildfire risks through the designation of Forest Restoration Areas.

Following its introduction, the act received support from Missoula County. The bipartisan proposal includes provisions to add nearly 100,000 acres of Forest Service land to the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wilderness areas, as well as establishing new wilderness on Nevada Mountain. The act also proposes releasing 23,000 acres of Wilderness Study areas for broader use.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-21: River Runs Through It Act receives Missoula County support

The River Runs Through It Act seeks to balance wilderness protection with timber and recreation in Montana's Blackfoot watershed through a bipartisan land management approach.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/river-runs-through-it-act-receives-missoula-county-support

### 2026-09-09: Ryan Zinke introduces Montana public lands legislation

Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke introduced the ‘A River Runs Through It Act,’ a plan to manage 430,000 acres of public land through forest restoration, timber production, and wildfire risk reduction.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ryan-zinke-introduces-montana-public-lands-legislation

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Cite as: Montana public lands legislation introduction. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/montana-public-lands-legislation-introduction