Court rules in favor of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest's 2021 Land Management Plan

HELENA, Mont. – Nov. 17, 2023 – Montana District Court Judge Donald W. Molloy ruled in favor of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest on a legal challenge brought forward by Helena Hunters and Angler's Association, Western Watersheds Project, the Sierra Club and WildEarth Guardians to the Forest's 2021 Land Management Plan. The case focused on wildlife claims under the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act.

"We are glad the court recognizes the Forest Service's responsibility and right to revise land management plans based on the latest science and changing conditions on the ground," said Forest Supervisor Emily Platt. "It's great to see acknowledgement from the Montana District Court that we are protecting threatened and endangered species through our new plan. We look forward to implementing the plan to proactively address wildfire issues, restore forests, and continue to provide hunting, recreation, and other uses the public enjoys across this incredible landscape."

The Forest's 2021 Land Management Plan provides forest-wide direction for desired conditions over the next 15 years and takes into consideration social, economic and ecological sustainability of the land and the multiple uses of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. A desired condition is a description of specific social, economic, and/or ecological characteristics of the planning area, or a portion of the planning area, toward which management of the land and resources should be directed.

Visit: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest - Planning (usda.gov) to learn more about the 2021 Forest Plan for the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Visit: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest - Projects (usda.gov) to learn more about our upcoming projects to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the Helena-Lewis and Clark

National Forest.