Comment on FR Doc # N/A

I am deeply concerned about the Department of the Interiors sweeping review of wilderness policies across the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. My comments pertain to the Management of Wilderness Study Areas (BLM-2026-0069), Considering Lands with Wilderness Characteristics (BLM-2026-0068), Management of Designated Wilderness Areas (BLM-2026-0067), Wilderness Stewardship (NPS-2026-0100), and Wilderness Administration and Resource Stewardship (FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-2575). In Montana, this review affects policies guiding management of cherished lands across the state, from Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, to the Missouri Breaks and C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, to Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and the Centennial Mountains. Managing designated Wilderness areas, Wilderness Study Areas, Recommended Wilderness, and Lands with Wilderness Characteristics to protect their wilderness character is consistent with protecting recreation - in fact, providing outstanding opportunities for primitive recreation is an integral part of wilderness under the law. These places also protect and sustain clean air, clean water, wildlife habitat, and Indigenous cultural and spiritual connections. Local communities rely on wild public lands for economic benefits from tourism and recreation, and their quality of life. I urge the Department to leave its current policies for wilderness-quality lands in place at this time. These policies provide a proven framework for protecting important public land values, supporting recreation and Tribal interests, ensuring management consistency, and maintaining the ecological, cultural, and scenic resources that make these lands unique. Sincerely, Barry Wootten