GYRA Proposal:

The GYRA is based on the recommendations of the Gallatin Forest Partnership (GFP), a collaborative group that influenced the revision of the Custer Gallatin National Forest Plan.

The proposed legislation would designate 124,000 acres as Wilderness, which is only a fraction of the 230,000 acres that are eligible for such designation. The act fragments the wilderness study areas and adjacent wildlands into different designations that allow for various levels of conservation and recreation.

The GYRA would override the Forest Plan, the National Forest Management Act, and the 2012 Planning Rule, potentially leading to increased fragmentation of the ecosystem, degradation of wildlife habitats, and the proliferation of recreation activities that could harm ecological integrity.

Concerns and Criticisms:

The analysis criticizes the GYRA for not sufficiently protecting the wilderness character of the area, particularly by allowing activities such as mountain biking, logging, and high-intensity recreation in areas critical for wildlife.

The act is seen as favoring recreation over conservation, with a significant portion of the landscape being opened up to activities that could threaten species like grizzly bears, elk, and wolverines.

The proposed designations under the GYRA are considered inadequate for maintaining the area's ecological integrity and could lead to increased human-wildlife conflicts and habitat fragmentation.
Environmental and Legislative Implications:

The GYRA fails to address the impacts of climate change on the ecosystem. It also sets a concerning precedent for the management of National Forests, where legislation driven by collaborative groups may override scientific management principles and public involvement, ultimately compromising the public trust and the integrity of the National Forest System.